Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field of science and engineering that deals with the design, fabrication, and application of materials and devices at the nanometer scale (1 nanometer = 10−9 meter). At this scale, materials exhibit unique physical, chemical, and biological properties that are significantly different from their bulk counterparts.
The nanoscale typically ranges from 1 nm to 100 nm. To understand how small this is:
At the nanoscale, quantum effects and surface effects become dominant, leading to novel material behavior.
Nanotechnology enables scientists and engineers to manipulate matter at the atomic and molecular levels, resulting in improved performance, efficiency, and functionality of materials and devices.
In this approach, larger structures are gradually reduced to nanoscale dimensions using techniques such as lithography, milling, or etching.
Example: Fabrication of nano-electronic circuits.
This approach builds nanostructures atom by atom or molecule by molecule through self-assembly or chemical synthesis.
Example: Growth of nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes.
Nanomaterials possess remarkable properties that differ from bulk materials due to quantum confinement and increased surface-to-volume ratio.