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Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the design and development of devices at extremely small (1 to 100 nm) scales. Nanotechnology is also known by other names like molecular manufacturing and is often used in relation with the field of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). In nanotechnology, devices range from 1 to 100 nanometers in size. It may be noted that 1 nanometer is equal to one-billionth of a meter. At these extremely small dimensions, principles of Newtonian physics are not applicable. Instead, quantum physics takes over.
The term “nanotechnology” was coined by Eric Drexler, an eminent physicist who wrote “Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology”. Drexler took inspiration from Richard Feynman’s lecture “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”. Richard Feynman is considered one of the greatest physicists of modern times.
In the coming few years, nanotechnology is going create many new developments. It is going to revolutionize our lives like no other development in the past. The applications of nanotechnology are limitless. Many field like medicine, computers, robotics and artificial inteligence are going to greatly benefit from nanotechnology.
More information on nanotechnology
Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials or nanocrystalline materials are materials with grain sizes in the order of nanometers. The term nanomaterials may also refer to the study of the behaviour and properties of these materials. Nanomaterials show interesting properties. These properties can be used in many structural and non-structural applications.
Scientists Associated with nanotechnology
- K. Eric Drexler
- Richard Feynman
- Herald Fuchs
- Sumio Iijima
- Harold Kroto
- Richard Smalley
