Nanotech Companies

In 1974, Professor Norio Taniguchi, of Tokyo Science University, first defined the term "nanotechnology" as the "processing, separation, consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom or one molecule."  More broadly, nanotechnology is used to create structures on a scale below 100 nanometers, making possible the rapid development of technological advances on the molecular scale.

This field is becoming increasingly important with the rapidly changing electronics and mechanical industries.  As products become smaller, the challenges in design and manufacturing rise rapidly.  With this technology, currently cumbersome mechanical devices in fields as diverse as biotechnology, medicine, electronics, and others will be replaced with sophisticated microscopic devices capable of doing things that are only imagined today.  As nanotechnology develops, new products are brought to market that are more user friendly, portable, and flexible in their applications.  In a general sense, nanotechnology has the same effect on mechanical devices that advanced miniaturization in electronics has had on super computers, enabling them to shrink to the size of a laptop or PDA.  It is expected that the nanotech field will continue its dramatic growth for the foreseeable future.

The directory of nanotechnology companies listed on Nanotech Now and the representative nanotech companies listed below exemplify business and research trends in this exciting field.

Nanotech Companies

• IBM Research
  
  IBM's nanotech research aims to devise new atomic-scale and molecular-scale structures and devices for enhancing information technologies, as well as discover and understand their scientific foundations.
  Domino.Research.IBM.com
• Nanomix
  
  This California-based company works to develop and commercialize new products made from nanoscale materials and components.
  www.Nano.com
• Versilant
  
  Pioneering the invention, development, and production of nanotechnology-based materials.
  www.Versilant.com
• Zyvex
  
  Molecular nanotechnology company with applications in the areas of materials, tools, and structures.
  www.Zyvex.com

Nanotechnology Resources

• National Nanotechnology Initiative
  
  Multi-agency framework to ensure U.S. leadership in nanotechnology.
  www.Nano.gov
• Nanotech Project
  
  The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is dedicated to helping ensure that risks are minimized, public and consumer engagement remains strong, and potential benefits are realized as nanotechnologies continue to advance.
  www.NanotechProject.org

Related Nanotech Resource

• Nanotechnology Investing - government and academic nanotechnology investing.

Nanotech Companies - Guide to Nanotechnology Companies