Nanotech, short for nanotechnology, refers to technological developments
on the nanometer scale, usually in the range of 0.1 to 100
nanometers. One nanometer is equal to one-thousandth of a micrometer
or one-millionth of a millimeter. At this microscopic size, physical
phenomena such as quantum mechanics size effects and Van der Waals force
effects are observed, which are not observed on the macroscopic scale.
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.
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
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