ICSTI Statement on Nanotechnology - Forfás

3.0 NANOTECHNOLOGY
3.1 Definition
Following extensive consultation; and with reference to
international best practice, it was agreed the following national
definition of nanotechnology be adopted:
Nanotechnology is a collective term for a set of tools and techniques
that permit the atoms and molecules that comprise all matter to be
imaged and manipulated. Using these tools and techniques it is
possible to exploit the size-dependent properties of materials
structured on the sub-100 nanometer scale, which may be assembled
and organised to yield nanodevices and nanosystems that possess
new or improved properties. These tools and techniques, materials,
devices and systems present companies in all sectors of the Irish
economy with opportunities to enhance their competitiveness by
developing new and improved products and processes.
[One nanometer (1 nm = 10 -9 m), to give an idea of scale, would be
around 80,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.]
To place the above definition in a global context, we have included
as Appendix III definitions currently in use in the United States of
America, Japan and the European Union.
3.2 Illustration
A number of applications of nanotechnology are discussed in order
to illustrate the terms used in the above definition.
The last decade has seen the emergence of a consolidated global
sector supplying a growing number of inexpensive and reliable
nanotools to scientists and engineers in academia and industry.
Using these nanotools it is possible to image and manipulate the
individual atoms and molecules that make up all matter.
One such nanotool is the Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM).
This tool uses a conducting tip to probe the surface. Briefly, the
conducting tip is held close to the conducting surface to be
imaged, and electrons flow between the tip and surface. The tip is
very sharp, ideally being formed by a single atom. The tip is raised
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