ICSTI Statement on Nanotechnology - Forfás

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2. What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is like Lego on an atomic scale;
It concerns the application of materials science and
engineering to the design and control of matter on the
atomic scale. The term nano derives from the nanometre
(nm), which is one billionth of a metre. To put this scale in
context a human hair is about 80,000 nm wide!
Properties of a structure are dependent on the size of its
constituent particles. It is now possible to manipulate these
properties by controlling size and build structures that have
specific properties designed in from the atomic scale. For
example, carbon nanotubes as a structural material have a
stiffness and tensile strength far superior to the strongest
steels. Nanotubes have better thermal conduction properties
than diamond and superior performance in conductivity to
copper.
Nanotechnology is a collective term for a set of
technologies, techniques and processes rather than a
discrete area of science or technology. It is multidisciplinary,
drawing on chemistry, physics, biology, materials science and
engineering.
Nanotechnology is a pervasive, disruptive and truly enabling
technology. It will displace some existing methods of
production and facilitate the development of new products
across most industry sectors. As a consequence it has enormous
potential to provide many commercial opportunities in the
short to medium term particularly in the Engineering,
Electronics and Biotechnology/Healthcare sectors.
2.1 Nanotechnology – a new approach to fabrication
In manufacturing terms there are currently two approaches to
fabricating products; (1) from the top down, by cutting,
machining etc. until the desired shape is achieved, or (2) from
the bottom up, by manipulating individual atoms/molecules to
form larger functional assemblies (atomic Lego).