Overview of Nanotechnology and its applications

Nanotechnology, shortened to "nanotech", is the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with structures of the size 100 nanometers or smaller in at least one dimension, and involves developing materials or devices within that size.
With nanotechnology, a large set of materials and improved products rely on a change in the physical properties when the feature sizes are shrunk.

Nanotechnology Applications in Medicine
The biological and medical research communities have exploited the unique properties of nanomaterials for various applications. Terms such as biomedical nanotechnology, nanobiotechnology, and nanomedicine are used to describe this hybrid field.
- Nanotechnology-on-a-chip is one more dimension of lab-on-a-chip technology.
- Nanotechnology has been a boom in medical field by delivering drugs to specific cells using nano-particles.
- Nanotechnology can help to reproduce or to repair damaged tissue. “Tissue engineering” makes use of artificially stimulated cell proliferation by using suitable nanomaterial-based scaffolds and growth factors.

Nanotechnology Applications in Electronics
Nanotechnology holds some answers for how we might increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption.

Nanotechnology Applications in Space
Advancements in nanomaterials make lightweight solar sails and a cable for the space elevator possible. By significantly reducing the amount of rocket fuel required, these advances could lower the cost of reaching orbit and traveling in space. In addition, new materials combined with nanosensors and nanorobots could improve the performance of spaceships, spacesuits, and the equipment used to explore planets and moons, making nanotechnology an important part of the ‘final frontier.’

Nanotechnology Applications in Food
Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how food is grown to how it is packaged. Companies are developing nanomaterials that will make a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food safety, and the health benefits that food delivers.