Definitions of
Nano is the scientific term meaning one-billionth (1/1,000,000,000). It comes from a Greek word meaning dwarf.
A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. At this size, the size of atoms and molecules, materials take on new properties. Nanoscientists study and make very tiny, nanometer-sized things making possible new applications that could alter everyday items, from the clothes we wear to the cars we drive. Nanotechnology is already influencing medical treatments, energy efficiency, and more. Like any new technology, nanotechnology has risks and benefits.
Nanoscale refers to measurements of 1 – 100 nanometers. A virus is about 70 nm long. A cell membrane is about 9 nm thick. Ten hydrogen atoms are about 1 nm. At the nanoscale, many common materials exhibit unusual properties, such as remarkably lower resistance to electricity, or faster chemical reactions.
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of material at the nanoscale to take advantage of these properties. This often means working with individual molecules. Nanoscience, nanoengineering and other such terms refer to those activities applied to the nanoscale. "Nano," by itself, is often used as short-hand to refer to any or all of these activities.
