Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with structures sized between 1 to 100 nanometers in at least one dimension, and involves developing or modifying materials or devices within that size. At this scale, quantum mechanical effects play a significant role, and materials often exhibit unique physical, chemical, and biological properties that differ from their bulk counterparts.
The concepts that seeded nanotechnology were first discussed in 1959 by renowned physicist Richard Feynman in his talk "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom," where he described the possibility of synthesis via direct manipulation of atoms. The term "nanotechnology" was first used by Norio Taniguchi in 1974. The field gained prominence in the 1980s with the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and the atomic force microscope (AFM), which allowed scientists to see and manipulate individual atoms.
Nanotechnology has pervasive applications across medicine, electronics, energy, and materials science. In medicine (nanomedicine), nanoparticles are used for targeted drug delivery and imaging. In electronics, it enables faster, smaller transistors and memory devices. In energy, it improves the efficiency of solar panels and batteries. Consumer products like stain-resistant clothing and lighter tennis rackets also utilize nanomaterials. The field continues to expand with research into nanorobotics and molecular manufacturing.