Nanotechnology is a field of applied science and technology .The important thing is the control of matter on a scale smaller than 1 micrometer, normally between 1-100 nanometers, as well as the fabrication of devices on this same length scale. It is a multidisciplinary field, drawing from fields such as colloidal science, device physics, and chemistry as well.
The term "nanotechnology" was defined by Tokyo Science University Professor Norio Taniguchi in a 1974 paper (N. Taniguchi, "On the Basic Concept of 'Nano-Technology'," Proc. Intl. Conf. Prod. Eng. Tokyo, Part II, Japan Society of Precision Engineering, 1974.) as follows:
"'Nano-technology' mainly consists of the processing of, separation, consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom or one molecule."
A unique aspect of nanotechnology is the vastly increased ratio of surface
area to volume present in many nanoscale materials which opens new possibilities
in surface-based science.
Although there has been much hype about the potential applications of
nanotechnology, most current commercialized applications are limited to the use
of "first generation" passive nanomaterials. These include titanium dioxide
nanoparticles in sunscreen, cosmetics and some food products; silver
nanoparticles in food packaging, clothing, disinfectants and household
appliances; zinc oxide nanoparticles in suncreens and cosmetics, surface
coatings, paints and outdoor furniture varnishes; and cerium oxide nanoparticles
as a fuel catalyst. The Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars'
Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies hosts an inventory of consumer products
which now contain nanomaterials.