A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter or three to five atoms in width. It would take approximately 40,000 nanometers lined up in a row to equal the width of a human hair.
Nanomaterials are chemical substances or materials that are manufactured and used at a very small scale. Nanomaterials are developed to exhibit novel characteristics compared to the same material without nanoscale features, such as increased strength, chemical reactivity or conductivity.
NanoEngineering is an interdisciplinary science that builds with nanomaterials. This is possible by utilizing basic biochemical processes at the atomic or molecular level. In simple terms, molecules interact through natural processes, and NanoEngineering takes advantage of those processes by direct manipulation.
Nanotechnology is used in almost every industry but the main application of nanotechnology is in:
- Cars and vehicles – find out how here >>
- Shipbuilding – find out more here >>
- Aerospace and defence – find out more here >>
- Food and drinks – find out more here >>
- Textiles – find out more here >>
