ScienceJuly 14, 2026

nanotechnology

/ˌnænoʊtɛkˈnɒlədʒi/

Definition

The branch of technology that deals with the engineering and manipulation of matter on an atomic or molecular scale.

Etymology

The word is a hybrid construction combining the Greek-derived prefix 'nano-' (from 'nanos', meaning 'dwarf') with 'technology'. It emerged in the late 20th century to describe the nascent field of designing functional structures at the nanometer scale.

In the news

In this article, nanotechnology refers to the precise construction of 2D material stacks at an atomic level to develop faster, more reliable electronic components. The authors emphasize that managing contamination at this tiny scale is a primary challenge for advancing the field.

Scientists unveil technique to build ultra-thin material stacks that promise quantum breakthrough

Read the full article ↗

EurekAlert!

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