1. What is nanoscience?
The word itself is a combination of nano, from the Greek “nanos” (or Latin “nanus”), meaning “Dwarf”, and
the word "Science."
Nano refers to the 10-9 power, or one billionth. In these terms it refers to a meter, or a nanometer, which is
on the scale of atomic diameters. For comparison, a human hair is about 100,000 nanometers thick!
Nanoscience is the study of atoms, molecules, and objects whose size is on the nanometer scale ( 1 - 100
nanometers ).
Why is nanoscience suddenly becoming such a big field?
There are multiple reasons for this. One is availability of new instruments able to “see” and "touch" at this
scale. In the early 1980’s the scanning tunneling microscope was invented at IBM-Zurich in Switzerland.
This was the first instrument that was able to “see” atoms. A few years later, the Atomic Force Microscope
was invented, expanding the capabilities and types of materials that could be investigated. Hence, Scanning
Probe Microscopy was born, and since then multiple similar techniques have evolved from these
instruments to “see” different properties at the nanometer scale. In addition, “older” techniques such as
electron microscopy have continued to evolve as well, and now can image in the nanometer range.
Currently, there are a large number of complementary instruments that help scientists in the nano realm.
In addition to the enabling technologies, scientists have realized the future potential of this research. By
convincing politicians and leaders around the world, countries have instituted initiatives to promote
nanoscience and nanotechnology in their universities and labs. With the recent increase in funding, many
scientists are pursuing this research and the rate of discovery has increased dramatically.