Nanotechnology “nanotech” is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. A nanometer (nm) is one-billionth of a meter, a hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair. Nanotech works with materials, devices, and other structures with at least one dimension between 1 to 100 nanometres. Exploring nanotechnology is so new, no one is really sure what will come of it.
Nanotech is so fascinating as the behavior of substances at the nanoscale often challenges common sense. A human cannot walk up to a wall and immediately teleport to the other side of it, but an electron can. Substances that are insulators may become semiconductors at the nanoscale and melting points can change due to an increase in surface area. Even appearance can change, a good example being nanoscale gold particles which can appear red or purple. Much of nanoscience requires that you forget what you know and start learning all over again.
Products that currently use nanotech include water purification bottles that create safe drinking water even from filthy sources; lighter and stronger military equipment; bacteria, dirt and scratch resistant surfaces; stain, water and wrinkle-proof clothing; self-cleaning glass and antitimicrobial bandages.
Nanotech is expected to play a major role in medicine and longevity in the future. Nanorobots that go into the blood stream can be created to eradicate pathogens and cancer. They could also be programmed to perform cosmetic surgery, rearranging your atoms to change your appearance. There is even speculation that nanorobots could slow or reverse the aging process. Nanotech also has the potential to have a positive effect on the environment. For instance, airborne nanorobots could rebuild the thinning ozone layer or remove contaminants from water sources and clean up oil spills.