Word
nanotechnology
US/ˌnænoʊˌtɛkˈnɑɫəˌdʒi/
UK/nˌænəʊtɛknˈɒlədʒi/
Definition
n. the science of building things at a very tiny scale, using individual atoms and molecules. It is used to create new materials and smaller, faster electronics.
n. the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometres, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. Often involves the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale.
Examples
“Scientists use nanotechnology to create stronger and lighter materials.”
“Advances in nanotechnology have allowed medical researchers to develop targeted drug delivery systems that only attack cancer cells.”
“The integration of nanotechnology into semiconductor manufacturing has enabled the production of processors with billions of transistors, drastically increasing computing power while reducing energy consumption.”
Examples
simple
“Scientists use nanotechnology to create stronger and lighter materials.”
contextual
“Advances in nanotechnology have allowed medical researchers to develop targeted drug delivery systems that only attack cancer cells.”
complex
“The integration of nanotechnology into semiconductor manufacturing has enabled the production of processors with billions of transistors, drastically increasing computing power while reducing energy consumption.”
Real-World Examples
Common in science writing
“In micro- and nanotechnology, highly precise components with tall, narrow structures (high aspect ratios) made from semiconductor materials like silicon are important.” “These synthetic systems, often called nanoreactors, bring together ideas from cell biology and nanotechnology.” Etymology
Formed from the Greek nannos, meaning dwarf, and the existing term technology. The specific compound was coined by Norio Taniguchi in 1974.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.