Nanotech Terms Glossary: Nanotech Terms in 2024
A
Afm
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a microscopy technique that uses a nanoscale probe to scan surfaces and measure forces at the atomic scale.
B
Bio-Nanotechnology
Bio-nanotechnology combines biological and nanoscale concepts to create new materials, devices, and applications for areas such as medicine and environmental monitoring.
Biosensors
Biosensors are devices that combine a biological component with a transducer to detect and analyze biological analytes.
Bottom-Up Approach
Bottom-up approach refers to a fabrication method where materials or structures are built from atomic or molecular components, gradually assembling them into the desired nanostructures.
Bottom-Up Fabrication
Bottom-up fabrication involves building nanostructures by assembling individual atoms or molecules.
Bottom-Up Nanofabrication
Bottom-Up Nanofabrication is a method of creating nanoscale structures by assembling or growing them from smaller components or molecules, utilizing self-assembly or chemical synthesis.
C
Carbon Nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical structures made of carbon atoms arranged in a tube-like fashion; they possess exceptional mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties.
D
Dendrimer
Dendrimers are highly branched synthetic macromolecules with well-defined structures, offering precise control over molecular size and shape, and finding applications in drug delivery and nanotechnology.
Dendrimers
Dendrimers are highly branched macromolecules that exhibit unique properties, such as controlled size and shape.
Dip-Pen Nanolithography
Dip-pen nanolithography is a high-resolution patterning technique that uses an atomic force microscope tip to draw nanoscale features.
Dna Nanotechnology
DNA nanotechnology involves the design and construction of nanoscale structures using DNA molecules as building blocks, with applications in targeted drug delivery and nanoelectronics.
Dna Origami
DNA origami is a technique that uses DNA molecules as a scaffold to fold and self-assemble into specified 2D or 3D structures with nanometer-scale precision.
F
Fullerene
Fullerene is a molecule composed entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a hollow sphere or tube, known for unique properties and potential applications.
Fullerenes
Fullerenes are carbon-based molecules consisting of closed cages or tubes, with various applications in nanotechnology, including drug delivery and electronics.
G
Graphene
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, known for its exceptional strength and conductivity.
H
Hybrid Nanomaterials
Hybrid nanomaterials are composite materials that combine different types of nanoscale components, such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, or nanowires, to achieve synergistic properties and versatile applications.
M
Mems
Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) refers to miniaturized devices or systems that integrate mechanical and electrical components at the micrometer scale.
Molecular Nanotechnology
Molecular Nanotechnology aims to create functional materials and devices by manipulating individual molecules and atoms, often using tools such as scanning probe microscopes.
N
Nano-Electronics
Nano-electronics involves the design, fabrication, and application of electronic devices on the nanoscale.
Nano-Optics
Nano-optics involves the study and manipulation of light at the nanoscale, enabling applications such as enhanced imaging resolution, nanoscale lasers, and optical data storage.
Nanobiosensors
Nanobiosensors are devices that integrate nanotechnology and biosensing principles, allowing the detection and analysis of biological molecules or processes at the nanoscale.
Nanobiotechnology
Nanobiotechnology combines nanotechnology and biology to create devices, materials, or systems for applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, or biological research.
Nanobubbles
Nanobubbles are tiny gas-filled cavities formed at the solid-liquid interface with diameters on the nanometer scale, exhibiting unique properties and applications in areas such as water treatment and nanomedicine.
Nanocapsules
Nanocapsules are nanoparticles with a hollow core, often used for encapsulating and delivering drugs, nutrients, or other functional payloads.
Nanocatalysis
Nanocatalysis involves the use of nanomaterials as catalysts to enhance chemical reactions, providing higher efficiency and selectivity compared to conventional catalysts.
Nanochannels
Nanochannels are tiny channels or conduits on the nanoscale, often used for controlling fluid flow, separating molecules, or creating miniature lab-on-a-chip devices.
Nanocomposites
Nanocomposites are materials that combine nanoparticles or nanofillers with a matrix material, resulting in enhanced mechanical, thermal, electrical, or barrier properties compared to the pure matrix material.
Nanocomputing
Nanocomputing involves the use of nanoscale components or materials to create computing systems with high performance, low power consumption, or novel architectures.
Nanoelectromechanical Systems (Nems)
Nanoelectromechanical Systems (NEMS) are devices or systems that merge electronics with mechanical elements at the nanoscale, enabling applications such as sensors, actuators, or resonators.
Nanoelectronics
Nanoelectronics involves the design, fabrication, and application of nanoscale electronic components, such as transistors and nanowires, for improved performance and miniaturization.
Nanoengineering
Nanoengineering involves designing and manipulating materials and devices at the nanoscale to create new functionalities and applications.
Nanofabric Sensors
Nanofabric sensors are nanoscale devices or systems designed to detect and measure physical, chemical, or biological phenomena, offering high sensitivity and selectivity.
Nanofabrication
Nanofabrication is the process of creating nanoscale structures and devices using techniques such as lithography, etching, and deposition.
Nanofabrication Techniques
Nanofabrication Techniques encompass a variety of methods used to create nanoscale structures and devices, including techniques such as chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or nanoscale 3D printing.
Nanofiltration
Nanofiltration is a type of water or liquid filtration process that utilizes nanoscale pores or membranes to separate and purify substances based on size or charge.
Nanofiltration Membranes
Nanofiltration Membranes are specialized membranes with nanoscale pores that selectively separate and purify substances based on size or charge, used in applications such as water treatment or desalination.
Nanoflakes
Nanoflakes are thin, nanoscale flakes or sheets of material, often used in applications such as energy storage devices or catalysts.
Nanofluidics
Nanofluidics is the study of fluid behavior at the nanoscale, including the manipulation and control of fluids within nanoscale channels or devices.
Nanofluids
Nanofluids are liquids that contain suspended nanoparticles, often engineered to enhance heat transfer, lubrication, or optical properties.
Nanoframes
Nanoframes are hollow, nanoscale structures with frame-like shapes, often made of metals or metal oxides, offering potential applications in catalysis or energy storage.
Nanogaps
Nanogaps are tiny gaps or spaces on the nanoscale, often utilized in nanoelectronics or plasmonic devices to confine and control electromagnetic fields.
Nanogenerators
Nanogenerators are devices that convert mechanical, thermal, or other forms of energy into electrical energy at the nanoscale, offering potential for self-powered nanosystems.
Nanografting
Nanografting is a technique used to manipulate and transfer individual molecules or nanometer-scale structures with high precision, enabling the creation of custom nanoscale patterns.
Nanograss
Nanograss refers to a dense array of vertically aligned, nanoscale structures resembling grass, often used to enhance light trapping, surface wetting, or energy harvesting in various applications.
Nanoimaging
Nanoimaging refers to various techniques used to visualize and study materials and structures at the nanoscale.
Nanoimprint Lithography
Nanoimprint Lithography is a technique for creating nanoscale patterns by pressing a mold into a soft material, followed by hardening the material and removing the mold.
Nanolabels
Nanolabels are small labels or tags, often based on nanoscale materials, used for tracking or detecting specific targets, such as biomolecules, in applications like biosensing or anti-counterfeiting.
Nanolaser
Nanolasers are extremely small lasers that emit light on the nanoscale, utilizing various nanoscale materials and structures as gain media.
Nanolasers
Nanolasers are ultra-compact lasers with dimensions on the nanoscale, offering low-power and energy-efficient light sources for various applications, including data storage and optical computing.
Nanolenses
Nanolenses are optical devices or structures that can focus or manipulate light at the nanoscale, often composed of arrays of nanoscale features with periodic spacing.
Nanolithography
Nanolithography is the process of patterning or engraving nanoscale features on a surface using masks or direct writing techniques, typically used in semiconductor manufacturing.
Nanolithography Techniques
Nanolithography Techniques encompass various methods used to create nanoscale patterns or structures, including techniques such as electron beam lithography, nanoimprint lithography, or interference lithography.
Nanolubricants
Nanolubricants are lubricants that incorporate nanoscale additives or nanoparticles, improving the lubricating properties and reducing friction and wear in various mechanical systems.
Nanomanipulation
Nanomanipulation involves the precise handling, positioning, and assembly of nanoscale objects or components, often using specialized tools and techniques.
Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials are materials with structures, properties, or behaviors that emerge at the nanoscale, offering unique characteristics and often enabling novel applications.
Nanomaterials Characterization
Nanomaterials characterization involves analyzing and understanding the structure, composition, and properties of nanomaterials using various techniques, such as electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and microscopy.
Nanomedicine
Nanomedicine refers to the use of nanotechnology in medicine, allowing for targeted drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics at the molecular level.
Nanomembranes
Nanomembranes are extremely thin, nanoscale membranes with unique properties, often used in applications such as filtration, separation, or electronic components.
Nanomotors
Nanomotors are tiny motors or machines that operate at the nanoscale, often utilizing chemical, electrical, or light-driven propulsion mechanisms.
Nanomuscle
Nanomuscle refers to a nanoscale actuator or muscle-like component that can undergo shape changes or mechanical movements triggered by external stimuli, such as temperature or electric fields.
Nanoparticle
A nanoparticle is a particle with dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers, exhibiting unique properties due to their small size.
Nanoparticle Synthesis
Nanoparticle synthesis involves the creation and control of nanoparticles through various techniques, such as chemical precipitation, sol-gel, or vapor condensation.
Nanoparticle Tracking
Nanoparticle tracking is a technique used to monitor and analyze individual nanoparticles in solution, providing information on size, concentration, and motion.
Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are particles with dimensions on the nanoscale, often engineered to have specific properties for various applications, such as drug delivery or catalysis.
Nanopatch
Nanopatch refers to a tiny, needle-free patch or device that can deliver vaccines or drugs directly into the skin, offering advantages such as painless and needle-free administration.
Nanopatterning
Nanopatterning is the process of creating patterns or features on the nanoscale, often for applications in electronics, photonics, or data storage.
Nanopatterning Techniques
Nanopatterning Techniques are methods used to create patterns on the nanoscale, including techniques such as electron beam lithography, nanoimprint lithography, or block copolymer lithography.
Nanopharmaceutics
Nanopharmaceutics is the application of nanotechnology in pharmaceutical science, focusing on the design, development, and delivery of novel drug formulations at the nanoscale.
Nanophotonics
Nanophotonics is the study and manipulation of light at the nanoscale, enabling the development of devices such as nanoscale lasers, optical circuits, and sensors.
Nanophysics
Nanophysics is the branch of physics that focuses on the behavior and properties of materials, systems, and phenomena at the nanoscale, offering insights into the unique nature of matter at this scale.
Nanophysiology
Nanophysiology is the study of physiological processes and interactions at the nanoscale, essential for understanding biological phenomena and developing targeted therapies.
Nanopiezotronics
Nanopiezotronics is a field that combines nanotechnology with piezoelectric materials to develop devices that can convert mechanical strain or stress into electrical signals or energy.
Nanopillars
Nanopillars are vertically aligned, nanoscale structures that can be used to enhance light absorption, improve catalytic reactions, or act as templates for nanowire growth.
Nanoplasmonics
Nanoplasmonics is the study and manipulation of the collective oscillations of electrons, known as plasmons, in nanostructured materials, enabling applications in sensing, imaging, and energy conversion.
Nanopore Membranes
Nanopore membranes are thin films with nanoscale pores that can selectively filter or separate molecules based on size.
Nanopore Sensors
Nanopore Sensors are devices that utilize nanopores to detect and analyze molecules, such as DNA, proteins, or ions, based on changes in electrical signals as they pass through the nanopore.
Nanopore Sequencing
Nanopore Sequencing is a DNA sequencing technique that involves threading individual DNA or RNA strands through a nanopore, allowing for rapid and portable sequencing.
Nanoporous
Nanoporous materials have pores or cavities at the nanoscale, offering high surface area and potential applications in filtration and catalysis.
Nanoprinting
Nanoprinting is the process of printing or depositing nanoscale patterns, structures, or materials onto a substrate using techniques such as inkjet printing, nano-transfer printing, or direct-write lithography.
Nanopumping
Nanopumping is the process of moving or transporting fluids at the nanoscale, often utilizing physical or chemical mechanisms to generate flow through nanochannels or nanoscale pumps.
Nanorobotics
Nanorobotics refers to the field of creating robotic devices or machines at the nanoscale, typically working at the molecular level for tasks like targeted drug delivery or nanoscale assembly.
Nanorobots
Nanorobots are nanoscale devices or machines that can perform specific tasks, such as drug delivery, sensing, or assembly, with precise control and manipulation at the nanoscale.
Nanorod
A nanorod is a nanoscale structure with a rod-like shape, exhibiting unique physical and optical properties.
Nanorods
Nanorods are elongated nanoparticles with a high aspect ratio, often used in applications such as sensors, drug delivery, or as building blocks for more complex nanostructures.
Nanosatellites
Nanosatellites, also known as CubeSats, are small satellites with nanoscale dimensions, offering cost-effective solutions for space exploration and communication.
Nanoscale
Nanoscale refers to the size range of approximately 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique physical and chemical properties emerge.
Nanoscale Interfaces
Nanoscale Interfaces are boundaries between different materials or phases at the nanoscale, often exhibiting unique properties or behaviors compared to the bulk materials.
Nanosensors
Nanosensors are miniature sensors that utilize nanoscale materials or structures to detect and measure physical, chemical, or biological phenomena with high sensitivity and specificity.
Nanostructured Coatings
Nanostructured coatings are thin films or layers with a specific nanostructured surface, offering improved properties such as hardness, wear resistance, or self-cleaning capabilities.
Nanostructured Materials
Nanostructured materials have a specific structure at the nanoscale, offering unique properties and applications in areas such as energy storage and catalysis.
Nanostructured Surfaces
Nanostructured surfaces have specific patterns or features on the nanoscale that modify surface properties, such as wetting or adhesion.
Nanosurgery
Nanosurgery refers to the use of nanoscale tools or techniques for precise surgical procedures at the cellular or molecular level, offering potential advancements in medical treatments.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the science, engineering, and application of materials and devices with structures, properties, and behaviors characterized by nanoscale dimensions.
Nanotechnology Roadmap
A nanotechnology roadmap is a strategic plan or framework that outlines the goals, milestones, and direction of nanotechnology research and development.
Nanotheranostics
Nanotheranostics refer to the integration of therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities into a single nanoscale platform, enabling personalized medicine approaches and improved treatment efficacy.
Nanotoxicology
Nanotoxicology is the study of the potential toxic effects of nanoparticles and nanomaterials on living organisms, including their impact on health and the environment.
Nanotribology
Nanotribology is the study of friction, wear, and lubrication at the nanoscale, exploring the behavior and interactions of surfaces or materials with nanometer-scale features.
Nanotweezers
Nanotweezers are nanoscale devices or tools capable of manipulating or trapping particles, molecules, or cells with high precision and control.
Nanowelding
Nanowelding is the process of joining or bonding nanoscale materials or structures together, often utilizing heat, pressure, or chemical reactions at the nanoscale.
Nanowires
Nanowires are nanoscale wires with diameters typically ranging from a few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers, offering potential applications in electronics, sensors, and energy conversion.
Nanowrinkles
Nanowrinkles are surface patterns or wrinkles at the nanoscale, often formed through the introduction of compressive stress, offering unique optical, mechanical, or adhesive properties.
Nems
NEMS (Nanoelectromechanical Systems) are devices that combine electrical and mechanical components on the nanometer scale.
Nemsensor
Nemsensor refers to nanoelectromechanical sensors, which integrate nanoscale mechanical components, such as cantilevers or beams, with sensing elements to detect and analyze various parameters.
P
Photolithography
Photolithography is a technique used in nanofabrication to transfer patterns onto a substrate using light and photosensitive materials.
Plasmonic Nanomaterials
Plasmonic Nanomaterials are nanoscale materials that exhibit unique optical properties due to their interactions with plasmons, enabling applications such as enhanced sensing or photothermal therapy.
Plasmonic Nanoparticles
Plasmonic nanoparticles are metal nanoparticles that exhibit plasmon resonances, enabling strong interaction with light.
Plasmonics
Plasmonics is the study and utilization of the interaction between light and metal nanoparticles, enabling applications in imaging, sensing, and energy conversion.
Q
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is a field that utilizes quantum phenomena to perform computations, enabling faster and more powerful computing capabilities.
Quantum Confinement
Quantum confinement is the restriction of a particle's motion, leading to quantum effects, due to its confinement in a small space.
Quantum Dots
Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductors that exhibit quantum mechanical properties, such as size-tunable emission of light.
Quantum Dots Solar Cells
Quantum dot solar cells utilize quantum dots as light-absorbing materials to convert solar energy into electricity, offering higher efficiency and tunable properties.
Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, including particles and waves.
Quantum Nanotechnology
Quantum Nanotechnology combines nanotechnology with quantum physics, aiming to develop technologies that exploit quantum phenomena at the nanoscale.
Quantum Tunneling
Quantum tunneling is a quantum mechanical phenomenon where particles can pass through potential barriers, allowing for electron flow and other phenomena at the nanoscale.
S
Scanning Probe Microscopy
Scanning Probe Microscopy is a group of techniques that use a probe to image, measure, or manipulate nanoscale surfaces, including Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM).
Self-Assembly
Self-assembly is the spontaneous organization of molecules or nanoparticles into ordered structures through non-covalent interactions, without external control.
Superparamagnetism
Superparamagnetism is a property exhibited by nanoparticles when their magnetic moments randomly fluctuate.
Supramolecular Chemistry
Supramolecular chemistry focuses on the interactions and properties of molecules and materials through non-covalent bonds, enabling the design of functional nanoscale structures.
Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering
Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a technique that enhances the Raman scattering signal by using metal nanoparticles.
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (Sers)
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a technique that enhances the Raman scattering signal of molecules adsorbed on a roughened metal surface, enabling ultrasensitive detection and analysis.
T
Top-Down Approach
Top-down approach refers to a fabrication method where materials or structures are created by removing and shaping larger structures at the macro or micro scale until the desired nanoscale features are achieved.
Top-Down Fabrication
Top-down fabrication refers to the process of creating nanostructures by reducing larger materials through etching or carving.
Top-Down Nanofabrication
Top-Down Nanofabrication is a method of creating nanoscale structures by starting with a larger material and removing portions of it until the desired features are achieved.
Two-Dimensional Materials
Two-Dimensional Materials are ultrathin materials that consist of a single layer of atoms, such as graphene or transition metal dichalcogenides, exhibiting unique electronic and mechanical properties.