Today's nanotechnology harnesses current progress in chemistry, physics, materials science, and biotechnology to create novel materials that have unique properties because their structures are determined on the nanometer scale. Some of these materials have already found their ways into consumer products, such as sun screens and stain-resistant pants.
Others are being intensively researched for solutions to humanity's greatest problems — diseases, clean energy, clean water, etc. Other work is aimed at developing a roadmap for productive nanosystems, in which a path is sought from today's nanotechnology capabilities to advanced future systems in which molecular tools will build useful materials, devices, and complex systems to atomic precision. The products of advanced nanotechnology that will become available in coming decades promise even more revolutionary applications than the products of current and near-term nanotechnology.
Others are being intensively researched for solutions to humanity's greatest problems — diseases, clean energy, clean water, etc. Other work is aimed at developing a roadmap for productive nanosystems, in which a path is sought from today's nanotechnology capabilities to advanced future systems in which molecular tools will build useful materials, devices, and complex systems to atomic precision. The products of advanced nanotechnology that will become available in coming decades promise even more revolutionary applications than the products of current and near-term nanotechnology.