What Is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the science of creating molecular-size machines that manipulate matter one atom at a time. The name comes from nanometer--one one-billionth of a meter--which is roughly the size of these tiny devices.

The idea dates back to a 1959 speech by physicist Richard Feynman in which he proposed manipulating matter atom by atom and was championed most famously in K. Eric Drexler's 1986 book Engines of Creation.

WHAT ARE NANOBOTS?

Nanobots are the workhorses of the nano-manufacturing world. They are, as the name implies, nanometer-scale robots that use tiny arms to pick up and move atoms and tiny electronic brains...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!