RSC Response on Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology provides the potential for significant advances over the next 50 years. Applications will be broad, including; health care, medicine, security, electronics, communications and computing. 

The present study should look at clarifying the definition of nanotechnology. At present the term is used to encompass a wide spectrum of nanoscience, from nanoparticles in sunscreen to the production of 'nanobots' for in vivo medical applications. In defining nanotechnology, distinctions need to be made between 'science' and 'technology'. A narrower definition of the type of 'technology' covered by the term may also be considered, limiting nanotechnology to technology producing functional devices fabricated and operating on the scale of nanometres, such as molecular machines and molecular electronic devices. Nanotechnology is also seen by some as a young but growing area of research which given time, will define itself more clearly.