Literally means “dwarf technology.” A futuristic, conceptual technology in which man manipulates objects whose dimensions are approximately 1 to 100 nanometers. For example, it is possible that in the future a variety of man-made “nano-assemblers” [i.e., tiny (molecular) machines smaller than a grain of sand] would manufacture those things that are produced today in factories. For example, enzyme molecules function essentially as jigs and machine tools to shape large molecules as they are formed in biochemical reactions. The technology of manipulating atoms and molecules in order to form (build) bigger, but still vanishingly small functional structures and machines.
The scientific study and engineering of chemical or biological objects measuring between 1 and 1000 nanometers. Objects this small are about the size of atoms or small molecules. “Wet” nanotechnology is the manipulation of organic or biological compounds in solution. “Dry” nanotechnology is the engineering of objects on silicon or carbon surfaces, such as those used in computing.