Nanotechnology is a field of applied science focused on the design, synthesis, characterisation and application of materials and devices on the nano scale. This is a sub classification of technology in Colloidal Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and other relevant scientific fields for manipulation of materials into nano scale. The term nanotechnolgy was defined in 1974 by Prof. Norio Taniguchi, Tokyo Science University. Nano material has grains on the order of 10– 9 m. Nano crystalline materials are exceptionally strong, hard, ductile at high temperatures, wear-resistant, erosion-resistant, corrosion - resistant and chemically very active.

Successful nanotechnology enabled products are already in the market. Self-cleaning windows use a 15nm thick coating of water-repellent activated TiO2. Carbon nano structures like Buckminster fullerene (C–60) and its analogs show great promise as lubricants in electronics and as drug delivery systems.

Carbon nanotubes, discovered in 1990's are stiff as diamond and electrically conducting and find applications in reinforced composites, sensors, nano electronics and display devices. Nano technology finds application in purification of water, with titanum oxide removing E-coli bacteria in water. For drug delivery into the brain, nano particles are used to alter and improve the Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic properties of various drug molecules. Early detection of breast cancer using nanotechnology is replacing the clinical diagnosis, called mammography.
Notable applications include Nano Catalysis, Nano Synthesis, Nano Filtration, Nano Optics, Nano Membranes, Nano Fibers, Magnetic Nano Particles, Nano Tech Fuel Cells, Nano Tech Batteries, Nano Tech Solar Cells, Nano Technology in Air Quality, Nano Technology in Fabrics, Nano Technology based Chemical Sensors