Researchers are developing customized nanoparticles the size of molecules that can deliver drugs directly to diseased cells in your body.  When it's perfected, this method should greatly reduce the damage treatment such as chemotherapy does to a patient's healthy cells. Nanotechnology holds some answers for how we might increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption. Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how food is grown to how it is packaged. Companies are developing nanomaterials that will make a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food safety, and the health benefits that food delivers. Nanotechnology is being used to reduce the cost of catalysts used in fuel cells to produce hydrogen ions from fuel such as methanol and to improve the efficiency of membranes used in fuel cells to separate hydrogen ions from other gases such as oxygen. Companies have developed nanotech solar cells that can be manufactured at significantly lower cost than conventional solar cells. Companies are currently developing batteries using nanomaterials. One such battery will be a good as new after sitting on the shelf for decades. Another battery can be recharged significantly faster than conventional batteries. Nanotechnology may hold the key to making space-flight more practical. Advancements in nanomaterials make lightweight spacecraft and a cable for the space elevator possible. By significantly reducing the amount of rocket fuel required, these advances could lower the cost of reaching orbit and traveling in space. Nanotechnology can address the shortage of fossil fuels such as diesel and gasoline by making the production of fuels from low grade raw materials economical, increasing the mileage of engines, and making the production of fuels from normal raw materials more efficient. Nanotechnology is being used to develop solutions to three very different problems in water quality. One challenge is the removal of industrial wastes, such as a cleaning solvent called TCE, from groundwater. Nanoparticles can be used to convert the contaminating chemical through a chemical reaction to make it harmless. Studies have shown that this method can be used successfully to reach contaminates dispersed in underground ponds and at much lower cost than methods which require pumping the water out of the ground for treatment. Nanotechnology can enable sensors to detect very small amounts of chemical vapors. Various types of detecting elements, such as carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide nanowires or palladium nanoparticles can be used in nanotechnology-based sensors. Because of the small size of nanotubes, nanowires, or nanoparticles, a few gas molecules are sufficient to change the electrical properties of the sensing elements. This allows the detection of a very low concentration of chemical vapors. Current nanotechnology applications in the sports arena include increasing the strength of tennis racquets, filling any imperfections in club shaft materials and reducing the rate at which air leaks from tennis balls. Making composite fabric with nano-sized particles or fibers allows improvement of fabric properties without a significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness as might have been the case with previously-used techniques.

Nanotechnology is used in Biomedical Engineering. The biomedical engineering applications include Biosensors/Biodetection, Photodynamic therapy, Thermotherapy, Surgical blades, Battery technology, Molecular imaging, in vitro diagnostics and many more. Nanotechnology is useful in detecting Chemical and Biological sensors. Nanotechnology can enable sensors to detect very small amounts of chemical vapors. Various types of detecting elements, such as carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide nanowires or palladium nanoparticles can be used in nanotechnology-based sensors. These detecting elements change their electrical characteristics, such as resistance or capacitance, when they absorb a gas molecule. Nanotechnology is also used in sports. The sport of golf has also been impacted by nanotechnology. Nano-composite is replacing traditional materials used in manufacturing of golf clubs, making them lighter and stronger. For example, nanomaterials are used to increase the power and accuracy of the club by lowering its weight and center of gravity. Golf balls have also been modified: applying new materials has allowed the ball to fly along a much straighter path and avoid an uneven spin. Nanowires are structures with a width and depth of a few nanometres or less, but a much longer length. Electrons in these materials are free to travel along the wire, but their motion in the other two directions is governed by quantum mechanics, radically altering the properties of the material. Nanopowders are solid powders of nanoparticles, often containing micron-sized nanoparticle agglomerates. These agglomerates can be redispersed using, for example, ultrasonic processing. Nanoparticle dispersions are suspensions of nanoparticles in water or organic solvents. These dispersions can be used as-is, or diluted with suitable (compatible) solvents. Nanoparticles in dispersions can sometimes settle upon storage, in which case they can be mixed before use. Some surface-functionalized nanoparticles (for example silver and gold) are available as solutions in water or organic solvents. These are "true" solutions, which should not settle or exhibit phase separation if properly stored. Functionalized Nanomaterials illustrates the considerable interest in the development of new molecular probes for medical diagnosis and imaging. Substantial progress was made in the synthesis protocol and characterization of these materials, whereas toxicological issues are sometimes incomplete. Nanoparticle-based contrast agents (CAs) tend to become efficient tools for enhancing medical diagnostics and surgery for a wide range of imaging modalities. Functional carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) have become important due to their unique combinations of chemical and physical properties (i.e., thermal and electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength, and optical properties), extensive research efforts are being made to utilize these materials for various industrial applications, such as high-strength materials and electronics. Silver nanoparticle (NP)-based inks represent the most important commercial nanotechnology-derived product and the most widely studied worldwide. To better clarify the motivation of this review, we should therefore focus on the three points highlighted: the raw material (Ag), the morphology it takes (NPs), and the compound through which it is used in practical applications (ink). NanoFoil is the name trademarked by the Indium Corporation for a reactive multi-layer foil material, sometimes referred to as a pyrotechnic initiator of two mutually reactive metals, aluminium and nickel, sputtered to form thin layers to create a laminated foil. On initiation by a heat pulse, delivered by a bridge wire, a laser pulse, an electric. Silver nano prisms have readily tunable surface plasmon resonance in the visible and near IR spectrum. The prism shaped nanoparticles enhances the charge distribution around the particle. The particles cab be tuned by exposing to a precise wavelength of light tunes so they change color and absorb at a desired wavelength. Nanorods, along with other noble metal nanoparticles, also function as theragnostic agents. Nanorods absorb in the near IR, and generate heat when excited with IR light. This property has led to the use of nanorods as cancer therapeutics. A nanotube is a nanometer-scale tube-like structure. A nanotube is a kind of nanoparticle, and may be large enough to serve as a pipe through which other nanoparticles can be channeled, or, depending on the material, may be used as an electrical conductor or an electrical insulator. Nanosphere lithography (NSL) is an economical technique for generating single-layer hexagonally close packed or similar patterns of nanoscale features. Quantum dots (QD) are very small semiconductor particles, only several nanometres in size, so small that their optical and electronic properties differ from those of larger particles. They are a central theme in nanotechnology. Few ways to prepare quantum dots are through Colloidal synthesis, Plasma synthesis, Fabrication, Viral assembly, Electrochemical assembly, Bulk-manufacture, Heavy-metal-free quantum dots

Protein nanoparticles are used for therapeutic protein delivery. Therapeutic proteins can face substantial challenges to their activity, requiring protein modification or use of a delivery vehicle. Nanoparticles can significantly enhance delivery of encapsulated cargo, but traditional small molecule carriers have some limitations in their use for protein delivery. Nanoparticles made from protein have been proposed as alternative carriers and have benefits specific to therapeutic protein delivery.  At the same time, Liquid filled nanoparticles are also used as a drug delivery tool for protein therapeutics. The use of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for controlled drug delivery has shown significant therapeutic potential. Concurrently, targeted delivery technologies are becoming increasingly important as a scientific area of investigation. Albumin nanoparticle formulations including a series of potential drugs for treating cancers, rheumatoid arthritis or pulmonary fibrosis, such as, paclitaxel, doxorubicin, TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) or tacrolimus, were developed by using nanoparticle albumin bound (Nab™) technology. Nanoscale drug delivery systems using liposomes and nanoparticles are emerging technologies for the rational delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of cancer. Their use offers improved pharmacokinetic properties, controlled and sustained release of drugs and, more importantly, lower systemic toxicity. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) are novel synthetic antioxidant agents proposed for treating oxidative stress-related diseases. The synthesis of high-quality CNPs for biomedical applications remains a challenging task. A major concern for a safe use of CNPs as pharmacological agents is their tendency to agglomerate. Recently, CeO₂-NPs have been synthesized through several bio-directed methods applying natural and organic matrices as stabilizing agents in order to prepare biocompatible CeO₂-NPs, thereby solving the challenges regarding safety, and providing the appropriate situation for their effective use in biomedicine. Several types of polymer coatings for iron oxide nanoparticles have been systematically explored using a novel high-throughput screening technique to optimize coating chemistries and synthetic conditions to produce nanoparticles with maximum stability. Polymeric micelles nanocarriers represent an effective delivery system for poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs. With small size (10–100 nm) and hydrophilic shell of PEG, polymeric micelles exhibit prolonged circulation time in the blood and enhanced tumor accumulation. A new high-performance anode structure based on silicon-carbon nanocomposite materials could significantly improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries used in a wide range of applications from hybrid vehicles to portable electronics. A nanocomposite is a matrix to which nanoparticles have been added to improve a particular property of the material. The properties of nanocomposites have caused researchers and companies to consider using this material in several fields. Some other applications of Nanocomposites include Using graphene to make composites with even higher strength-to-weight ratios, Making lightweight sensors, to make flexible batteries, Making tumors easier to see and remove.

Carbon nanomaterials have a unique place in nanoscience owing to their exceptional electrical, thermal, chemical and mechanical properties and have found application in areas diverse as composite materials, energy storage and conversion, sensors, drug delivery, field emission devices and nanoscale electronic components. Conjugated carbon nanomaterials cover the areas of carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and graphene. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have exceptional physical properties that make them one of the most promising building blocks for future nanotechnologies. They may in particular play an important role in the development of innovative electronic devices in the fields of flexible electronics, ultra-high sensitivity sensors, high frequency electronics, opto-electronics, energy sources and nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS)

Graphene is one of the forms of carbon. Like diamonds and graphite, the forms (or 'allotropes') of carbon have different crystal structures, and this gives them different properties. Graphene is the basic 2D (two dimensional) form of a number of 3D allotropes, such as graphite, charcoal, fullerene and carbon nanotubes. Potential graphene applications include lightweight, thin, flexible, yet durable display screens, electric/photonics circuits, solar cells, and various medical, chemical and industrial processes enhanced or enabled by the use of new graphene materials. Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs, also called nano-graphene ribbons or nano-graphite ribbons) are strips of graphene with width less than 50 nm.

Nanobiotechnology, bionanotechnology, and nanobiology are terms that refer to the intersection of nanotechnology and biology. Given that the subject is one that has only emerged very recently, bionanotechnology and nanobiotechnology serve as blanket terms for various related technologies. Nano-biotechnology refers to the science of integration between biology and nanotechnology. This being a very emerging branch, nanobiology and bionanotechnology are its sister terms. Various concepts that are being emerged from nanobiotechnology are nanodevices, nanocantilevers and nanoparticles. Green nanotechnology refers to the use of nanotechnology to enhance the environmental sustainability of processes producing negative externalities. It also refers to the use of the products of nanotechnology to enhance sustainability. It includes making green nano-products and using nano-products in support of sustainability.

Microtechnology is the use of compact, or very small, technical devices. Microtechnology embraces microcomputer parts, space microdevices, microsurgery, and microelectronics. Both microfilm and microfiche, which store information on film, are also examples of microtechnology; microfiche generally stores more than microfilm. The term "micro," derived from the Greek word mikros, meaning small, is used to describe something that is unusually small. Technology is the application of inventions and discoveries to meet needs or obtain goals. Microtechnology has the advantages of taking up less space, using less construction material, and costing less money. Initial manufacturing of such small components requires invention or reapplication of existing technology, a trained manufacturer, and precise manufacturing conditions. The resulting smaller equipment is less expensive to transport and store; this aspect of microtechnology makes it ideally suited for use in outer space. Nanorobotics describes the technology of producing machines or robots at the nanoscale. 'Nanobot' is an informal term to refer to engineered nano machines. Though currently hypothetical, nanorobots will advance many fields through the manipulation of nano-sized objects.

Nanoelectronics refer to the use of nanotechnology in electronic components. The term covers a diverse set of devices and materials, with the common characteristic that they are so small that inter-atomic interactions and quantum mechanical properties need to be studied extensively. Nanosensors are chemical or mechanical sensors that can be used to detect the presence of chemical species and nanoparticles, or monitor physical parameters such as temperature, on the nanoscale. They also find use in medical diagnostic applications. The term nanocoating refers to nanoscale (i.e. with a thickness of a few tens to a few hundreds of nanometers) thin-films that are applied to surfaces in order create or improve a material's functionalities such as corrosion protection, water and ice protection, friction reduction, antifouling and antibacterial properties, self-cleaning, heat and radiation resistance, and thermal management.

Nanophotonics or nano-optics is the study of the behavior of light on the nanometer scale, and of the interaction of nanometer-scale objects with light. It is a branch of optics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, and nanotechnology. It often (but not exclusively) involves metallic components, which can transport and focus light via surface plasmon polaritons. Metamaterials are artificial materials engineered to have properties that may not be found in nature. They are created by fabricating an array of structures much smaller than a wavelength. The small (nano) size of the structures is important: That way, light interacts with them as if they made up a uniform, continuous medium, rather than scattering off the individual structures.

Materials hold the key to many advanced energy technologies including solar cells, batteries, fuel cells, and catalysis.  With the increasing need for cost-efficient methods for energy storage and conversion, it has become imperative to accelerate the rate at which energy-related materials are developed.  We use fast, scalable computational methods to identify and design new materials for energy storage and conversion. Renewable and clean energy technologies are central to the sustainable development of mankind. Therefore, research and development of new materials for energy conversion and storage are at the forefront of materials science and engineering.

Nanotoxicology is a sub-specialty of particle toxicology. Nanomaterials appear to have toxicity effects that are unusual and not seen with larger particles. For example, even inert elements like gold become highly active at nanometer dimensions. Nanotoxicological studies are intended to determine whether and to what extent these properties may pose a threat to the environment and to human beings. Nanoparticles have much larger surface area to unit mass ratios which in some cases may lead to greater pro-inflammatory effects in, for example, lung tissue. In addition, some nanoparticles seem to be able to translocate from their site of deposition to distant sites such as the blood and the brain. Nanoparticles can be inhaled, swallowed, absorbed through skin and deliberately or accidentally injected during medical procedures. They might be accidentally or inadvertently released from materials implanted into living tissue. One study considers release of airborne engineered nanoparticles at workplaces, and associated worker exposure from various production and handling activities, to be very probable. Today’s, nanotechnology is integral part of pharmaceutics and Drug delivery system.  In  pharmaceutical  science  size  is  an  important  matter  because  it influences    the    drugs    bioavailability,toxicity reduction and better formulation.  Nano size enhances drug performance many fold. It provides intelligent   systems,   devices   and materials   for   better   pharmaceutical applications. 

Green home design includes building for energy efficiency, including the use of renewable energy sources such as wind, water, or solar; creating a healthy indoor environment; implementing natural ventilation systems; and using construction materials that minimise the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the home. The use of materials and resources that are sustainable, have low embodied energy, and produce a minimal environmental impact are key elements in green construction, as is the efficient use of water by appliances, faucets and shower heads, the recycling of grey water, and the reuse of rain water for landscaping and other non-potable purposes. When considering the environmental properties of materials, look for materials that are abundant, non-toxic, have low embodied energy, and meet or exceed regulations.