Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is all about really, really small things. The word 'nano' means one billionth. Scientists work with stuff at the size of atoms and molecules. These things are way too small to see with your eyes. Even a normal microscope cannot show them.

How Small Is Nano

A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. A human hair is about 80,000 nanometers wide. That means nano things are thousands of times smaller than a hair. Scientists use special tools to see and move them. They can even build tiny machines from single atoms.

Cool Nano Uses

Nanotechnology helps make lots of everyday things better. Some sunscreens use nano particles to block the sun better. Clothes with nano fibers can resist stains and water. Doctors are using nano medicine to fight diseases inside the body. Tiny nano parts also make computers and phones faster.

Fun Facts

• The word 'nanotechnology' was first used in 1974.
• A single drop of water has trillions of nano-sized molecules.
• Nano gold is not gold-colored, it can look red or purple.

Did You Know?

If a nanometer were the size of a marble, a regular meter would stretch all the way around the Earth.