What is the Nanoworld?

The prefix "nano" comes from the Greek, meaning "dwarf". In the metric system is defined as 1x10^-9 of something, or something "very small". A length of one nanometer is 1x10^-9 of a meter (one meter is 39.4 inches or about one yard) and corresponds to the length of about half a dozen atoms arranged end-to-end. Thus, when we speak of the "nanoworld", we use the term to mean the world of atoms and molecules or collections of relatively small numbers of atoms and molecules. A site that shows the relative sizes of objects, from the very largest to the very smallest, Universcale.

Why the interest in the nanoworld?

Click here for a word about the nanoworld from Newt Gingrich.
(Only available on CBU's intranet)

Many of the properties of modern materials are the result of processes occurring at the nanoscale, the atomic scale of individual atoms or groups of atoms. Increasingly, we can image matter on this scale ( "See Atoms" ) and manipulate matter on this scale ( "Assemble Atoms" ), leading to desired properties of materials and devices ( "Customize Materials" ).

To check out our new "Exploring the Nanoworld" kit. Click here .

Visit my Penn State Nanofabrication page