Nanotechnology, as its name implies, is, at its essence, the science of small things. However, nanotechnology is not so much the study of small things as it is the study of how to use small things to advance technology. "Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale. This covers both current work and concepts that are more advanced" (Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, 2002-2008). It spans a very broad range of topics. For example, the use of powder coat paint to provide a smooth finish to lawn furniture falls under the umbrella of nanotechnology, as does some use of tiny robots in surgery. The field is so vast that its different applications may seem unrelated. However, if the scientific question at the heart of the issue involves examining things at a molecular scale, then it is an element of nanotechnology.

It is impossible to determine exactly when nanotechnology...
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