Nanotechnology (nano in Latin: small, in Greek: dwarf): is about things in really small scale. One nanoparticle is about 10^-9 m in size.

Nanotechnology, in this respect, concerns dealing with things of around and below 100 nm scale.

When dealing with nanoscale matter, its properties change dramatically compared to those of bulk. For example, bulk gold is inert to chemicals (other than aqua regia) while nanoscale gold can act as a catalyst.

Using nanotechnology the properties of materials and products can be improved. For example the mechanical durability, energy efficiency, hydrophobic properties or data transfer efficiency can be enhanced.