What you need to know about nanotechnologiesWhat is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the use of materials on a very minute scale. One nanometre is just one millionth of a millimetre.

It’s used because materials take on new properties at this tiny scale enabling everything from coatings to give self-cleaning windows to more effective cancer drugs.

What's the problem?

Nanotechnology is already used in a range of products available in shops today, for example some, sunscreens, razor blades, hair products, sports equipment and antibacterial coatings.

However, research into the potential risks of some uses of nanotechnologies lags behind their commercial application and development.

Some uses of the technology raise little concern such as computers or mobile phones, but some manufactured nanoparticles have the potential to be more toxic than their larger equivalents due to their increased surface area and may be more easily absorbed into the body for example.

Nanotech is here to stay

Nanotechnology is an enormous industry that attracts substantial investment. In the last five years capital expenditure doubled to £23 billion in the UK and the government’s Trade & Investment body forecasts a growth of 44% in the next 12-15 years.

As a result it's important for all of us to understand more about nanotechnologies.