Nanotechnology

noun (uncountable)

/ˌnænəʊtɛkˈnɒlədʒi/

The science, engineering, and application of materials and devices with structures and components at the nanoscale — typically 1 to 100 nanometres (nm) in at least one dimension (one nanometre = one billionth of a metre). At the nanoscale, materials often exhibit quantum and surface-area-dominant properties qualitatively different from their bulk form. Applications span nano-medicine (targeted drug delivery, nano-scale diagnostics), nano-materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene, nano-silver), electronics (transistors below 5 nm), and defence. In UPSC context, India's Nano Mission (DST, launched 2007, continued Phase-II from 2020) is the primary policy framework; CSIR-CECRI and IIT-led nano-research centres are key institutional actors; nano-urea (IFFCO's liquid nano-urea, commercialised 2021) is a significant agricultural application that reduces urea consumption by up to 50%.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

IFFCO's nano-urea — a liquid fertiliser containing urea nanoparticles of approximately 20–50 nm that are absorbed directly through the leaf surface — achieved commercial scale in 2021, offering a 50% reduction in conventional urea application and a potential pathway to decongesting India's heavily subsidised fertiliser supply chain.

Synonyms

nanosciencemolecular nanotechnologynano-engineeringnanomaterials sciencemolecular manufacturing

Antonyms

macroscale technologybulk materials scienceconventional engineering

🌱 Word Family

nanotechnology (n), nanomaterial (n), nanoscience (n), nano (prefix/adj), nanoparticle (n), nano-medicine (n), nano-urea (n, applied)

🔡 Root

Greek nanos = dwarf (hence one-billionth in SI prefix); Greek tekhnē = art, craft, skill; Greek logos = study

📜 Etymology

The concept was first articulated by physicist Richard Feynman in his 1959 lecture 'There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom'. The term nanotechnology was coined in 1974 by Japanese scientist Norio Taniguchi. The SI prefix nano- (one billionth) derives from Greek nanos ('dwarf'). K. Eric Drexler popularised the term in his 1986 book Engines of Creation.

🧠 Memory Hook

NANO (dwarf, one-billionth) + TECHNOLOGY: one nanometre = one billionth of a metre — a strand of human hair is 80,000 nm wide. Feynman 1959 ('Room at the Bottom') → Taniguchi 1974 (coined the word) → IFFCO nano-urea 2021 (India's commercial product). 'Nano' = dwarf-scale engineering.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2015 — Nano Technology
Mains 2020 · GS3 · 10 marks — Science and Technology
Mains 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marks — Science & Technology

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Nanotechnology” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🔬 Science & Technology 📖 Seen in: Emerging Technologies — AI, Quantum Co...

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