The conventional aspect of science and technology on the nanometer scale is seen in advancing observation and precision standards down to the atomic level and in continued miniaturization from today's microelectronics to tomorrow's nanoelectronics. A more adventurous approach to the nanoworld is the assembly-scenario where nanomachines are assembled from nanometer scale building blocks, including molecules and macromolecules. Miniaturization and assembly together will provide new opportunities and new ways of solving problems, namely, the most elegant and efficient way nature solves them.
Nanotechnology thus is crucial to a sustainable development.