While the definition of nanotechnology is assumingly straightforward, it can mean two often very different things. The first and perhaps more common definition of the term is the study of small things or that of making things smaller.
It is said that by reducing information to mere compute code, it is possible to store just about every bit of information in the world, across all books on a medium the size of a speck of dust. Much of what we refer to as nanotechnology is material science.
A lot of modern technology is focused on making use of these tiny machines like carbon nanotubes, which are a hundred times stronger than steel but are also six times lighter.
The second definition of nanotechnology is very different. It is also referred to as molecular manufacturing. As the term suggests, it is all about molecular-sized machines that are programmed to perform certain tasks.
They often use atomic manipulation, which arranges atoms in a way that allows them to create brand new elements that don't exist naturally. The potential they have is to manufacture just about anything you can imagine.
The technology is now being used in fields like genetic engineering for corn and wheat, making it more drought resistant. But as some experts put it, "this is just the start."
Also, there is the potential to create thousands of new materials with small scale properties, allowing them to move around in ways previously not possible. The most evident use is in various fields of medicine.