nanotechnology n.

the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of 0.1 to 100 nanometres, or, generally, with the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules

SF Encyclopedia


Science

  • 1974 N. Taniguchi in Proceedings of the International Conference of Production Engineering ii. 18/1

    The usual precision finishing technology has aimed to get the preciseness and fineness of 1 μm, i.e. 10−6m in length, hence it says ‘micro-technology’, not so accurate in meaning. Consequently, in contrast, the finishing technology aimed to get the preciseness and fineness of 1nm would be called ‘Nano-technology’.

  • 1986 K. E. Drexler Engines of Creation i. 11

    As nanotechnology moves beyond reliance on proteins, it will grow more ordinary from an engineer’s point of view.

  • 1992 Locus June 27/1

    In these days of nanotechnology,…it is difficult to recall when Mankind’s energies were turned toward the building of empires.

  • 1992 A. Steele Labyrinth of Night 283 Allen Steele bibliography

    It was made to perform like a human being. And before you ask, it was made by nanotechnology. Alien nanotechnology, far beyond the rudimentary nanites we've developed thus far.

  • 1993 J. Brosnan Opoponax Invasion (1994) 40 John Brosnan bibliography

    ‘Biological nanotechnology,’ she said. ‘We all carry our personal bionantech by Corporation law.’

  • 1993 B. Shaw Dimensions (1994) 194 Bob Shaw

    They were almost impossible to reproduce, even with nano-technology, and examples of the incredibly delicate material changed hands for millions of monits.

  • 1993 I. M. Banks Against Dark Background 285 Iain M. Banks

    The nanotechnology and tissue-cloning techniques that repaired the ravages of the radiation pulse were only withdrawn after the course of treatment had finished.

  • 1993 G. Bear Moving Mars 109 Greg Bear

    By mid-twenty-one, nanotechnology factories were inexpensive; nano recyclers could provide raw materials from garbage; data and design reigned supreme.

  • 1993 A. C. Clarke Hammer of God 101 Arthur C. Clarke

    It would have looked incredibly flimsy to any engineer born before the twentieth century, but the nanotechnology that had built it up, literally carbon atom by carbon atom, had given it a strength fifty times greater than the finest steel.

  • 1994 I. McDonald Necroville (1995) 31 Ian McDonald

    These are the things that matter. Not the moon being converted into a three thousand kilometre sphere of nanotechnology.

  • 1995 Interzone Apr. 4/1

    How will our families, our freedoms, and our earning power be impacted when radical breakthroughs in information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology move out of the laboratory, into the marketplace?

  • 1996 W. Shatner Return xxvii. 213 William Shatner

    But they are clearly nanotechnology intended for medical treatment.

  • 2015 B. Cooper Edge of Dark l. 272 page image Brenda Cooper bibliography

    All the nanotechnology in the world couldn’t create much mass from the empty dark of space.


Research requirements

antedating 1974

Earliest cite

N. Taniguchi 'Proc. Internat. Conf. Production Engin.'

Research History
Ben Ostrowsky submitted a 2015 cite from Brenda Cooper.

New entry in the OED June 2003, with earliest cite from 1974.

Last modified 2021-03-09 02:31:16
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.