nanotechnology

noun

Etymology: From nano- + technology. Popularized in 1986 by Eric Drexler.

1. The science and technology of creating nanoparticles and of manufacturing machines which have sizes within the range of nanometres (1–100 nm).

   “The first such review would also include a study of whether it is feasible to create nanoscale devices that can assemble themselves or copies of themselves molecule by molecule -- a subject of fierce debate among nanotechnology experts.”

   “Nanotechnology, the science of creating functional systems on the scale of molecules or smaller, could enable engineers to combine the functions of memory chips and disk drives on a device the size of a dime.”