Nanoscience & Nanotechnology: Overview

Approximately 15 years ago scientists and engineers began discussing a technological revolution that would be as dramatic and far-reaching to society as the industrial revolution - the nanotechnology revolution. At first the primary promoters of the nanotechnology revolution were considered eccentric at best, and a little crazy at worst. However, their ideas and visions are becoming accepted by the mainstream intellectual, scientific and engineering communities. Recently, governments and major corporations around the world have committed several billion dollars per year for the advancement of nanotechnology and nanoscience research and development.