Difference Between Nanotechnology and Nanoscience

Nanotechnology vs Nanoscience

Nanotechnology and nanoscience are two research areas that focus on matter at nanometer scale. If any research involves with objects less than hundred nanometers (nanometer is a billionth of a meter), it belongs to one of nanotechnology and nanoscience. Both these fields are multi-disciplinary areas where knowledge of diverse areas such as physics, chemistry, engineering and biology are integrated.

Nanoscience

Nanoscience is the study of objects with size less than hundred nanometers at least in one dimension. When objects go to nanometer scale in size, their behavior get changed applied laws may not be the same as when they were larger in size. Nanoscience involves finding governing laws of these tiny objects, deriving theoretical models to describe the behavior of those nanoscale materials and analyzing the properties of them. The knowledge of nanoscience is used by nanotechnology. Deriving the equations for electronic band structure of carbon nanotubes can be considered as an example for a topic in nanoscience.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is engineering the nanoscale objects at molecular level using different techniques. Nanotechnology is all about techniques and tools to come up with a nanoscale design or system that exploit the properties at molecular level to be more accurate and efficient.

Using the knowledge on material behavior at nanoscale which is got from nanoscience, nanotechnology focuses on properties such as strength, lightness, electrical and thermal conductance and reactivity to design and manufacture useful items. There are two approaches in nanotechnology known as top-down approach and bottom-up approach. Various concepts such as self assembly and molecular machines are also used in nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology is applied in many areas including IT, automobile, healthcare, textile and agricultural industries. Nanotechnology is expected to be the next revolution and many governments, universities and companies all over the world invest lot of money on nanotechnology research.

Manufacturing field effect transistors using carbon nanotubes is an example for an application of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology vs Nanoscience

– Nanoscience is the study of objects at nanometer scale, and deriving theoretical concepts and governing laws for them whereas, nanotechnology is all about engineering, manipulation and using nanoscale objects to produce useful applications.

– Nanotechnology uses the knowledge of nanoscience for applications.

– Difference between nanotechnology and nanoscience is same as the difference between science and technology.