Nanotechnologies require a multidisciplinary approach, both for the development of instrumentation and for the ability to create a broad spectrum of applications.
Here is a brief list of the main steps in the history of the development of nanotechnology:
1959. Feynman gives the famous lecture "There's plenty of space at the bottom", where he develops theoretical considerations on the possibility of building machines at molecular level and to create systems for the storage of vast amounts of information (the ability to write the entire contents of Encyclopaedia Britannica on the head of a pin)
1974. Taniguchi coins the term "nanotechnology". Initially designed for processes involving a few atoms and molecules, is gradually extended to include features below 100 nm (1 nm = 10-9 m)
1981. Binnig and Roher, at IBM laboratories in Zurich invent the STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope), a device capable of displaying structures on atomic scale (only for conductive materials). In 1986 two scientists was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. In 1986 Binnig, Quate and Gerber develop the AFM, which can also obtain images of non-conductive materials.
1985. Curl, Kroto and Smalley discover the existence of a particular molecule of carbon, Buckminsterfullerene, C60, with spherical shape (more precisely composed of hexagons and pentagons, like a soccer ball). Later other forms of fullerenes were discovered, including nanotubes, with cylindrical symmetry. Since then, studies on these forms of carbon have been greatly developed, exploring the potential applications within nanotechnology.
1986. Drexler writes "Engines of Creation". In the book the author describes the great potential of nanotechnology, and introduces some popular concepts, such as "universal assemblers" (nanomachines capable of operating atom by atom) and "gray goo" (a possible disastrous outcome caused by nanomachines capable to autoreplicate). Later Drexler , in "Nanosystems: Molecular Machinery, Manufacturing and Computation", describes in a technically more precise his ideas on molecular nanotechnology. In 1986 he founds the Foresight Institute, to develop a critical awareness about the possible consequences of new technologies.
1989. Eigler reaches the ability to manipulate and position individual atoms with an STM cooled with liquid helium, writing the letters IBM with xenon atoms.
2000. The President of the United States Clinton launches the National Nanotechnology Initiative, including the development of nanotechnology in the strategic objectives of the country. Since then, substantial public and private funding have been directed on nanotechnology in all developed areas. The European Union, have included the sector between the primary areas of its Framework Programs. Gradually the number of companies working on the field and that of products based on nanotechnology coming on the market is expanding.
