Nanotechnology is the design, characterization, production and application of very small structures to exploit their unique physical, chemical and biological properties. Size dependent properties of nanomaterials, usually in the 1- to 100-nanometer range, include electronic, photonic, magnetic, rheological, structural and mechanical effects.

Nano-enabled products
Nano-enabled products are those that gain value-added attributes from their utilization of nanomaterials, inclusion of nanodevices within the product, or have nanocoatings or treatments. Nano-enabled processes utilize nanotechnology to produce products more efficiently, often with sustainable development benefits.

Nanoscience
Nanoscience is the exploration and analysis of phenomena which arise as a function of nanoscale interactions at the molecular and atomic levels of materials. Alberta broadened its definition to include near-nanotechnologies and MEMS which collectively are materials-based technologies that create or use structures, devices, and systems to control or manipulate atoms and molecules on a molecular scale (1-1000 nm).

Why Nano?
Nanotechnology can impact Alberta's value-added economic base in the areas of energy and the environment, health and medical technologies, and agriculture and forestry with:

• improved operations and energy efficiencies for the oil sands industry, cleaner energy alternatives, reduced water use, lowered emissions, and less impact on land and water for the benefit of all Albertans;
• improved health care with a higher quality of life and at a lower cost; - not one or the other; and,
• improved economic sustainability of existing industries while developing new economic drivers leading to more jobs and a diversified economy

Interested in learning even more about nanotechnology? Check out Science Alberta Foundation's video: Do You Know What Nano Means, or some of nanoAlberta's other great resources.