Recent advances in chemistry enable molecular-level engineering of complex structures such as polymers, metals, ceramics, proteins and genes. Novel electrical, mechanical, optical and catalytic properties of nanostructured materials have garnered worldwide attention.

Exploration of these capabilities has just begun, but the field has already produced advances in pharmaceuticals, composites and biotechnology. Nanotechnology is an enabling technology, cutting across many industry sectors and potentially creating new industries.

The Research Triangle Region is well positioned to capitalize on the emergence of these nanoscale technologies, particularly for life science applications.
Nanoparticle applications are the nearest to market and the most diverse. The use of self-assembled monolayers, nanoporous membranes and other surface-science nanotechnologies will create a new paradigm in chemistry.

These modified materials can serve as molecule-sized chemical factories for creating pharmaceuticals and biochemicals with tailored structure-property relationships (i.e., rational drug design) and optical activity, which will facilitate the creation of medicines personalized to individual DNA structures.

In addition, nanoscale technologies will give rise to new composites useful in drug delivery, medical sensors, tumor labeling, cell transport agents, automotive materials, bio-compatibility agents and architectural structures.