Technology / Nanotechnology

Our Wonderful Age of Abundance, in 9 Striking Infographics

Technology is driving us toward 
an era of exhilarating freedom,
 economic opportunity, and the profound gift of health. 04.24.2012

7 Animals That Harnessed Nanotechnology Long Before Humans

The animal kingdom boasts many an impressive form, from arching giraffe necks to spoon-shaped bird beaks to gigantic beetle claws. But evolution has worked on much smaller scales too, producing nanostructures that help animals climb, slither, camouflage, flirt, and thrive. 04.03.2012

The 100 Top Science Stories of 2010

Every year DISCOVER sorts through the scientific accomplishments of the past 12 months, and assembles a list of the coolest experiments, most brilliant discoveries, and most world-changing events. As you page through the countdown to the #1 science story, we think you'll come to the same conclusion we did: 2010 was quite a year. 12.16.2010

20 Things You Didn't Know About... Nanotechnology

How it might kill us, how it might save us, and how it was used in the smallest ever marketing stunt 10.29.2010

Our Brightest Hopes for Keeping Up With Moore's Law

Scientists are trying out strange technological tricks to make computer chips tinier and more powerful. 03.01.2010

The Era of Nanoparticle Drugs Begins With Erection Cream

Tiny drug-carrying balls of sugar are delivering medicine in novel—and very useful—ways. 10.09.2009

9 Ways Carbon Nanotubes Just Might Rock the World

Nanotubes have been billed as the key to curing cancer, building space elevators, and creating real-world Spidermen. Whether they're totally tubular or just an overhyped pipe dream remains to be seen. 08.06.2009

Future Tech: The Carbon Nanotube Grows Up—Into Nanoyarn a Kilometer Long

One company's special manufacturing process turns out yarns and sheets millions of time the size of normal nanotubes. 07.21.2009

Life After Silicon—How Graphene Could Revolutionize Electronics

Will the next generation of computers, phones, and even energy storage be built on a form of carbon? 05.19.2009

Autonomous Claw Could Become the World's Tiniest Surgeon

Snowflake-like robot could be used in biopsies and other procedures. 02.06.2009

#7: Invisibility Becomes More than Just a Fantasy

Researchers are cloaking materials from light, sound, and even matter itself. 12.21.2008

#51: Physicists Build the World’s Smallest Transistor

The tiny device measures an astonishing 10 atoms by 1 atom. 12.12.2008

#65: Long-Prophesied Circuit Element Could Revolutionize Computing

Instant booting and decreased power consumption may soon be realities with the new "memristor." 12.10.2008

#74: Viruses Are Put to Work Building Superbatteries

Engineers turn viruses into little engineers. 12.09.2008

#83: Bulletproof Paper Is Stronger Than Kevlar

New nanopaper is not only super-strong, but made from renewable materials. 12.08.2008

20 Best Brains Under 40

Young innovators are changing everything from theoretical mathematics to cancer therapy. 11.20.2008

The 9 Best Nanotechnology-Powered Products

People have been sticking nanoparticles up their noses for years. 11.06.2008

A Visual Tour of the World of Science

An upcoming museum exhibit shows Technicolor microexplosions, water lilies as delicate as breast tissue, and more. 10.02.2008

3 People Who Are Pushing the Edge of Science

Growing electronics with viruses, finding alien life, and quantum privacy protection. 05.30.2008

3 Ideas That Are Pushing the Edge of Science

Medical bots powered by sperm, clean fusion power, and two-dimensional time. 05.29.2008

Mighty Electric Fields Found Inside Cells

15 million volts per meter? Ay, carumba. 03.14.2008

The Incredibly Strong See-Through Bicycle

Want a lighter bike? Poke holes in it—the more the better. 03.06.2008

What Is This? A Field of Micro-Volcanoes?

These growths may look like little volcanoes, but they are are nothing of the sort. 03.02.2008

Tiny Robot Walks Using Rat Heart Muscle

Similar bots may one day clear clots in blood vessels. 01.22.2008

World's Smallest Liver

A nano-sized laboratory could help find cures for liver diseases. 05.01.2007

World's Smallest Liver

A nano-sized laboratory could help find cures for liver diseases. 02.19.2007

Nanotube Knees and Elbows

Goodbye, metal: Doctors grow new bones. 03.31.2006

Building a Better World With Cyborg Bacteria

Building a Better World With Cyborg Bacteria 02.20.2006

The Year in Science: Technology

Carbon nanotubes, lab-grown meat, humanoid robots, and more. 01.08.2006

Killing Cancer With Red-Hot Nanotubes

Killing Cancer With Red-Hot Nanotubes 11.22.2005

Nanotechnology

Scientists copy nature's tricks to create life, molecule by molecule 10.24.2005

Microelectronics

Stop thinking transistors on chips and start thinking 'up' or 'down' electrons 10.24.2005

Small Time

12.03.2004

Hot Off the Tress

10.01.2004

Secret Garden

10.01.2004

Technology

01.02.2004

Tomorrow's Computer

08.01.2001

Future Tech

Sleek carbon nanotubes could be the greatest thing since sliced silicon 02.01.2001

The Smallest Switch

The Smallest Switch 07.01.1999

Molecule Motor

11.01.1998

The Incredible Shrinking Finger Factory

For years engineers have touted the future wonders of microscopic machines. But they have ignored a real-world-size problem: If machine parts dwindle to tiny specks, how will human or even robotic hands ever assemble them? One man's ingenious solution: 03.01.1998

The Year in Science: Technology 1997

Quantum Wires 01.01.1998

The Year in Science: Technology 1997

Microrotor 01.01.1998

Tiny Tubes

04.01.1997

The Nano-abacus

03.01.1997

Dr. Tinkertoy

DNA is more than the storehouse of life's secrets, it's also a marvelous construction toy. 02.01.1997