Introduction

Abstract

Over the last 15–20 years there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the word “nanotechnology” [1–7]. A lot is being printed in the press and being aired in the media regarding how this new technology is changing the world around us with myriad applications. It is already touching the everyday lives of people in various avatars such as nanoparticles containing sunscreen lotions, dirt-resistant glass/paint with nanocoatings, the lab on a chip (also known as the micro testing and analyzing system; µ-TAS in short), and the various nanocomposite materials. This chapter looks to introduce the readers to what nanotechnology is about.