Introduction

Abstract

During the twentieth century, progress in physics, chemistry, and biology brought a detailed understanding of the structure and properties of both living and inert matter on the nanometric scale, i.e., lengths of the order of one billionth of a metre. By the end of the 1950s, instruments were being developed to observe, manipulate, and assemble matter and devices on this same length scale. It was thus clear that the convergence of all this knowledge would open the way to spectacular applications, and yet it was not until the 1990s that nanotechnology truly came into its own. The most visible application was without doubt nanoelectronics, today present in an increasing number of products which are in the process of changing our lives. But nanotechnology is being put to work in many other sectors such as materials, sensors, energy, and medical applications. Thousands of products contain nanosized ingredients and, given the scope of these developments, concern has been expressed, particularly about the possible toxicity of nanoparticles and inadequate control of industrial applications. Since its inception, nanotechnology has been closely associated with the notion of economic growth, but its maturity will also depend on an understanding of the associated risks and its contribution to the crucial future questions of sustainable development.