A wireless world of globally interconnected electronic lab books operated by nanoscale robots, or 'caves' of 'crumbs', diamonds and revamped secondhand equipment? How the lab of the future will look is open to question, but one thing is certain: small will be big. Nanotechnology — the use of processes and manmade materials on a nanometre scale — is hot stuff: the American National Nanotechnology Initiative predicts it will boost the US economy by $1 trillion by 2015. The advantages of performing tasks on a nanoscale are clear. Mechanical and electronic properties of molecules, even colours, can be fine-tuned to offer stronger materials, more adaptable electronic equipment and better dyes. As mechanical and electrical resistance decrease, functions from filtering water to lighting become cheaper and more efficient.
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机译：由纳米级机器人操作的全球互连电子实验室书籍的无线世界，或“面包屑”，钻石和翻新二手设备的“洞穴”？未来实验室的外观尚有待商,，但有一点可以肯定：小将大。纳米技术（在纳米规模上使用工艺和人造材料）非常热门：美国国家纳米技术计划（National National Nanotechnology Initiative）预测，到2015年它将使美国经济增长1万亿美元。在纳米规模上执行任务的优势显而易见。分子的机械和电子特性，甚至是颜色，都可以进行微调，以提供更坚固的材料，更适应的电子设备和更好的染料。随着机械和电阻的降低，从过滤水到照明的功能变得越来越便宜和有效。
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