1959 CE
Feynman's 'Plenty of Room at the Bottom'
Physicist Richard Feynman delivers a lecture at Caltech envisioning the manipulation of individual atoms, laying the conceptual foundation for nanotechnology. #nanotech #feynman
Chronological Storyline (39 Milestones)
1974 CE
Norio Taniguchi coins 'Nanotechnology'
Japanese scientist Norio Taniguchi first uses the term 'nanotechnology' to describe precision machining at the nanometer scale. #nanotech #terminology
1981 CE
Invention of Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM)
Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer at IBM Zurich invent the STM, enabling imaging and manipulation of individual atoms. It wins the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physics. #nanotech #STM
By Erwinrossen - en:File:Atomic_resolution_Au100.JPG, see upload log, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1790142
1985 CE
Discovery of Buckminsterfullerene (C60)
Harold Kroto, James Heath, Sean O'Brien, Robert Curl, and Richard Smalley discover C60, a spherical carbon molecule, opening a new field of carbon nanomaterials. They receive the 1996 Nobel Prize. #nanotech #fullerene
By Fotograf: Jochen Gschnaller - German Wikipedia, original upload Dez 2004 by Moebius1 (selfmade), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=350278
1986 CE
Drexler Publishes 'Engines of Creation'
Eric Drexler popularizes the concept of molecular nanotechnology and assemblers, sparking public interest and debate. #nanotech #drexlernano
1986 CE
Invention of Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
Gerd Binnig, Calvin Quate, and Christoph Gerber invent the AFM, which uses a cantilever to measure surface topography at the atomic level. #nanotech #AFM
By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3592868
1989 CE
IBM Builds Quantum Corral
Scientists at IBM use an STM to arrange 48 iron atoms into a quantum corral on a copper surface, demonstrating wave-like behavior of electrons. #nanotech #quantumcorral
1990 CE
First Manipulation of Individual Atoms
IBM researchers spell 'IBM' with 35 xenon atoms on a nickel surface using an STM, confirming atomic-scale manipulation. #nanotech #atomicprecision
1991 CE
Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes
Sumio Iijima discovers multi-walled carbon nanotubes, cylindrical carbon structures with extraordinary strength and conductivity. #nanotech #carbonnanotubes
By Original hochgeladen von Schwarzm am 30. Aug 2004; Selbst gemacht mit C4D/Cartoonrenderer, GNU FDL - German Wikipedia, original upload 29. Dez 2004 by APPER, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=350208
1992 CE
First Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized
Sumio Iijima and Toshinari Ichihashi, and independently Donald Bethune, synthesize single-walled carbon nanotubes. #nanotech #SWCNT
1993 CE
First Nanoscale Transistor
Researchers at IBM create the first transistor using carbon nanotubes, paving the way for nanoelectronics. #nanotech #transistor
1996 CE
Nobel Prize for Fullerene Discovery
Harold Kroto, Robert Curl, and Richard Smalley receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering fullerenes. #nanotech #nobel
By 痛 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=118428240
1998 CE
First Nanogear
Scientists at University of California, Berkeley, create a molecular gear made of carbon nanotubes. #nanotech #nanogear
1999 CE
US National Nanotechnology Initiative Launched
President Clinton announces the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) to coordinate federal research and development. #nanotech #NNI
By US Federal Government National Nanotechnology Coordination Office - https://www.nano.gov/2025BudgetSupplement, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=163991308
2000 CE
First Molecular Motor
Ben Feringa and colleagues build the first synthetic molecular motor, a nanoscale rotor that can be driven by light. #nanotech #molecularmotor
By User:Bensaccount. Original uploader was Bensaccount at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8287100
2001 CE
First Nanotechnology Consumer Products
Products like nano-sunscreen (using zinc oxide nanoparticles) and stain-resistant fabrics enter the market. #nanotech #consumerproducts
2002 CE
Creation of Nanowires
Researchers develop method to grow silicon nanowires, enabling future nanoelectronic components. #nanotech #nanowires
2003 CE
First Nanotechnology Safety Study
Studies begin on the environmental and health impacts of nanoparticles, leading to the field of nanotoxicology. #nanotech #safety
2004 CE
Isolation of Graphene
Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov isolate a single layer of graphite (graphene) using Scotch tape, revolutionizing materials science. They win the 2010 Nobel Prize. #nanotech #graphene
By AlexanderAlUS - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11294534
2005 CE
Graphene Transistor Demonstrated
Researchers show the first graphene-based field-effect transistor, highlighting its potential for high-speed electronics. #nanotech #graphene
2006 CE
Nanotechnology in Medicine
First targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles, enhancing cancer treatment efficacy. #nanotech #nanomedicine
2007 CE
DNA Origami Technique Developed
Paul Rothemund introduces DNA origami, enabling precise nanoscale structures using folded DNA strands. #nanotech #DNAorigami
By Origamimonkey - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23081745
2008 CE
First Nanoscale Electric Motor
Alex Zettl's group at UC Berkeley builds a nanoscale electric motor using carbon nanotubes. #nanotech #nanomotor
By Xortical - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75731077
2009 CE
Nanotechnology in Battery Technology
Development of lithium-ion batteries with nanostructured electrodes increases energy density and charging speed. #nanotech #batteries
By National Institute of Standards and Technology - Nanosized Batteries, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51194974
2010 CE
Nobel Prize for Graphene
Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov receive the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on graphene. #nanotech #graphene #nobel
2011 CE
First Nanotechnology Cancer Treatment Approved
Abraxane, a nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel, is approved for treating breast cancer. #nanotech #cancer
2012 CE
Nanohole Arrays for Biosensing
Development of plasmonic nanohole arrays for label-free biosensing applications. #nanotech #biosensing
2013 CE
First 3D Nanoscale Printing
Technique for 3D printing with sub-100 nm resolution is demonstrated, enabling complex nanostructures. #nanotech #3Dprinting
2014 CE
Nanotechnology in Water Purification
Nano-porous membranes and nanoparticles are used to remove contaminants from water effectively. #nanotech #water
2015 CE
Quantum Dots in Displays
Quantum dot technology enters consumer displays, offering brighter and more accurate colors. #nanotech #quantumdots
By Walkman16 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15266942
2016 CE
Artificial Leaf Using Nanomaterials
A device that mimics photosynthesis using nanomaterials to convert sunlight into fuel is developed. #nanotech #artificialleaf
2017 CE
Nanorobots in Living Organisms
Scientists demonstrate DNA nanorobots that can carry drugs to specific cells in living animals. #nanotech #nanorobots
2018 CE
Nanotech in Solar Cells
Perovskite solar cells with nanostructured layers achieve record efficiency, surpassing 25%. #nanotech #solar
By Dennis Schroeder / National Renewable Energy Laboratory - https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/perovskite-solar-cells, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=131749994
2019 CE
Lipid Nanoparticles in mRNA Vaccines
Lipid nanoparticles become a key delivery system for mRNA vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines. #nanotech #vaccine
By Andrea Trementozzi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30082797
2020 CE
NSF Nanotechnology Research Investment
The US National Science Foundation allocates significant funding for nanotechnology research, supporting quantum materials and nanoelectronics. #nanotech #NSF
2021 CE
Next-Generation Nanomaterials
Development of MXenes and other 2D materials beyond graphene, expanding the nanomaterial family. #nanotech #2Dmaterials
2022 CE
Nanotechnology in Computing
IBM demonstrates a 2-nanometer chip technology, pushing the limits of silicon nanotechnology. #nanotech #computing
2023 CE
Nanoscale Self-Assembly Advances
Researchers achieve complex 3D nanoscale structures through DNA-directed self-assembly. #nanotech #selfassembly
By Antony-22 - Own work using: Nanoengineer-1: software available under a GPL license. This model uses the PAM5 representation. As described in Goodman, R.P.; Schaap, I.A.T.; Tardin, C.F.; Erben, C.M.; Berry, R.M.; Schmidt, C.F.; Turberfield, A.J. (9 December 2005). "Rapid chiral assembly of rigid DNA building blocks for molecular nanofabrication". Science 310 (5754): 1661–1665. DOI:10.1126/science.1120367. ISSN 0036-8075., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10064210
2024 CE
Graphene-Based Electronics Commercialization
First commercial graphene-based sensors and transistors enter the market, promising improved performance. #nanotech #graphene