biotechnology

n 1: the branch of molecular biology that studies the use of

microorganisms to perform specific industrial processes;

"biotechnology produced genetically altered bacteria

that solved the problem"

2: the branch of engineering science in which biological

science is used to study the relation between workers and

their environments [syn: {bioengineering}, {ergonomics}]

nanotechnology

/nan'-oh-tek-no"l▫-jee/ A hypothetical fabrication technology

in which objects are designed and built with the individual

specification and placement of each separate atom. The first

unequivocal nanofabrication experiments took place in 1990,

for example with the deposition of individual xenon atoms on a

nickel substrate to spell the logo of a certain very large

computer company. Nanotechnology has been a hot topic in the

hacker subculture ever since the term was coined by K. Eric

Drexler in his book "Engines of Creation", where he predicted

that nanotechnology could give rise to replicating assemblers,

permitting an exponential growth of productivity and personal

wealth.

See also {nanobot}.

{(http://www.lucifer.com/~sean/Nano.html)}

(1996-01-10)