How is the word nano used in connection with technology? How is this connected with the picometer?

Question

Please give a clear understandable anwser.

Answer 1

meter = 1 meter
millimeter = 10^-3 meters
micrometer = 10^-6 meters
nanometer = 10^-9 meters
picometer = 10^-12 meters

nanometers, in the world of IC chips, describe the size of the gate of the transitors. I suppose you could say 65,000 picometers instead of 65 nanometer technology.

Answer 2

A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. 1 nm = 10^-9 meter. A picometer is a trillionth of a meter. 1pm = 10^-12m. Bond distances in molecules between atoms are about 100pm.

Some people want to build extremely small structures, from atoms or hundreds of atoms in length width or depth. They would like these structures to perform useful functions, such as enter persons' bodies and cure diseases at the level of individual cells. Also, it might be good if these nanostructures could reproduce and produce more of useful objects like themselves.

Other persons are horrifiedd at this prospect. They think that humans could wind up inventing a "gray goo," which would reproduce itself, go everywhere, and destroy everything.

Others better read than I will refer you to a novel by Michael Chrichton that decribes what could go wrong. Others also will tell you that none of this can ever happen because of the "thick fingers problem" and the "sticky fingers problem." Thick fingers are too thick to pick up atoms and place them where the person wants. Sticky fingers won't let go of an atom once they put the atom where they want it.