TWI Frequently asked questions
by Sam Rostami
There are two separate routes to produce nanostructure. These are commonly described as 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' approaches.
Top-down approach employs techniques such as cutting, etching and lithography to reduce the dimensions of a material to nano scales.
Bottom-up approach involves building-up nanostructures from starting materials such as atoms, molecules and single polymer chains involving techniques such as chemical synthesis, self-assembly and positional-assembly.
Further information
What is nanotechnology?
What applications of nanotechnology are there?
