Nanomaterials are materials that have been specifically designed at the nanoscale to take advantage of their unique properties. Nanomaterials are often used in nanotechnology, a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of very small devices. Nanomaterials can be made from a variety of different materials, including metals, semiconductors, and even carbon. They often have very different properties than their bulk counterparts, and can be much stronger, harder, or more conductive. Nanomaterials are also often used to create nanodevices, which are devices that are just a few atoms or molecules in size.
Some of the emerging trends in nanomaterials include the use of nanomaterials for energy storage applications, the use of nanomaterials for water purification, and the use of nanomaterials for cancer treatment.