Nanotechnology refers to constructing and engineering functional systems at the atomic scale, around 1 to 100 nanometers. The field was first introduced in 1959 and has since seen advances like the scanning tunneling microscope and discovery of fullerenes. Government funding for nanotechnology research in India has increased from 350 crores in 2002-2006 to over 200 million currently under the Department of Science and Technology. Potential applications of nanotechnology include medicine, manufacturing, defense, and environmental remediation. In medicine, nanotechnology could help target drug delivery, tissue repair, and create "nanorobots" to aid the body. However, risks need to be addressed regarding long term impact within the body and environment.