The technological antecedents of nanotechnology

This paper investigates technological and application developments in the emerging nanotechnology sector. In order to gain a better understanding of these developments, the basic scientific and technological antecedents supporting this emerging sector are considered. In addition, the nature of the evolution of one key technology arena, nanostructures, are investigated to gain an indication of the rate of diffusion in the field, and also, to gain a better understanding of which countries are playing a leading role in its´ development. The goal of this analysis is to help planners at both the public policy and organizational levels in the tasks that lay ahead of them.