High-speed computing and postsilicon electronic devices
Continuation of Moore’s law (e.g., Intel plans for transistors that are 3 nm long and three atoms thick to make a 10-GHz chip).

High-speed genomic drug modeling (e.g., Intel, Compaq, and Celera are collaborating to build a 100-gigaflop proteomic analysis computer).

Materials and manufacture
Quantity sales of buckytubes (e.g., the goal of a new firm founded by Nobel laureate Richard E. Smalley).

New and improved fabrics (e.g., Burlington Industries/Nano-Tex line of wrinkle-, stain-, and water-resistant clothing).

Paints (e.g., German nanoscientists perfecting coatings and paints that can fill in cracks or release fire retardants).

Coatings for cosmetics, biosensors, and abrasion-resistant polymers; small-grained ceramic composites for stain and wear resistance (e.g., research is under way at several National Aeronautics and Space Administration laboratories).

Medicine and pharmaceuticals
MEMS/nanodevices to separate DNA fragments and speed sequencing (e.g., Sandia National Laboratory’s microfluidics project).

A bio/silicon “interface” for diagnostics, sensors, pharmacogenetics, and drug discovery applications (e.g., Nanogen’s “lab-on-a-chip” automated molecular analysis system).

Fluid membrane networks for solid-state devices for microfluidics and microelectronics (e.g., a project at Gothenburg University in Sweden).

Environment and energy
Buckytubes to store hydrogen for batteries and electric motors (e.g., National University of Singapore’s demonstration project).

Remediation of biological wastes (e.g., Lightyear’s prototype encapsulation system for removal of ultrafine contaminants).

Molecular-engineered biodegradable chemicals for nourishing plants and protecting against insects.