Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Introduction Nanotechnology a term coined by K Eric Drexler in 1992 2 refers to manipulation of matter (with at least one dimensional size) from 1 to over 100 nanometer size to create new properties. All materials in nanoscale sizes are referred to as nanomaterials. They have quite a large surface area to volume ratio. This single characteristic paves way for new quantum mechanical effects and provides tremendous driving force for diffusion at elevated temperature. Types of carbon nanomaterials There are two types of Carbon nanomaterials Fullerenes: These are a class of allotropes of carbon which conceptually are graphene sheets rolled into tubes or spheres. They include carbon nanotubes or silicon nanotubes. They are of interest because of their mechanical strength and electrical properties. Common fullerenes include Bucky ball clusters (found in soot or coal), Nanotubes or cylindrical fullerenes, Mega tubes, 2D and 3D polymers and Nano-onions. 3 The transition of these materials is from Fullerenes to Nanotubes and most recently to Graphenes. 4 Nanoparticles: These are inorganic nanomaterials. They are made from metals, semiconductors and other particles that have great chemical, physical, electrical and magnetic properties e.g Quantum dots, Nanowires, Nanorods Clay nanoparticles, Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, Zinc oxide nanoparticles, Nanoparticles of yellow gold and Nanoparticles of gray Silicon. 4–6 Basically two kinds of Carbon nanoparticles exists-nano diamond and Carbon onions. Applications of nanotechnology i. Fullerenes fnd application in the medical feld because of their ability to bind certain types of anti-biotics to the structure of resistant bacteria. ii. Nanotubes have potential application in electrical industry. iii. Mega tubes are mostly used in transport of variety of molecules having different sizes. 5 iv. Nano-onions are proposed for lubricants. v. Nanoparticles fnd its main application in production of chemical catalysts. vi. Nanoparticles also fnd application in thermal therapies for Cancer. 7 Gold nanorods, Gold nano cages and Carbon nanotubes are being tested in vitro and in vivo to target tumor cells. 8 vii. Nanoparticles are used in biomedical applications as drug carriers and imaging agents. viii. Nanoparticles are used in optoelectronics. 6 ix. Nanoparticles have also been attached to textile fbres in order to create smart and functional clothing. 9 x. Clay nanoparticles when incorporated into polymer matrices increase reinforcement, leading to stronger plastics- hardnoparticles. 9 xi. Liposomes {prototype semi-solid and soft nanoparticles} are currently used clinically as drugs/vaccine delivery systems. 7 xii. Nanomaterials are employed in nuclear accident clean up. xiii. Nanomaterials are also employed in reduction of energy consumption xiv. Consumer products: With nanoparticles in consumer products, A. Car bumpers are made lighter. B. Clothing is more stain repellent. C. Sunscreen is more radiation resistant. D. Synthetic bones are stronger. E. Cell phone screens are lighter weight. F. Glass packaging for drinks leads to longer shelf life. G. Balls for various sports are made more durable. Nanotechnology and biosensor research Nanotechnology is having a profound effect on the development of new biosensor. Biosensor comprise a biological molecule immobilized into the surface of a signal transducer to give a solid state. Analytical device. There are two major areas where nanotechnology has drastically impacted on biosensor research in the last two years. One is Nanofabrication of biosensing interface, two is application of new materials to biosensoring. 10 Int J Biosen Bioelectron. 2017;2(5):136‒139 136 © 2017 Ejeta et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially. Impact of nanotechnology in nigeria: a short survey Volume 2 Issue 5 - 2017 Ejeta KO, Dolor GA, Ndubuka GI, Nkuma- Udah KI, Azeez TO, Odugwu O Federal University of Technology, Nigeria Correspondence: Ejeta KO, Federal University of Technology, PMB 1526 Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, Tel +2348038795184, Email koejeta@yahoo.co.uk Received: December 26, 2016 | Published: May 15, 2017 Abstract Nanotechnology, one of the foremost alternative modern technologies of the twenty-first century offers enormous benefits and opportunities through synthesis, characterization and fabrication of quite vast number of nanomaterial to solve societal immediate problems. Structured questionnaires were administered to three different industries in each of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, a Country located in West Africa bordering the gulf of Guinea, Niger and Chad (North), Benin (West) and Cameroon (East) to determine the impact of nanotechnology. The data emanating from this study were analyzed using multiple regression analysis, correlation analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) 1 and likert 5 scales with T-test utilized in determining levels of significance. The findings are reported and discussed. Keywords: nanotechnology, impact, nanomaterials, societal problems International Journal of Biosensors & Bioelectronics Mini Review Open Access