Nanotechnology-what is ahead?

Summary form only given. An overview of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, with a description of various technology components currently on the horizon, is presented. Also, an in-depth discussion of carbon nanotubes (CNT) based nanotechnology is provided. CNT exhibits extraordinary electrical and mechanical properties and offers remarkable potential for revolutionary applications in electronics devices, computing and data storage technology, sensors, composites, storage of hydrogen or lithium for battery development, nanoelectromechanical systems, and as tips in scanning probe microscopy for imaging and nanolithography. The status of nanotechnology research in the US and abroad is presented.