Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology, often shortened to nanotech, is a field of technology involving the manipulation of matter on extremely small scales.

History
The term "nanotechnology" was coined by the Japanese scientist Norio Taniguchi and popularised by K. Eric Drexler.

Human
Humanity first began developing nanotechnology around the turn of the 21st century. The technology saw widespread use by the 26th century, serving as a general-purpose technology on almost all industries.

The UNSC utilizes nanotechnology for several purposes. Nanoreagent hydrocarbots are a suspension of nanomachines that convert carbon-heavy matter into usable fuel for the UNSC's internal combustion power plants, including the hydrogen-injected internal combustion engines used by the M12 Force Application Vehicle and the M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle.

In addition, various nanoscale materials such as carbon nanofibers (primarily carbon nanotubes) have become standard in construction. Due to its great durability and strength, carbon nanotube allows the construction of enormous structures which would be impossible with conventional materials, such as space elevators. Carbon nanotube is also used to construct vehicle tires, such as those of the M12 Warthog FAV. Possessing single-unit nanotube skeletons, the tires perform similar to traditional inflatable tires while being virtually unbreakable.

Nanomachines are also used in conjunction with MJOLNIR armor systems. As of 2552, the UNSC had developed nanotechnology designed to perform repairs on MJOLNIR armor while its Spartan occupant rested in cryo-sleep. Given enough time and in the hands of a capable "smart" AI, these nanomachines were capable of completely overhauling a suit. While the Charon-class light frigate Forward Unto Dawn drifted through space for four years, the AI Cortana used nanomachines to upgrade and re-design John-117's MJOLNIR Mk. VI armor. A similar form of nanotechnology was incorporated into the MJOLNIR Mk. VII, allowing the suit to repair and upgrade itself autonomously during cryo-sleep. This feature was presumably carried over to the MJOLNIR [GEN2].

Forerunner
While no singular examples of Forerunner nanotechnology are known to exist, their level of technological advancement would imply that at least some of their technology involved a form of nanotech.

External link

 *  Center for Responsible Nanotechnology: What is Nanotechnology?