[sergj]

Modern nanotechnology is a multi disciplinary approach using effects on the nanoscale for new technologies. Therefore people from different fields come together to synthesis, simulate, analyse etc. nanoparticles/systems. Of course in the media nanotechnology is this big catch all word, where everybody immediately thinks about self replicating nanomachines - this is still fiction. Eventhough nanotechnology has not fullfilled this science fiction promise of atom precise manipulation the result are still astonishing. Just to name a few: Computerchips, memorychips, displays, catalysts, composite materials, surface coatings…

[api]

I think the argument is that the parts that work are just rebranding of chemistry, physics, and materials engineering.

[patrick0d]

The parts of chemistry that work are just rebrandings of physics and the parts of physics that work are just rebrandings of math. Nanotech is a subset of physics with connections to solid state physics, quantum mechanics, materials science, optics etc. I don't get why people say nanotech is charlantry when the semiconductors chip manufacturing industry is top down nanotech manufacturing.

[chaosite]

Isn't that basically what "multi-disciplinary" means?

Additionally, scientific niches rebranding themselves is a thing that happens, for examples when Computer Science rebranded itself from Mathematics and Electrical Engineering.

[djbusby]

Always has been