Nanoscience – from manipulation of atoms to human needs

Abstract Nanoscience and nanotechnology are an extrapolation from the field of microtechnology to the atomic level. The development is based on the 60-year-old message of R. Feynman, ‘There's plenty of room at the bottom’. His vision has fertilised at the turn of the millennium with the announcement of generously funded nanotechnology initiatives. The journey was paved by seven Nobel Prizes (1986–2016) for new microscopes, low-dimensional materials (fullerenes, graphene), theories and computer methods up to the building of molecular engines. However, the enthusiasm for this technically and IT-oriented ‘business as usual’ partly dissolves in the problems of a planet burdened by climate change, depletion of raw materials, new diseases and pandemics. It is a challenge for nanoscience to adapt to these goals. Therefore, after a brief recapitulation of the history and achievements of nanotechnology, the paper will focus on its new directions. Among them, nanomedicine and pharmacy are of the topmost interest. Moreover, in the interaction of the nanoworld with humans, cross-sectional topics such as nanoethics and nanotoxicology (hampered by commercial interests) must be placed at a higher level at the same time as addressing specific applications. The world counts on nanomedicine at first in areas where overcoming of physiological barriers is not so difficult. These are dentistry and dermatology. In pharmacy, promising is the administration of drugs by methods of a ‘Trojan horse’ – their introduction directly to a therapeutic target. We also provide examples of gas nanosensors for diagnostics. These topics will be processed in such a way as to highlight the importance of nanoscience for human health.