The nanotechnology industry utilizes inventions involving the manipulation of matter in nanometer scales, a near molecular level. Every industry sector is rapidly innovating using nanotechnology. Example industries innovating with nanotechnology include medicine, automotive, chemical, electrical, mechanical, communications, semiconductor, quantum computing, and aerospace, to name a few.
Nanotechnology presents unique challenges for drafting and prosecuting patent applications. Manipulating matter at the nanometer scale creates new structures and transforms known structures, bridging classical and quantum physics. Key challenges include describing structural and functional differences from larger-scale counterparts, understanding both nanotechnological aspects and relevant industry technologies, and protecting and enforcing IP rights for manufacturing and usage methods.