people are doing many different types of work in the field of nanotechnology. most current work looks at making nanoparticles (particles with nanometer size) that have special properties, such as the way they scatter light, absorb x-rays, transport electrical currents or heat, etc. at the more "science fiction" end of the field are attempts to make small copies of bigger machines or really new ideas for structures that make themselves. new materials are possible with nano size structures. it is even possible to work with single atoms.