Call me a science geek (you wouldn’t be the first…), but I love learning about nanotechnology. Sure, some of the science has been overhyped, but there is an abundance of high-level, cutting-edge research that has the potential to revolutionize the way we do, well, almost everything.

In tonight’s broadcast, I talk about the use of nano-sized detectors to root out food pathogens and clean up our food supply. But I’m continually amazed at how this science of the super small applies to a field that is so…large. When you talk about “nano” research, you’re really talking about research in fields as diverse as medicine, engineering, cosmetics, textiles, food – the list goes on and on.

With an area that broad, you run the risk of lumping all of nanotechnology together, when the benefits and risks will be very different depending on the specific field you’re talking about. Nano particles in sunscreen will have different risks than nano materials in, say, solar panels or even food packaging.

All nano particles are not created equal.

But industry and government haven’t done a great job explaining nanotechnology to the public, and that could spell bad news for nano researchers and investors. Some analysts say lack of information could breed public resistance, which would kill the industry. Remember the debate over genetically modified foods?

So how much do you know about nanotechnology? Are you more concerned about some of the risks or more excited about some of the benefits? What roles do you see government and industry playing as nano develops?