Nanopowders are powders composed of nanoparticles, that is particles having an average diameter from 30 to 50 nm. True nanoparticles exist in a stage where they are free to move in relationship with each other and accordingly when not in liquid suspension resemble smoke particles. A complex nanopowder is a one where each individual particle is composed of a complex chemical compound having have two or more different cations (positively charged elements) in their chemical formula. An example of a complex compound is calcium titanate (CaTiO3). Nanocomposit powder made of tungsten-carbide-cobalt (grain size less than 15nm) is used to make a sintered alloy as hard as diamond, which is in turn used to make cutting tools, drill bits, armor plate, and jet engine parts.

Nano-whiskers are even used to treat cloth. For example a process that coats each fiber of fabric with nano-whiskers, makes khakis, a dress shirt and even a tie treated with what is called "Stain Defender".