Nanotechnology research aims to devise new atomic- and molecular-scale structures and devices and to discover and understand their scientific foundations. This aim is spearheaded by a group of people who continue to creatively explore it. Here is a list of scientists and business leaders who have contributed actively in the field of nanotechnology.
• RICHARD FEYNMAN : Feynman worked as a professor at Cornell University, and then moved to Cal Tech in Pasadena, Calif., where he did much of his best work including research in quantum electrodynamics, the physics of the super fluidity of super cooled liquid helium, and a model of weak decay. He also developed Feynman diagrams, a book keeping device that helps in conceptualizing and calculating interactions between particles in space-time, notably the interactions between electrons and their antimatter counterparts, positrons.

• RICHARD SMALLEY: A professor at Rice University, Smalley is credited with discovering C60, the buckminsterfullerene. Also known as the buckyball, this is the key to the molecular structures which are most often used in nanotechnology. He founded the company Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc.

• CHARLES LIEBER: Charles Lieber is a Harvard University professor who developed the synthesis, characterization, and development of nano-scale wires. He founded the company Nanosys, Inc.

• HONGJIE DAI: Hongjie Dai of Stanford University studies the suitability of carbon nanotubes for future miniaturized devices. Because of the small size of carbon nanotubes this calls for extreme precision as he tries figure out their unique quantum effects.

• JAMES HEATH: James Heath helped run the experimental apparatus that helped Smalley discover C60 at Rice. He pioneered the molecular switch, using nanowires and molecules, and also developed a scanning optical microscope used to noninvasively probe the electrical functions of living cells.

• JAMES VON EHR II: He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Zyvex Corporation, a company that specializes in nano-size manipulators. These tools allow scientists to work with nano-sized structures under a microscope.

• GEORGE WHITESIDES: A chemistry professor at Harvard and a member of the Nanotechnology Technical Advisory Board. George Whitesides' research influences material science, surface science, micro fluidics, self-assembly, and nanotechnology.

• PAUL ALIVISATOS: His major contribution to technology is his work with semi conducting nanocrystals. The crystals come in different shapes and sizes, such as quantum dots, nanorods, and tetra pods.

• ANGELA BELCHER: Belcher pioneered the use of genetically modified viruses in the self-assembly of nanowires, thin films, and other nanomaterials. Her work has a direct impact on drug discovery and delivery, materials and catalysts, and self-assembling electronic materials. • ERIC DREXLER : Eric Drexler developed ideas about molecular nanotechnology (MNT). The term nanotechnology was unknowingly appropriated by Drexler in his 1986 book Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology to describe what later became known as molecular nanotechnology (MNT). In that book, he proposed the idea of a nanoscale "assembler" which would be able to build a copy of itself and of other items of arbitrary complexity. He also first published the term "grey goo" to describe what might happen if a hypothetical self-replicating molecular nanotechnology went out of control. His vision of nanotechnology spurred its growth.
• Naomi Halas : Naomi Halas of Rice University has invented tiny structures called "gold nanoshells," which may someday help treat tumors. Halas tunes the nanoparticles to absorb a specific wavelength of light that passes harmlessly through the human body. When that light hits the injected nanoshells, they grow hot enough to burn away targeted nearby tissue such as a tumor.

• Jennifer West : Jennifer West is a researcher at Rice University. She has demonstrated the use of 120 nm diameter nanoshells coated with gold to kill cancer tumors and target to bond to cancerous cells by conjugating antibodies or peptides to the nanoshell surface. She is working with nanoshells that find and "cook" cancer cells.

• James Tour : He is a synthetic organic chemist, specializing in nanotechnology. He is well-known for his work in molecular electronics and molecular switching molecules. He has also been involved in other work, such as the creation of a nanocar and NanoKids. Tour's work spans an incredible breadth, from building tiny cars and trucks out of molecules, to making computer memory from graphite, building tiny missiles that carry drugs to tumors and trying to cure radiation sickness.

• Mark Reed : He used nanotechnology to come up with an inexpensive replacement for silicon-based computer chips and venture capitalists. Currently editor-in-chief. Reed is actively involved with key decisions in steering the journal as a leading publication in a research area of explosive development. He has contributed to nanotechnology in areas from quantum dots to molecular electronics. He has designed a new approach for creating nanodevices that allows them to integrate directly with microelectronic systems. This novel technology has broad application for low-cost, highly sensitive detection of molecules including biomolecules for medical diagnostics and therapeutics.

• Steve Jurvetson : He is a Managing Director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, industrialist and a nanotechnology supporter. His technical experience includes programming, materials science research (TEM atomic imaging of GaAs).

• Josh Wolfe : He is co-founder and managing partner of Lux Capital, a venture firm focused on investing in nanotechnology. He is also the author of the groundbreaking “Nanotech Report. He is a senior Associate of the Foresight Institute for Nanotechnology and Co-Founder of the NanoBusiness Alliance. He has invested in nanotechnology.

• John Kanzius: He has invented a radio machine which uses a combination of radio waves and carbon or gold nanoparticles to destroy cancer cells.