Jon Nelson, of Ritsumeikan University, in Japan, has calculated that the most important property involved is the surface tension of the tiny clusters of water molecules from which snowflakes form.

ECONOMIST: Atmospheric science

There are certain scenarios, says Dr Lagace, where you might want to use a material because of its surface properties, but you might not want that property all the way through the material.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

Nano-composite plastics are going to be a major component of nano-enhanced food packaging, and Nanocor has more than 40 issued patents in its intellectual property portfolio, primarily regarding the creation of nanoclays and nanomer surface treatments.

FORBES: Safer And Guilt-Free Nano Foods