Let's Get Small
	Nanotech: sounds tiny, but it's hitting the big time
	By JENNIFER L. SCHENKER

Posted Sunday, March 17, 2003 14:05 GMT
Small is really big these days. For years, the technology and investment worlds have been buzzing about nanotechnology, the science of creating infinitesimally small machines. Now nanotechnology is ready to leave the lab. NanoMuscle, a California company headed by Scotsman Rod MacGregor, makes miniature motors which are smaller and lighter than the conventional electric devices that go into everyday products such as digital cameras and CD players.

The market for linear miniature motors is worth $3.8 billion, according to MacGregor, and one of the biggest areas is toys. NanoMuscle introduced its first consumer product, Baby Bright Eyes, made by Playmates Toys, last month. Its peepers do a better job mimicking human eye movement because the motors are smaller, lighter and silent. The doll can open her eyes, blink, look around and close them, in response to a child. The next step: cars.

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