A million times smaller than a grain of sand, curling, turning and swirling in the thin, translucent tubes that bring life to every organ in your body, they have one mission: to destroy any toxin that crosses its path.

The science fiction-like nano robot is being developed to rid your body of foreign elements through the veins and the circulatory system. This is just one of the amazing nanotechnology products revolutionizing the way we live our lives.

Nano has definitely become a catchy word lately, but who actually knows what nanotechnology can be used for or what it’s capable of doing?

“I think that ‘nano’ has become a great buzz word for marketing and sales, and seems to be applied indiscriminately,” says Paul Russman, director of research operations for the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility. “To be considered nanotechnology, there are certain qualities and characteristics it must uphold.”

Nanotechnology—products using objects the size of a pollen grain or a red blood cell with dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers (one billionth of a meter)—are used to eliminate everyday problems by producing wrinkle-free clothing and stain-free, washable mattresses. Heavy, bulky products can be transformed to smaller, lighter ones, like the iPod nano, the stronger and lighter Babolat tennis racquet and the longer-lasting Wilson tennis balls. Now there’s even water repellants for the exterior of your home or the car windshield.

Chanel, one of fashion’s innovative leaders, has also joined the bandwagon and added nano-emulsion technology to their new Fresh Moisture Mist, to make a faster absorbing, lighter and more translucent moisturizer for women.

“It actually is lighter than other moisturizers I’ve used,” says Lauren Fini, 23, fashion merchandising graduate and Sephora shopper. “Other moisturizers leave a thick coating on your skin that turns into oil as the day goes on. This one is so light, it feels like nothing was put on your face.”

But how does nanotechnology actually do these things?

Nano-Tex, based in Emeryville, was the first company to use nanotechnology to create fabrics for clothing and interiors that repel liquids, release stains, eliminate static and wick moisture. Name-brand retailers like Nordstrom, Levi, Champion and Simmons and Serta sell their products.

“Rather than coat the fabrics with chemicals, the nano-scale molecules are added by dipping fabric into a proprietary solution before the fabric is ever cut,” says Matt Hurwitz, PR representative for Nano-Tex. “The molecules are so small that they easily penetrate the fabric and attach themselves to every fiber without changing the aesthetics or breathability of the cloth.”

Now babies can jump into a Nano Bag—a brightly colored, soft, plush fleece product that looks like a sleeping bag. With nanotech water and stain repellant properties to the rescue, the Nano Bag is perfect for the mom-on-the-go and her inherently messy baby.

“It really is amazing how water, grape juice and whatever else she spills just beads right off the fabric, leaving no trace behind,” says Elizabeth Bordeaux, 42, mother of two girls.

The future of nanotechnology looks bright. With implantable devices that administer and monitor drug levels and have sensors to detect airborne chemicals like Anthrax in airports to even more innovative high-performance materials that can be used in everything from electronics to cosmetics.

The science of the small is ready to transform your world. Are you ready?