1. Context

It should be remembered that the term "nanotechnology" is commonly used to designate all techniques for machining matter to nanometric precision (nano = 10 ^–9 ). Picotechnologies lie at the confluence of several breakthroughs.

• The first break with nanotechnology is the picometric precision with which the machine's parts are manufactured. The machine's overall dimensions are therefore nanometric.

• Secondly, control techniques, manufacturing and nano-communication tools must be adapted to the picometric precision of the machine's construction....