I'm starting out with some normal, acceptable ones before I get into the weird ones.
Nanoparticle (doi: 10.1038/nbt1100)
This was one of the first terms used, and is perfectly acceptable.
Nanocrystal (doi: 10.1002/anie.200705806)
Nothing special about this one, fairly boring term. Could be replaced with nanoparticle in some cases, but it's fine.
Nanosphere (doi: 10.1021/ja028650l)
Most nanoparticles are nanospheres, but I suppose this is a more descriptive term.
Nanotube (doi: 10.1021/nl0804295)
With a title like: "Synthesis of High Aspect-Ratio Carbon Nanotube “Flying Carpets” from Nanostructured Flake Substrates", I was really disappointed to not find the term "nano-flying carpet".
Nanorod (doi: 10.1021/ic8000416)
Nothing wrong with this one, it's descriptive and reasonable enough.
Nanowire (doi: 10.1126/science.1157131)
In this paper, they were so close to saying the phrase 'nanotree'; I appreciate them not, but not for the purpose of this article.
Nanoislands (doi: 10.1002/adma.200701383)
Nanoislands are usually just the source of nanorods, (or nanowires...) but do they really need a name?
Nanorice (doi: 10.1002/adma.200701782)
Another term which could be replaced with nanorod. From the image below, I see how that makes you think of rice, but it's still a nanorod!
Nano-whiskers (doi: 10.1063/1.1418446)
How many different ways do we need to say nanorod???
Nano-checkerboard (doi: 10.1021/cm800473m)
I admittedly didn't read this too carefully, but playing a game of nanocheckers or chess was never brought up. Sad.
Nanomedicine (doi: 10.1038/nnano.2008.114)
I imagine that this is about the science of healing Keebler elves. This is actually a picture of snap, crackle, and pop; are they the same thing as the Keelber elves?
Nano-horn (doi: 10.1016/S0009-2614(99)00642-9)
Nano-aggregate
Look at the picture below, would you call that a horn? I suppose there's a resemblance, but there really is no need for this term. And nano-aggregate? Why not just aggregate; the term aggregate doesn't necessarily apply only to the macroscale. Two unnecessary 'nanoterms' in one paper, sigh.
Nanomanipulation (doi: 10.1038/nnano.2008.114)
In this article, they use 'molecular cranes' to manipulate things on the nanoscale. The lack of pictures makes me sad.
Nanotweezers (doi: 10.1126/science.286.5447.2148)
A nice follow to nanomanipulation.
Nanolithography (doi: 10.1126/science.286.5439.523)
Nano-Plotter
C'mon! Firstly, I see no use for this, but secondly... nanolithography... ugh.
Nanochannels (doi: 10.1002/adma.200701490)
I suppose this one's okay, but it still doesn't sit right with me.
Nanodiamond (doi: 10.1038/nnano.2008.99)
'Will you marry me?' *opens ring box*
'Uhhh... is that an empty ring?'
'No, silly; it has a nanodiamond!'
Nano-HPLC (doi: 10.1021/ac000497v)
Great, now the 'nanoterms' have moved from materials chemistry to analytical, swell.
Honorable Mention (ref: Newsvine)
Unfortunately it's just called a microscopic noodle bowl, and not nanonoodles.
Maybe I'll write a follow up to this, there are certainly more terms I could pull up, but for now I'm too annoyed to go on.
Godspeed.
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