What’s the difference between nanotechnology and “green” nanotechnology? Bethany Manyard, precocious youth and nanotech advocate, will tell you. It seems the difference is that nanotech can do all kinds of cool things, but it could be harmful to human health and the environment. Green nanotech, however, can do all kinds of cool things for the environment, but it could still be harmful to human health and the, um, environment… Sounds great, huh? Bethany Manyard also tries really hard to stain a nanotech-guarded stain-proof tie, to no avail.

A biodegradable napkin has been developed which can use nanofibers to detect and identify biohazards. Biomarkers which change colors when exposed to specific biohazards can be embedded in the nanofibers in the napkins, which are, as I said, biodegradable. Does this count as green nanotech? So, it could be, well, hazardous to human health and the environment. So, why even bother throwing in the word “biodegradable,” when disposing of these napkins is (hopefully) illegal?

The world’s smallest test tubes, nanotubes, are about three atoms across. Or maybe it would be better to say that they are approximately a billion times smaller than a shot glass. Ordering a nano-round is a good move when going out for drinks on the cheap. So is slipping out the back door of the bar…

While not quite considered “nanotech,” scientists have developed self-healing coatings for surfaces out of nucleotides (the “N” in the world-famous molecule, DNA). This is a wonderful development for the anti-biotech and the anti-nanotech movements, that can now unite to protect us from nanofibers embedded in plastics made from genetically-engineered corn that is coated with self-healing DNA-based polymer.

And a non-nano sized technology, the iPod Nano, is now available in black, silver, green, blue and pink with up to 8GB memory. So if you’re in the market for a new iPod (or feel like buying me one), they’re pretty sweet.