What This zero-emission, $45,000 Phoenix electric truck is powered by Altair Nanotechnologies’ NanoSafe battery, which can be charged in as little as 10 minutes. It travels about 130 miles between charges.

When Available in 2008 or 2009.

Smart eyewear

What Contacts with a color-shifting sensor are being developed at the University of Pittsburgh. They let people with diabetes check their blood-sugar level just by glancing in a mirror.

When Expected within five years.

Smart clothing

What Sensatex’s SmartShirt incorporates an electrically conductive grid of nanofibers to allow remote monitoring of your heart rate and other vital signs.

When Expected within a year, pending current testing.

Electronics

What Inside many new computers, such as Apple’s iMac, is an Intel chip containing transistors so small that 100 would fit inside a single human cell. The microscopic circuitry uses less power while boosting performance.

When Available now.

Food safety

What Cornell researchers are developing swabs containing nanosensors that can detect E. coli; avian influenza A (H5N1), the bird-flu virus; and other nasty bugs on countertops or in food, for example.

When Expected within five years.

Appliances

What Nanosilver linings in Samsung’s Quatro refrigerators supposedly inhibit growth of mold and odor-causing bacteria.

When Available overseas now, expected soon in the U.S., pending EPA approval.

Sports gear

What Lightweight, high-strength golf clubs as well as balls that supposedly provide truer putts and straighter drives.

When Available now.