What is the Difference Between Nano and Micro?

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The terms "nano" and "micro" refer to different scales of measurement. Here are the key differences between the two:

  • Nano: One nanometer is equal to 10^-9 (a billionth) of a meter. Nanotechnology deals with objects at the nanometer scale, which is less than 100 nanometers in at least one dimension. The nano scale is commonly used in industries such as MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and NanoElectroMechanical Systems (NEMS).
  • Micro: One micrometer (also known as a micron) is equal to 10^-6 (a millionth) of a meter. Micro technology involves the manufacturing and manipulation of objects at the micrometer scale. This scale is used in various applications, including MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS).

In summary, the main difference between nano and micro lies in the scale of measurement. Nano refers to objects and processes at the nanometer scale (10^-9 meters), while micro refers to objects and processes at the micrometer scale (10^-6 meters). Both scales are used in various industries and applications, such as MEMS and NEMS, to create smaller and more efficient components and systems.

Comparative Table: Nano vs Micro

Here is a table comparing the differences between nano and micro:

Feature Nano Micro
Memory Configuration More flash memory (2KB used by bootloader) Less flash memory (4KB used by bootloader)
Input Voltage 5-12V recommended, 7-12V required for some functions 5-12V recommended, 7-12V required for some functions
Power Connector Mini-B USB Micro-B USB
Processor/Microcontroller ATmega328P (Common 8-bit AVR MCU) ATmega32U4 (Enhanced 8-bit AVR with built-in USB support)
Physical Size Length x Width: 18 x 45 mm Length x Width: 18 x 45 mm
Mounting Holes No No
Digital Pins 12 More than Nano
Analog Pins 10 More than Nano
PWM Pins 11 More than Nano
SRAM Less SRAM than Micro More SRAM than Nano
Price $14.99 (unofficial) $19.95

Both the Nano and Micro are based on the Arduino Uno, but they have different microcontrollers and memory configurations. The Nano has a larger flash memory due to the smaller bootloader, while the Micro has more digital, analog, and PWM pins than the Nano.