[Nanotechnology and nephrology].

Nowadays, nanotechnology and microfluidic technologies are emerging as enabling factors for the operation of lab-on-chip devices and micro total analysis systems in the biotechnological and biomedical fields. These devices allow to reduce the waste of reagents and products, and to increase analytical precision and operational throughput. The field of nanotechnology is introduced in this paper and some manufacturing methods at the nanometer and micrometer scale are presented, together with their potential application in producing biomedical devices for filtration and solute elimination. Examples will include electron-beam lithography, soft lithography, and electrospinning of nanofiber scaffolds for tissue engineering.