In this talk I shall provide a brief overview of technologies where nanoscience and technology can provide value addition to both existing technologies as well as to a few emerging ones. A few specific areas of applications such as nanocomposites, nanocatalysts and energy storage shall be discussed. The second part of the talk will demonstrate how basic physics can still be a useful tool to solve a practical problem associated with quantum dot lasing. I shall discuss the physics of nanocrystal lasing and demonstrate a procedure for fabricating novel core-shell nanostructures that can eliminate the problem of non-radiative auger transition that will eventually lead to single-exciton lasing.
