Materials science is divided into disciplines based on the properties of bulk materials. However, common rules that govern phenomena at nanoscales are eliminating those boundaries between disciplines. in order to support more effective education, research, development, and manufacturing in materials science, a Japanese national project for structuring knowledge of materials nanotechnology is underway. Examples of the effect of structuring knowledge on the relationships between processes and material structures are shown for vapor-deposition processes and nanoparticle coating and drying processes. A knowledge platform, into which this generalized nanotechnology knowledge is to be integrated, is outlined in this paper. The key purpose of structuring knowledge is to stimulate idea generation based on a fundamental and general understanding of underlying mechanisms. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.