Nanotechnology could strengthen the nation’s shield against terrorist bombs, biological weapons or attacks on power plants and reservoirs, participants at the Nanotechnology and Homeland Security Forum said Monday.

But homeland security may not benefit from nanotechnology’s potential unless government funding lays the groundwork for the private businesses that could produce new defense products, most experts agreed.

Possible nanotech uses could include self-copying nanoparticles that could be spread in aerosol form to immunize entire populations from the release of bioterror agents, biosensors for such agents, handheld devices that would give the latest information on victim locations and the stability of collapsed structures, and detecting components of explosive devices.