Nanoparticles are really tiny manufactured objects, no bigger than a clump of atoms.A They are being engineered into materials with unique electrical, chemical and optical properties.

According to a report released by the National Research Council , human and environmental safeties of nanomaterials remain uncertain despite the spending of billions of dollars in nanotechnology research and development over the past ten years.

The sale's timeframe will be chiefly contingent on market conditions, but Chubais hopes that it will be conducted by the close of 2012.