Materials in the nanometer scale, such as colloidal dispersions and thin films, have been studied over many years and many physical properties related to the nanometer size, such as coloration of gold nanoparticles, have been known for centuries. One of the critical challenges faced currently by researchers in the nanotechnology and nanoscience fields is the inability and the lack of instruments to observe measure and manipulate the materials at the nanometer level by manifesting at the macroscopic level. In the past, the studies have been focused mainly on the collective behaviors and properties of a large number of nanostructured materials. The properties and behaviors observed and measured are typically group characteristics. A better fundamental understanding and various potential applications increasingly demand the ability and instrumentation to observe, measure and manipulate the individual nanomaterials and nanostructures.