Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers.[1]
Humanity has dabbled with nano technology, but the Guardians’ achievements far surpassed our own.[2] The material panels and relics found at Guardian sites incorporate nanobot technology which activates when in proximity to a foreign body. This explains the faint glow given off by many Guardian materials and structures.[2][3]
Mineral Extractors - found in the commodity markets of many Industrial systems - use 'grey-goo' components, which are another name for Nanotechnology. These micro devices are injected into minerals to separate specific constituents from mixed ores along grain boundaries.[4]