At the nanoscale, chain reactions often involve the interaction of nanoparticles with other molecules or particles. Due to the high surface area-to-volume ratio, nanoparticles can act as catalysts, initiating and sustaining chain reactions. For instance, in a catalytic reaction, a nanoparticle can adsorb a reactant, facilitate its transformation into a product, and then release the product to start the process anew. This can lead to a self-sustaining reaction sequence that can be harnessed for various applications.