Focus On Nanomaterials Research

Nanotechnology is a 'catch-all' description of activities at the level of atoms and molecules that have applications in the real world. A nanometre is a billionth of a meter, about 1/80,000 of the diameter of a human hair, or 10 times the diameter of a hydrogen atom. Nanotechnology is now used in precision engineering, new materials development as well as in electronics; electromechanical systems as well as mainstream biomedical applications in areas such as gene therapy, drug delivery and novel drug discovery techniques. This book presents the latest research in this frontier field.

Nanotechnology is a 'catch-all' description of activities at the level of atoms and molecules that have applications in the real world. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter, about 1/80,000 of the diameter of a human hair, or 10 times the diameter of a hydrogen atom. Nanotechnology is now used in precision engineering, new materials development as well as in electronics; electromechanical systems as well as mainstream biomedical applications in areas such as gene therapy, drug delivery and novel drug discovery techniques. This book presents the latest research in this frontier field. Contents: Preface; Electrospinning: A Novel Method for Metal Oxide Fibres; Nanofocusing Probe Optimisation in a Near-Field Head for an Ultra-High Density Optical Memory; Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Metallic Nanocluster Interfaces; Pre- and Post-Breakdown Conduction of Thin SiO2 Gate Oxides of MOS Devices: A Conductive Atomic Force Microscope Study; Topographic and Electrical Characterisation of Afm-Grown SiO2 on Si; Solvothermal Route used to Synthesize BN Nanocrystals and the Catalytic Effect of BN Nanocrystals; Covalently Attached Multilayer Self-Assembly Films and Micropatterns Comprising Metal

Annual Review of Nano Research, Volume 3 focuses mainly on nanofabrication, nanomaterials and nanostructures, and energy application of nanomaterials. All the review chapters are contributed by well-published scientists and bring the most recent advancement in selected topics to the readers. This review volume will serve dual purposes: either as an excellent introduction to scientists whose expertise lie in different fields but who are interested in learning about nanotechnology, or as a quick reference for experts active in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: Nanoscale Biosensors and Biochips (64 KB). Contents: Nanoscale Biosensors and Biochips (W R Leifert et al.); Surface Modifications and Applications of Magnetic and Selective Nonmagnetic Nanoparticles (R Shen & H Yang); Progress in Bionanocomposite Materials (E Ruiz-Hitzky et al.); Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications (J L Vivero-Escoto et al.); Nanostructured Mesoporous Materials as Drug Delivery Systems (I Izquierdo-Barba et al.); Chemical Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles (S Peng et al.); Recent Development and Applications of Nanoimprint Technology (X Cheng & L J Guo); Three-Dimensional Nanostructure Fabrication by Focused-Ion-Beam Chemical-Vapor-Deposition (S Matsui); Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Nanostructured Zinc Oxide (Q-F Zhang & G-Z Cao); Nanocomposites as High Efficiency Thermoelectric Materials (S J Thiagarajan et al.); Nanostructured Materials for Hydrogen Storage (S Sepehri & G-Z Cao); Recent Advances in the Characterization of Mesoporous Materials by Physical Adsorption (M Thommes). Readership: Research scientists and engineers in academia, research institutes and industry, as well as graduate students and upper-level undergraduate students in the physical sciences and engineering.

This volume presents a comprehensive perspective on the global scientific, technological, and societal impact of nanotechnology since 2000, and explores the opportunities and research directions in the next decade to 2020. The vision for the future of nanotechnology presented here draws on scientific insights from U.S. experts in the field, examinations of lessons learned, and international perspectives shared by participants from 35 countries in a series of high-level workshops organized by Mike Roco of the National Science Foundation (NSF), along with a team of American co-hosts that includes Chad Mirkin, Mark Hersam, Evelyn Hu, and several other eminent U.S. scientists. The study performed in support of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) aims to redefine the R&D goals for nanoscale science and engineering integration and to establish nanotechnology as a general-purpose technology in the next decade. It intends to provide decision makers in academia, industry, and government with a nanotechnology community perspective of productive and responsible paths forward for nanotechnology R&D.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was created in 2000 to focus and coordinate the nanoscience and nanotechnology research and development (R&D) activities being funded by several federal agencies. The purpose of the NNI is to marshal these research activities in order to accelerate responsible development and deployment of nanotechnology for economic benefit and national security. To take stock of the progress of the NNI, Congress, in P. L. 108-153, the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, directed the National Research Council to carry out a review of the program every three years. This report presents the results of the first of those reviews, which addresses the economic impact of nanotechnology developments and provides a benchmark of U.S. R&D efforts relative to those undertaken by foreign competitors. In addition, the report offers an assessment of the current status of responsible development of nanotechnology and comments on the feasibility of molecular self-assembly.

"This reference of contributed chapters seeks to address not only how nanomaterials are created, used, or characterized, but also to apply this knowledge to the multidimensional industries, fields, and applications of nanomaterials and nanoscience by including topics such as both natural and manmade nanomaterials; the size, shape, reactivity, and other essential characteristics of nanomaterials; challenges and potential effects of using nanomaterials; and the advantages of nanomaterials with multidisciplinary uses"--

Research on biomedical applications of nanomaterials has exhibited the rapidly evolving field of biomedical sciences by showing how effective they are in treatment. These particles hold considerable potential for biomedical applications. Work is ongoing, and the results suggest a possibility for a sustainable future for nanomaterials in both therapeutic and biomedical fields. This book highlights current and emerging applications, taking global research findings into consideration. We believe the focus on the identification and role of nanomaterial applications in therapeutic and biomedical sciences can lead to novel solutions in the fields. The chapters of this book are disseminated in a manner that can be readily adopted as sources for new and further study. The editors integrate advanced texts in their research that help graduate students, researchers and professors. Additionally, we believe that international readers will be able to make use of this book for reference purposes.