Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea / Edition 1

by Mark Ratner, Daniel Ratner

Overview

This book is the technical and business overview of tomorrow's scientific breakthrough. The authors survey the scientific research and business aspects of the field, try to explain the key concepts, provide a look at current developments, and give some thoughts on where nanotechnology is likely to go in the next few years. The book will be approachable and witty, with lots of illustrations and examples. The focus of the book is on science and technology, but business is discussed as well. The growing interest in nanotechnology by the investment community and the federal dollars going into nanotechnology are explained. Ratner and Ratner go on to explain why the National Science Foundation has estimated that it could be a $1 trillion market by 2015. Nanotechnology, or, as it is sometimes called, molecular manufacturing, is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter. Nanotechnology holds promise in the quest for ever-more-powerful computers and communications devices. But the most fascinating applications are in medical science. Nanorobots might serve as programmable antibodies. As disease-causing bacteria and viruses mutate in their endless attempts to get around medical treatments, nanorobots could be reprogrammed to selectively seek out and destroy them. Other nanorobots might be programmed to single out and kill cancer cells.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780131014008
Publisher:	Pearson Education
Publication date:	11/08/2002
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

MARK RATNER, winner of the 2001 Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology, is Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor in Chemistry at Northwestern University. He is widely credited as the "father of molecular-scale electronics"—thanks to his groundbreaking work with Ari Aviram that first envisioned how electronic circuit elements might be constructed from single molecules and how these circuits might behave. Ratner is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. He lectures worldwide on nanotechnology and its implications.

DANIEL RATNER, an engineer and tech entreprenteur, has founded two successful technology startup companies, serves as industry advisor to several other high-tech ventures, and was recently awarded the prestigious "30 Under 30" entrepreneurs' award by Philly Tech magazine.

Table of Contents

• Preface.
• 1. Introducing Nano.
• 2. Size Matters.
• 3. Interlude One-The Fundamental Science Behind Nanotechnology.
• 4. Interlude Two: Tools of the Nanosciences.
• 5. Points and Places of Interest: The Grand Tour.
• 6. Smart Materials.
• 7. Sensors.
• 8. Biomedical Applications.
• 9. Optics and Electronics.
• 10. Nanobusiness.
• 11. Nanotechnology and You.
• Resources.
• Glossary.
• Index.
• About the Authors.
  

Preface

This book has a straightforward aim—to acquaint you with the wholeidea of nanoscience and nanotechnology. This comprises the fabricationand understanding of matter at the ultimate scale at whichnature designs: the molecular scale. Nanoscience occurs at the intersectionof traditional science and engineering, quantum mechanics,and the most basic processes of life itself. Nanotechnology encompasseshow we harness our knowledge of nanoscience to create materials,machines, and devices that will fundamentally change the waywe live and work.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology are two of the hottest fields inscience, business, and the news today. This book is intended to helpyou understand both of them. It should require the investment ofabout six hours—a slow Sunday afternoon or an airplane trip fromBoston to Los Angeles. Along the way, we hope that you will enjoythis introductory tour of nanoscience and nanotechnology and whatthey might mean for our economy and for our lives.

The first two chapters are devoted to the big idea of nanoscienceand nanotechnology, to definitions, and to promises. Chapters 3 and4 discuss the science necessary to understand nanotechnology; youcan skip these if you remember some of your high school science andmathematics. Chapter 5 is a quick grand tour of some of the thematicareas of nanotechnology, via visits to laboratories. Chapters 6 to 9are the heart of the book. They deal with the topical areas in whichnanoscience and nanotechnology are concentrated: smart materials, sensors, biological structures, electronics, and optics. Chapters 10 and11 discuss business applications and the relationship of nanotechnologyto individuals in the society. The book ends with lists of sourcesof additional information about nanotechnology, venture capitalistswho have expressed interest in nanotechnology, and a glossary of keynanotechnology terms. If you want to discuss nanotechnology or findlinks to more resources, you can also visit the book's Web site atwww.nanotechbook.com.

We enjoyed the writing and hope you enjoy the read.