Nanoscale Science and Technology

Nanotechnology is a vital new area of research and development addressing the control, modification and fabrication of materials, structures and devices with nanometre precision and the synthesis of such structures into systems of micro- and macroscopic dimensions. Future applications of nanoscale science and technology include motors smaller than the diameter of a human hair and single-celled organisms programmed to fabricate materials with nanometer precision. Miniaturisation has revolutionised the semiconductor industry by making possible inexpensive integrated electronic circuits comprised of devices and wires with sub-micrometer dimensions. These integrated circuits are now ubiquitous, controlling everything from cars to toasters. The next level of miniaturisation, beyond sub-micrometer dimensions into nanoscale dimensions (invisible to the unaided human eye) is a booming area of research and development. This is a very hot area of research with large amounts of venture capital and government funding being invested worldwide, as such Nanoscale Science and Technology has a broad appeal based upon an interdisciplinary approach, covering aspects of physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and electronic engineering. Kelsall et al present a coherent approach to nanoscale sciences, which will be invaluable to graduate level students and researchers and practising engineers and product designers.

Nanotechnology is a vital new area of research and developmentaddressing the control, modification and fabrication of materialsstructures and devices with nanometre precision and the synthesisof such structures into systems of micro- and macroscopicdimensions. Future applications of nanoscale science and technologyinclude motors smaller than the diameter of a human hair andsingle-celled organisms programmed to fabricate materials withnanometer precision.Miniaturisation has revolutionised the semiconductor industry bymaking possible inexpensive integrated electronic circuitscomprised of devices and wires with sub-micrometer dimensions.These integrated circuits are now ubiquitous, controllingeverything from cars to toasters. The next level ofminiaturisation, beyond sub-micrometer dimensions into nanoscaledimensions (invisible to the unaided human eye) is a booming areaof research and development. This is a very hot area of researchwith large amounts of venture capital and government funding beinginvested worldwide, as such Nanoscale Science and Technology has abroad appeal based upon an interdisciplinary approach, coveringaspects of physics, chemistry, biology, materials science andelectronic engineering. Kelsall et al present a coherent approachto nanoscale sciences, which will be invaluable to graduate levelstudents and researchers and practising engineers and productdesigners.

List of contributors.Preface.Chapter authors.1 Generic methodologies for nanotechnology: classificationand fabrication.1.1 Introduction and classification.1.2 Summary of the electronic properties of atoms andsolids.1.3 Effects of the nanometre length scale.1.4 Fabrication methods.1.5 Preparation, safety and storage issues.Bibliography.2 Generic methodologies for nanotechnology:characterization.2.1 General classification of characterization methods.2.2 Microscopy techniques.2.3 Electron microscopy.2.4 Field ion microscopy.2.5 Scanning probe techniques.2.6 Diffraction techniques.2.7 Spectroscopy techniques.2.8 Surface analysis and depth profiling.2.9 Summary of techniques for property measurement.Bibliography.3 Inorganic semiconductor nanostructures.3.1 Introduction.3.2 Overview of relevant semiconductor physics.3.3 Quantum confinement in semiconductor nanostructures.3.4 The electronic density of states.3.5 Fabrication techniques.3.6 Physical processes in semiconductor nanostructures.3.7 The characterisation of semiconductor nanostructures.3.8 Applications of semiconductor nanostructures.3.9 Summary and outlook.Bibliography.4 Nanomagnetic materials and devices.4.1 Magnetism.4.2 Nanomagnetic materials.4.3 Magnetoresistance.4.4 Probing nanomagnetic materials.4.5 Nanomagnetism in technology.4.6 The challenges facing nanomagnetism.Bibliography.5 Processing and properties of inorganicnanomaterials.5.1 Introduction.5.2 The thermodynamics and kinetics of phasetransformations.5.3 Synthesis methods.5.4 Structure.5.5 Microstructural stability.5.6 Powder consolidation.5.7 Mechanical properties.5.8 Ferromagnetic properties.5.9 Catalytic properties.5.10 Present and potential applications for nanomaterials.Bibliography.6 Electronic and electro-optic molecular materials anddevices.6.1 Concepts and materials.6.2 Applications and devices.6.3 Carbon nanotubes.Appendix: Reference table of organic semiconductors.Bibliography.7 Self-assembling nanostructured molecular materials anddevices.7.1 Introduction.7.2 Building blocks.7.3 Principles of self-assembly.7.4 Self-assembly methods to prepare and patternnanoparticles.7.5 Templated nanostructures.7.6 Liquid crystal mesophases.7.7 Summary and outlook.Bibliography.8 Macromolecules at interfaces and structured organicfilms.8.1 Macromolecules at interfaces.8.2 The principles of interface science.8.3 The analysis of wet interfaces.8.4 Modifying interfaces.8.5 Making thin organic films.8.6 Surface effects on phase separation.8.7 Nanopatterning surfaces by self-assembly.8.8 Practical nanoscale devices exploiting macromolecules atinterfaces.Bibliography.9 Bionanotechnology.9.1 New tools for investigating biological systems.9.2 Biomimetic nanotechnology.9.3 Conclusions.Bibliography.Index.