Dekker Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Nanoscience encompasses all scientific phenomena that transpire in dimensions spanning the range of multiple atom clusters, molecular aggregates, upermolecular structures, polymers and biomolecules. In other words, nanoscience is the science of the nanoscale—or the very, very minute. Nanotechnology, the technological use of these properties and phenomena, has the potential to revolutionize a breathtaking range of fields, across practically all domains of human activity. The intense interest in using nanostructures stems from the promise that they boast superior electrical, optical, mechanical, chemical, or biochemical properties. There is little doubt that the use of these new materials and systems will lay the ground for the new technological revolution of 21st century. Research in nanoscience is exploding as scientists from chemistry, physics, and biology, including colloid and polymer chemistry, materials and surface science, and biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology have begun to examine the superior properties that characterize materials and phenomena at the nanoscale. The Dekker Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is a vehicle by which scientists and the interested public can explore the most recent developments in today’s nanomaterials, and preview several of their foreseen applications of tomorrow. The subject areas of this five volume collective work include, but are not limited to, chemistry, physics, molecular and quantum biology, materials science and engineering and computer science. The topics include fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, quantum dots and inorganic nanowires, interfacial chemistry, nanostructures, analytical and characterization methods, design and fabrication techniques of nanocomposites, properties of functional nanomaterials, nanostructured catalysts, molecular electronics, optical devices, bionanotechnology, colloidal phenomena—even future and environmental considerations about nanotechnology. In short, the reference strives to encompass, document, and organize the enormous proliferation of information that has emerged from the revolution at the nanoscale.