This text offers a comprehensive study in nanostructured materials, formed by a diversity of synthesis techniques, and with broad applications. Interest in nanostructures has been building up quite a momentum in the various contributing fields. This report reviews the status of research and development in nanoparticles, nanostructured materials, and nanodevices worldwide, with particular focus on comparisons between the United States and other leading industrialized countries. Topics covered include particle synthesis and assembly, dispersions and coatings of nanoparticles, high surface area materials, functional nanoscale devices, bulk behaviour of nanostructured materials, and biological methods and application. The final chapter examines related government funding programmes around the world. Site reports of visits conducted by the WTEC panel to leading laboratories in Japan and Europe are also given. This volume should be of use to researchers from a wide range of disciplines whose work involves materials science, condensed matter physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and computer and information sciences. It is also suitable as a text for a graduate course in materials science or solid state physics.