Nanomaterial Research Strategy

Research during the last two decades in science and engineering has resulted in the fabrication of atomically precise structures. Nanotechnology is generally defined as the ability to create and use materials, devices and systems with unique properties at the scale of approximately 1 to 100 nm. At this particle size, quantum mechanical effects often dominate and surface area per unit volume increases, resulting in materials that exhibit unique optical, mechanical, magnetic, conductive and sorptive properties. The use of nanotechnology in the consumer and industrial sectors is expected to increase significantly in the future. Nanotechnology offers society the promise of major benefits, but also raises questions of potential adverse effects. This new book discusses issues related to a research strategy.