Despite some 20 years of research history, nanotechnology is still widely regarded as being at an embryonic stage of development. In a period of accelerating technological innovation, interdisciplinary boundaries between materials science and biology, physics, and chemistry will provide fertile ground for establishing a new knowledge base for emerging nanotechnologies.

While providing tremendous opportunities for scientific discoveries and technological innovation, this will also demand intensified efforts to develop new theories and modelling strategies for complex materials and systems. A large proportion of nanotechnology research output is focused on synthesis and characterization of materials. Considerable attention is paid to potential and primitive devices as well, chiefly for biomedical applications and nanoelectromechanical systems. The publication of this book is timely and provides guidance on the state of the art to the growing numbers of nanotechnology researchers, helping to shape the contours of both experimental research and theoretical research.

TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE

• Nanostructured thin films
• Photonic band-gap structures
• Quantum dots
• Carbon nanotubes
• Atomistic techniques
• Nanomechanics
• Nanofluids
• Quantum information processing

This 'state-of-the-art' reference source for expert researchers will also be useful to help teach anyone new to the field.

Akhlesh Lakhtakia is a Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at the Pennsylvania State University.