1st Edition
Science at the Nanoscale An Introductory Textbook
Nanotechnology is one of the most important growth areas of this century. Nanoscience, the science underpinning nanotechnology, is a multidisciplinary subject covering atomic, molecular and solid state physics, and much of chemistry. Nanostructures are known to exhibit novel and improved material properties, fundamentally because the physical and chemical properties are very different when dimensions are reduced to the nanometer range.
Suitable for undergraduate students or advanced high school students, this book introduces the basic principles and knowledge needed for students to understand science at the nanoscale. Many ideas proposed in nanotechnology are frontier and futuristic, although some have immediate technological applications. The core scientific principles of all nanotechnology applications, however, are grounded in physics and chemistry. This practical, student-friendly introduction helps students recognize the connections among these various disciplines and how they play a part in nanoscience and technology.
Acknowledgements
Preface
About the Authors
Introduction and Historical Perspective
The Development of Nanoscale Science
The Nanoscale
Examples of Interesting Nanoscience Applications
Classical Physics at the Nanoscale
Mechanical Frequency
Viscosity
Brownian Motion of Nanoscale Objects
Motion at the Nanoscale
Brief Review of QuantumMechanics
Basic Quantum Physics and Quantum Confinement
Basic Postulates of Quantum Mechanics
Hydrogen-Like Atoms: Orbitals and Atomic Structures
Spin
From Atoms andMolecules to NanoscaleMaterials
Atoms and the Periodic Table of Elements
Molecules and Molecular Interactions
From Atoms to Solid Materials
From Molecules to Supramolecules
Surfaces at the Nanoscale
Surface Energy
Surface Reactivity and Catalysis
Surface Stabilisation
Low-Dimensional Nanostructures
From 3D to 0D Nanostructures
Electron Transport Properties in Low Dimensional Systems
Quantum Dots, QuantumWires
Formation and Self-Assembly at the Nanoscale
Some Basic Thermodynamic Definitions
The Bottom-Up Approach
The Self-Assembly Processes
Nanotools and Nanofabrication
Optical Microscopy
Electron Microscopy
Scanning Probe Microscopy
Optical Tweezers
Future Trends
Nanotechnology and the Developing World
Beyond Moore’s Law
Spintronics and Surface Chemistry
Carbon Electronics
Index
Biography
Andrew T. S. Wee, Chorng Haur Sow, Chin Wee Shong
"This book provides a very detailed and interesting overview of the fundamental principles of nanoscience, discusses the background of several nanoscience experimental techniques, and sheds light on some of the visionary and important applications in the truly interdisciplinary area of nanotechnology. The book will be a useful reference for graduate students and is expected to attract the attention of not only new graduate students but also senior scientists interested in the fascinating area of nanoscience and nanotechnology and those who are involved in a wide spectrum of disciplines ranging from physics, chemistry, surface science, spectroscopy, materials science and engineering to medicine."
—Prof. Wael Mamdouh and Prof. Flemming Besenbacher, University of Aarhus, Denmark