Science at the Nanoscale An Introductory Textbook

Exploring nanoscience--the science underpinning nanotechnology--as a multidisciplinary subject covering atomic, molecular and solid state physics, as well as much of chemistry, this book aims to introduce the various basic principles and knowledge needed for students to understand science at the nanoscale. Based upon the authors' own teaching experiences at tertiary institutions, this textbook is targeted at the junior undergraduate level or as a reference text for advanced learners at pre-university and senior high school.

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.

AcknowledgementsPrefaceAbout the AuthorsIntroduction and Historical PerspectiveThe Development of Nanoscale ScienceThe NanoscaleExamples of Interesting Nanoscience ApplicationsClassical Physics at the NanoscaleMechanical FrequencyViscosityBrownian Motion of Nanoscale ObjectsMotion at the NanoscaleBrief Review of QuantumMechanicsBasic Quantum Physics and Quantum ConfinementBasic Postulates of Quantum MechanicsHydrogen-Like Atoms: Orbitals and Atomic StructuresSpinFrom Atoms andMolecules to NanoscaleMaterialsAtoms and the Periodic Table of ElementsMolecules and Molecular InteractionsFrom Atoms to Solid MaterialsFrom Molecules to SupramoleculesSurfaces at the NanoscaleSurface EnergySurface Reactivity and CatalysisSurface StabilisationLow-Dimensional NanostructuresFrom 3D to 0D NanostructuresElectron Transport Properties in Low Dimensional SystemsQuantum Dots, QuantumWiresFormation and Self-Assembly at the NanoscaleSome Basic Thermodynamic DefinitionsThe Bottom-Up ApproachThe Self-Assembly ProcessesNanotools and NanofabricationOptical MicroscopyElectron MicroscopyScanning Probe MicroscopyOptical TweezersFuture TrendsNanotechnology and the Developing WorldBeyond Moore’s LawSpintronics and Surface ChemistryCarbon ElectronicsIndex