As long as humans have existed on the planet, they have looked at the world around them and wondered about much of what they saw. This book covers 21 different phenomena that have been observed in nature and puzzled about for decades.Only recently, with the development of the microscopes and other tools that allow us to study, evaluate, and test these observed phenomena at the molecular and atomic scale, have researchers been able to understand the science behind these observations. From the strength of a marine sponge found at the depths of the oceans, to the insect-hydroplaning surface of the edge of a plant, to the intricacies of the eyes of a moth, nanotechnology has allowed science to define and understand these amazing capabilities. In many cases, this new understanding has been applied to products and applications that benefit humans and the environment. For each of the five ecosystems— the ocean, insects, flora, fauna, and humans—the observations, study and understanding, and applications will be covered. The relationship between the more easily observed macro level and understanding what is found at the nanoscale will also be discussed.

Discussions of the basic structural, nanotechnology, and system engineering principles, as well as an introductory overview of essential concepts and methods in biotechnology, will be included. Text is presented side-by-side with extensive use of high-quality illustrations prepared using cutting edge computer graphics techniques. Includes numerous examples, such applications in genetic engineering. Represents the only available introduction and overview of this interdisciplinary field, merging the physical and biological sciences. Concludes with the authors' expert assessment of the future promise of nanotechnology, from molecular "tinkertoys" to nanomedicine. David Goodsell is author of two trade books, Machinery of Life and Our Molecular Nature, and Arthur Olson is the world's leader in molecular graphics and nano-scale representation.

Natural nanomaterials and nanotechnologies are all around us, which inevitably leads to these questions: What are these natural nanomaterials made of? Where can we find them? What can they do? Answering these questions will facilitate new and environmentally friendly ways of creating and manipulating nanoscale materials for the next generation of new technologies. A truly multidisciplinary resource, this book brings together studies from astronomy, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, geology and geophysics, environmental science, agricultural science, entomology, molecular biology, and health and provides an invaluable resource for learning how various scientists approach similar problems.

This volume focuses on the fundamentals and advancements in micro and nanomanufacturing technologies applied in the biomedical and biochemical domain. The contents of this volume provide comprehensive coverage of the physical principles of advanced manufacturing technologies and the know-how of their applications in the fabrication of biomedical devices and systems. The book begins by documenting the journey of miniaturization and micro-and nano-fabrication. It then delves into the fundamentals of various advanced technologies such as micro-wire moulding, 3D printing, lithography, imprinting, direct laser machining, and laser-induced plasma-assisted machining. It also covers laser-based technologies which are a promising option due to their flexibility, ease in control and application, high precision, and availability. These technologies can be employed to process several materials such as glass, polymers: polycarbonate, polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylmethacrylate, and metals such as stainless steel, which are commonly used in the fabrication of biomedical devices, such as microfluidic technology, optical and fiber-optic sensors, and electro-chemical bio-sensors. It also discusses advancements in various MEMS/NEMS based technologies and their applications in energy conversion and storage devices. The chapters are written by experts from the fields of micro- and nano-manufacturing, materials engineering, nano-biotechnology, and end-users such as clinicians, engineers, academicians of interdisciplinary background. This book will be a useful guide for academia and industry alike.

Written by the founder of the field, this is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to structural DNA nanotechnology.

This self-confessed introduction provides technical administrators and managers with a broad, practical overview of the subject and gives researchers working in different areas an appreciation of developments in nanotechnology outside their own fields of expertise.

Enthusiasts look forward to a time when tiny machines reassemble matter and process information but is their vision realistic? 'Soft Machines' explains why the nanoworld is so different to the macro-world that we are all familar with and shows how it has more in common with biology than conventional engineering.

This is an introduction to the nanoscale for science, computer science, and engineering disciplines. That said, there does not exist an educational discipline, market segment, or career avenue which will not be impacted by nanotechnology. Nanoscience and nanotechnology, the application of the research-based nanoscale science, have changed significantly over the last three and a half decades. The “bucky” ball, 60 carbon atoms arranged like a soccer ball, and an often-used symbol of nanotechnology, was discovered in 1985 and 4 years later scientists at IBM were able to manipulate xenon atoms on a surface. In the intervening years, nanotechnology has evolved from a singly focused research topic to an understanding that infiltrates every aspect of science and engineering disciplines. In addition, nanotechnology, and both naturally occurring and engineered nanomaterials, have become the focus of legal, environmental, and application and regulation disciplines. The first portion of this text serves as an introduction to nanotechnology: the history, mathematical concepts, and instruments required to study and manipulate the world at the atomic scale. The later portion of the text discusses the connectivity of nanotechnology to the more traditional scientific disciplines as well as emerging technologies. There does not exist an educational discipline, market segment, or career avenue which will not be impacted by nanotechnology.

"Nanoweapons describes the deadliest generation of military weaponry the world has ever seen and offers concrete recommendations for controlling their future use, thus avoiding global war and the end of humanity."--Provided by publisher.

The nanotech revolution waits for no man, woman...or child. To revitalize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) performance, the U.S. educational system requires a practical strategy to better educate students about nanoscale science and engineering research. This is particularly important in grades K–12, the effective gestation point for future ideas and information. Optimize your use of free resources from the National Science Foundation The first book of its kind, Nanoscience Education, Workforce Training, and K–12 Resources promotes nano-awareness in both the public and private sectors, presenting an overview of the current obstacles that must be overcome within the complex U.S. educational system before any reform is possible. It’s a race against time—and other countries—and the fear is that U.S. students could lag behind for decades, with ineffective teaching and learning methods handicapping their ability to compete globally. Focusing on the application of new knowledge, this concise and highly readable book explores the transdisciplinary nature of nanoscience and its societal impact, also addressing workforce training and risk management. Illustrating the historical perspective of the complexity of K–12 education communities, it defines nanotechnology and evaluates pertinent global and national landscapes, presenting examples of successful change within them. This book is composed of four sections: Foundations—addresses the national educational matrix, exploring the scientific and social implications associated with the delay in adopting nanoscience education in public schools Teaching Nanotechnology—discusses the critical process of teaching K–12 students the skills to understand and evaluate emerging technologies they will encounter Nanoscience Resources and Programs—provides a wide overview of the resources offered by funded outreach programs from universities with nanoscience centers Framework Applied—analyzes the structure of national government programs and skill level recommendations for nanoeducation from the National Nanotechnology Initiatives This book offers plans of action and links to sustainable (largely free) development tools to help K–12 students acquire the skills to understand and evaluate emerging technologies. Promoting a holistic teaching approach that encompasses all aspects of science, the authors strive to help readers implement change so that decisions about resources and learning are no longer made "from the top down" by policymakers, but rather "from the bottom up" by teachers, parents, and students at the local level. Akhlesh Lakhtakia, one of the contributors to this volume, was recently featured on CNN in a discussion on solar energy.