Product Description

This title demystifies the topic for investors, business executives, and anyone interested in how molecule-sized machines and processes can transform our lives. Along with dispelling common myths, it covers nanotechnology's origins, how it will affect various industries, and the limitations it can overcome. This handy book also presents numerous applications such as scratch-proof glass, corrosion resistant paints, stain-free clothing, glare-reducing eyeglass coatings, drug delivery systems, medical diagnostic tools, burn and wound dressings, sugar-cube-sized computers, mini-portable power generators, even longer-lasting tennis balls, and more.

• Nanotechnology is the science of matter at the scale of one-billionth of a meter or 1/75,000th the size of a human hair
• Written in the accessible, humorous For Dummies style, this book demystifies nanotechnology for investors, business people, and anyone else interested in how molecule-sized machines and processes will soon transform our lives
• Investment in nanotechnology is exploding, with $3.7 billion in nanotechnology R&D spending authorized by the U.S. government in 2003 and international investment reported at over $2 billion

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #240661 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780764583681
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Author
I’m one of the authors for the book and a graduate student at Rice University in Houston, Texas - one of the academic leaders in nanotechnology. Personally, my unique background allows me to speak to a wide audience: my engineering degree has given me insight into transitioning research into practical applications; my Air Force experience has allowed me to understand the needs of our government and military (huge financial backers of university research). Now, while working in the trenches of nanotechnology, I’ve come across a disconnect between this research and the average person. How do we communicate this technology’s importance and potential applications to the business leader, venture capitalist, investor, or entrepreneur to make it widely available in every day uses?

This book does just that by identifying needs and separating science fiction from science fact – dispelling the myths and laying out realistic expectations not only in applications but timeframe as well. We identify three industries: materials, computers, and healthcare. These areas will be greatly affected by nanotechnology and advances in each will continue to feed each other. For example, future nano-scale processor fabrication methods will be used to create unique materials for healthcare applications.

Another "vision" of the authors was to "show" nanotechnology – there are over 100 line art and photos illustrating the science and applications of nanotechnology distinguishing this book from other nano books. This makes it far easier for the average high school student or even baby boomer to pick up and quickly understand this emerging technology and provide them the tools to choose either a career in the sciences or invest in a nano-company stock.

I encourage those interested in this technology, whether it is for shear interest or for business ideas, to closely read this book.

From the Back Cover
See how this "little" technology can generate BIG profits!

Will nanotechnology change the future? How will it change your life? Find out here!

Nanotechnology is a huge, complex field of study about matter 1/75,000th the size of a human hair. Here's a plain-English look at what it can mean to you and your business. See how discovering more about nano-size particles will let scientists build better materials, enhance medical care, aid the environment, and much more.

Discover how to

• Understand nanotechnology terms
• Identify applications for the technology
• See how nanotechnology affects computer science
• Recognize potential benefits to the environment
• Decide if you should invest in nanotechnology

About the Author
Richard Booker is a doctoral student at Rice University working under Dr. Richard Smalley, discoverer of the buckyball. He was lucky enough to get an outstanding education, starting with four intense years at Boston University earning a computer-engineering degree. After college, he joined the Air Force, where he managed weapon systems and researched battlespace networks while simultaneously working on his master’s degree in computer engineering.
After four years, Captain Booker left the wild blue yonder to pursue his Ph.D. in applied physics at Rice and delve into the “new” world of nanotechnology. Rich’s next ambitious adventure will be developing the armchair quantum wire (see Chapters 4 and 5 of this book) and helping to bring other nanoapplications to market. His interests include flying, skydiving, scuba diving, music, art, movies and, in his spare time, working on being humble.

Earl Boysen is an engineer who, after 20 years in the computer-chip industry, decided to “slow down” and move to a quiet town in Washington. Earl is the co-author of Electronics For Dummies, and holds degrees in chemistry and physics. He lives in a house he designed and built himself, and keeps as busy as ever writing, acting, teaching math and science, dancing, and walking.

Customer Reviews

Great things in *very* small packages...
It's *amazing* what you can find in the "For Dummies" series... :)

I've always enjoyed the Dummies series, especially when it comes to a complex subject where "I don't know what I don't know". A book that can explain the subject in simple terms gives me the mental framework on which to build my learning. This book is a perfect example... Nanotechnology For Dummies by Richard Booker and Earl Boysen.

Contents:
Part 1 - Getting Small with Nanotechnology: The Hitchhiker's Guide to Nanotechnology; Nano in Your Life; Gathering the Tools of the Trade
Part 2 - Building a Better World with Nanomaterials: Nanomaterials Galore; Adding Strength with Composites
Part 3 - "Smarter" Computers! Faster Internet! Cheaper Energy!: Building a Better Digital Brain; Routing Information at the Speed of Light; Nano-fying Electronics; Getting Energy and a Cleaner Environment with Nanotech
Part 4 - Living Healthier Lives: Diagnosing Personal Health Quickly, Easily, and Pain-Free; The Fantastic Voyage into Medical Applications
Part 5 - Investing in Nanotech: Industries Going Small; Countries Investing In a Nano Future; Nanotechnology Goes to School
Part 6 - The Parts of Tens: Ten (or so) Nanotech Movers and Shakers; Further Reading on the Web and in Your Library
Glossary; Index

My prior knowledge of nanotech was pretty much restricted to the sci-fi realm, where machines build themselves and nanotech runs amok. But if asked how it all works, I'd be at a complete loss. In this Dummies title, Booker and Boysen do an excellent job in making the very, very tiny... very understandable. You won't be ready to launch your own nanotech firm or get a degree in nano-medicine, but you'll at least walk away with a better understanding of the subject. While the authors do tend to be wonderfully enthusiastic about the nanotech future, I think that their optimism is somewhat warranted. They show you the edge of the future that we are about to enter, and even after dismissing the hype, there's some intriguing stuff out there.

I think I was most fascinated about where the medical field is going with nanotech. Customized delivery systems for medicines that can put the dosage right where it's needed. Nanocells that can attach themselves to cancer cells and then respond to laser stimulation and fry away the cancer. Obviously not next week's cure, but the authors show you it's closer than you might think.

If this subject is something you've thought interesting but still don't understand very well, it's well worth getting a copy of Nanotechnology For Dummies. It's an enjoyable read, and you'll come away with many "small" pieces of insight (sorry, bad nano-joke there...)

A New Science Explained As Simply as Possible
Sometimes I have to chuckle at the titles contained in the For Dummies series. Nanotechnology is not something that I would normally think of as being of interest to Dummies. I guess I'd best not give examples of subjects I'd think of as being suitable For Dummies.

However, that misses the point. The For Dummies series has pioneered a writing style that enables the non-informed reader to get a much better understanding of complex subjects.

Nanotechnology is a science that is only about twenty years old. I say 'about' twenty years because it really depends on just what you consider to be the start of the science.

Nanotechnology deals with things that are nano in size, say around 1/5000 the size of a red blood cell, about 1/75,000 the diameter of a human hair. At that size, all kinds of strange and wonderful things begin to happen. The technology promises to offer significant improvements in all kinds of areas from energy, health, to computers.

I can't really talk about the subject in this short review, it's too big, that's why it takes a whole book to cover.

Conclusion: Written in the For Dummies style, this is a book on Nanotechnology that makes it understandable to the average person. I'd consider it mandatory reading for anyone thinking of going into chemistry or physics for a career. My prediction (and the authors) is that this is going to be the hot science subject of the next generation. If I knew a high school student interested in science....

Nanomaterials, Nanointermediates, Nano-enabled products
Nanomaterials: nanoparticles, nanotubes, quantum dots, fullerense, dendrimers, nanoprorous materials.

Nanointermediates: coatins, fabrices, memory and logic chips, optical components

Nano-enabling products: finished goods for cars, clothing, airplaines, computers, video, pharmaceuticals, appliances.

I found the Lux Research Index reference interesting (LUXI). I read about companies building products like: Zyvex , Mems and Nanotechnology , Nanosys, Altair, NVE (spin state storage MRAM) , FEI (visualization systems), Veeco (data storage and semiconductor), and Accelrys.

Hurdles: 1. Cost. The smaller the product being worked on, the more sophisticated and expensive the equipment needed to monitor quality control. 2. Availability. The equipment needed to producing nanomaterials may not be readily available or could be expensive. 3. Regulatory barriers. Evaluations and government approvals are needed to bring products such as a new drug to market, this takes time and time to market means sunk costs.

Growth: "Nanotechnology is likely to become a trillion-dollar industry in less than ten years." If this is true the Nanotech indexes reflect the exponential growth explosion. The time required for manufacturing process transform suggests companies are making purchases now and generating capital nanotechnology projects. For example, Toyota should be in the process of covering major sections of their car production lines to use nanomaterials. It may be true that no process modification is required and that raw materials can be substituted for nanomaterials. This is the best scenerio. If nanotechnology is too emerge it could start with a series of new companies that will create radical and disruptive technology.

Nanotubes: Researchers found that by adding a few percentage points of vaporized nichkel nanoparticels to the vaporized carbon, they could make as nanotubes as buckyballs. There are three methods for producing nanotubes: 1. High-pressure carbon monoxide deposition, HiPCO. This method involves a heated chamber which carbon monoxide molecules gas and small clusters of iron atoms flow. When the carbon monoxide molecules lands on the iron clusters and the iron acts as a catalyst breaking the molecule into carbon and oxygen. The result is a carbon nanotube and Carbon dioxide. The second method is called chemical-vapor deposition, CVD. In this method a hydrocarbon, such as, methane flows into a heated chamber coated with an iron catalyst. The high temperature causes the carbon and hydrogen break apart. The carbon atoms attach to the catalyst particles forming a nanotube. The third methods uses plasma torch to break apart hydrocarbon producing nanotubes.

Nanotube have three topology arrangements: armchair, zigzag, and Chiral. Nanotubes are elastic and strong. Nanotubes conduct heat and cold very well. A nanotube can be either metallic or semiconducting. A nanotube is metallic I the energy level that allows delocalized electrons t flow between atoms throughout the nanotube is right above the energy level used by electrons attached. A nanotube is semiconducting if the energy level of the conduction band is high enough sou that there is an energy gap between it and the valence band. Nanotubes will provide more efficient energy transmission and faster and more power computers. Nanotube tensile strength (GPa)=200, Young's modulus(GPa)=1000, and density=2.

Nanowire: Researchers have demonstrated using nanowires to create memory devices and transistors. A nanowire crosslatched arrangement will be able to store 40 gigabits per square centimeter.

Polymer composites: "Scientist at University of Urbana-Champaign have demonstrated a unique self-healing composite. It involves dispersing microcapsules and catalyst within the composite. When the catalyst comes in contact with the healing agent inside the microcapsule, the healing agent polymerizes and hardens." Heals microcracks resulting from temperature changes or pressures of mechnical loading.

NanoTransistor: A transistor is the switch that says whether a bit is 0 or 1. Think of a water dam. In the off position no water is flowing through and on the water is flowing, electrons are flowing freely. The smaller the transistor, the smaller your electron gate-which means faster switching between on and off, resulting in a faster overall processor.

Photoelectrochemical hydrogen extraction: A photoelectrochemical device is a 30 nm layer of nanoparticles placed on a conductive glass. The nanoparticles are composed of semi-conducting oxides. The conducting glass is connected to an electrode. The space between electrode and nanoparticle film and conductive glass is filled with water. Light strikes the layer of nanoparticles knocking the electron's loose. Those electrons move through the conducting glass layer to the metal electrode putting a negative charge in it. You have a layer of nanoparticles that electrons are rushing out and a nearby metal electrode that electrons are rushing in. Hydrogen is emitted. (Hydrogen Solar Ltd)

Nanotech Movers and Shakers: Richard Smalley , Charles Lieber , Jongjie Dai , James Heath , James Von Her , George Whitesides , Paul Alivisatos , Angela Belcher , and Richard Feyman and Eric Drexler .