Product Description

This book is the technical and business overview of tomorrow's scientific breakthrough. The authors survey the scientific research and business aspects of the field, try to explain the key concepts, provide a look at current developments, and give some thoughts on where nanotechnology is likely to go in the next few years. The book will be approachable and witty, with lots of illustrations and examples. The focus of the book is on science and technology, but business is discussed as well. The growing interest in nanotechnology by the investment community and the federal dollars going into nanotechnology are explained. Ratner and Ratner go on to explain why the National Science Foundation has estimated that it could be a $1 trillion market by 2015. Nanotechnology, or, as it is sometimes called, molecular manufacturing, is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter. Nanotechnology holds promise in the quest for ever-more-powerful computers and communications devices. But the most fascinating applications are in medical science. Nanorobots might serve as programmable antibodies. As disease-causing bacteria and viruses mutate in their endless attempts to get around medical treatments, nanorobots could be reprogrammed to selectively seek out and destroy them. Other nanorobots might be programmed to single out and kill cancer cells.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67221 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

From the Back Cover

Nanotech for everyone! The friendly, non-technical guide to the next industrial revolution.

• Discover the world's next $1 trillion industry!
• The easy-to-understand guide to nanoscale technology, science, business, and ethics
• Today's hottest nanotech research and tomorrow's hottest applications
• Nanobots, quantum and DNA computing, nanosensors, neuro-electronic interfaces, and much more
• Insider's assessment of the nanotechnology marketplace and investment opportunities

By 2015, nanotechnology could be a $1 trillion industry. Now, renowned nanotech pioneer Mark Ratner and technology entrepreneur Daniel Ratner show you how nanotech works, why it's so exciting, what's new, and what's next. They survey the entire field—technology and business—covering nanobots, molecular electronics, quantum computing, biostructures, nanotubes, molecular motors, nanosensors, and many other breakthrough applications. They provide easy-to-understand explanations of every key concept, plus dozens of visuals that bring nanotechnology to life. Coverage includes:

• A simple, brief, almost math-free introduction to nanotech science
• "Grand tour" of nanotech R&D, from "smart materials" to DNA computing
• Breakthrough biomedical applications, including neuro-electronic interfaces and new drug delivery systems
• Current and emerging nanotech systems for optoelectronics and communications
• Nanotech here and now: nano-enhanced tennis balls, suntan lotions, and other products already in the market
• A realistic assessment of nanotech investment opportunities for the short- and long-term
• Ethical issues associated with nanotech research and product development

About the Author

MARK RATNER, winner of the 2001 Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology, is Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor in Chemistry at Northwestern University. He is widely credited as the "father of molecular-scale electronics"—thanks to his groundbreaking work with Ari Aviram that first envisioned how electronic circuit elements might be constructed from single molecules and how these circuits might behave. Ratner is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. He lectures worldwide on nanotechnology and its implications.

DANIEL RATNER, an engineer and tech entreprenteur, has founded two successful technology startup companies, serves as industry advisor to several other high-tech ventures, and was recently awarded the prestigious "30 Under 30" entrepreneurs' award by Philly Tech magazine.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

This book has a straightforward aim—to acquaint you with the wholeidea of nanoscience and nanotechnology. This comprises the fabricationand understanding of matter at the ultimate scale at whichnature designs: the molecular scale. Nanoscience occurs at the intersectionof traditional science and engineering, quantum mechanics,and the most basic processes of life itself. Nanotechnology encompasseshow we harness our knowledge of nanoscience to create materials,machines, and devices that will fundamentally change the waywe live and work.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology are two of the hottest fields inscience, business, and the news today. This book is intended to helpyou understand both of them. It should require the investment ofabout six hours—a slow Sunday afternoon or an airplane trip fromBoston to Los Angeles. Along the way, we hope that you will enjoythis introductory tour of nanoscience and nanotechnology and whatthey might mean for our economy and for our lives.

The first two chapters are devoted to the big idea of nanoscienceand nanotechnology, to definitions, and to promises. Chapters 3 and4 discuss the science necessary to understand nanotechnology; youcan skip these if you remember some of your high school science andmathematics. Chapter 5 is a quick grand tour of some of the thematicareas of nanotechnology, via visits to laboratories. Chapters 6 to 9are the heart of the book. They deal with the topical areas in whichnanoscience and nanotechnology are concentrated: smart materials, sensors, biological structures, electronics, and optics. Chapters 10 and11 discuss business applications and the relationship of nanotechnologyto individuals in the society. The book ends with lists of sourcesof additional information about nanotechnology, venture capitalistswho have expressed interest in nanotechnology, and a glossary of keynanotechnology terms. If you want to discuss nanotechnology or findlinks to more resources, you can also visit the bookUs Web site atnanotechbook.

We enjoyed the writing and hope you enjoy the read.

Customer Reviews

A fabulous read!
I am a general user of computer systems, and not schooled in nanoscience at all. What a relief to see that there's a book out there that can explain this emerging field to me! Not only is the book easy to read, it's fascinating, with a review of in-depth nan inventions, business aspects, and a general review of chemistry which is great because I had forgotten how it all fits together.

I would recommend this book to the average user that wants to know about this science-it is really easy to read and it makes the entire science clear-I was not aware of the science before this except for general rumors of nanobots. It is a refreshing look at a science that has, until now, been under-reported.

Heavy on Hype, Light on Information
I really wanted to like it, I didn't much care for the Ratner's Introduction to Nano. The two dish out a lot of hype (Imagine that... imagine that... Nanotechnology may do all of these things!) and not as much information as one would expect, even from a book mean to ease you into a topic.

I found the writing totally average. Misconceived jokes and mechanical prose made reading the book most unpleasurable, and chapters are so divided that the book has very little continuity.

Look somewhere else for a book on nano.

Nanotechnology, A gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea
This book is a great overview for the non-scientist. I found it to be an easy and quick read overall. This was the first book that I read on Nanotechnology and I understood about 80% of what was being said, after reading 3 more books on the topic and coming back to this one - I understood about 95% of what was being said. I have given this book to several friends that are interested in learning more about nanotechnology and they all find it to be and helpful.