Nanotechnology is a 'catch-all' description of activities at the level of atoms and molecules that have applications in the real world. A nanometre is a billionth of a meter, about 1/80,000 of the diameter of a human hair, or 10 times the diameter of a hydrogen atom. Nanotechnology is now used in precision engineering, new materials development as well as in electronics; electromechanical systems as well as mainstream biomedical applications in areas such as gene therapy, drug delivery and novel drug discovery techniques. This book presents the latest research in this frontier field.

The first volume in an exciting new series, Annual Review of Nano Research, this formidable collection of review articles sees renowned contributors from eight different countries tackle the most recent advances in nanofabrication, nanomaterials and nanostructures.The broad coverage of topics in nanotechnology and nanoscience also includes a special focus on the hot topic of biomedical applications of nanomaterials. The important names contributing to the volume include: M R Bockstaller (USA), L Duclaux (France), S Forster (Germany), W Fritzsche (Germany), L Jiang (China), C Lopez (Spain), W J Parak (Germany), B Samori (Italy), U S Schubert (The Netherlands), S Shinkai (Japan), A Stein (USA), S M Hou (China), and Y N Xia (USA).The volume serves both as a handy reference for experts active in the field and as an excellent introduction to scientists whose expertise lies elsewhere but who are interested in learning about this cutting-edge research area.

Intelligent Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications discusses intelligent nanomaterials with a particular focus on commercial and premarket tools. The book looks at the applications of intelligent nanomaterials within the field of medicine and discusses their future role. This includes the use of intelligent nanomaterials for drugs used in cardiovascular and cancer treatments and examines the promising market of nanoparticles for biomedical and biosensing applications. This resource will be of great interest to scientists and researchers involved in multiple disciplines, including micro- and nano-engineering, bionanotechnology, biomedical engineering, and nanomedicine, as well as pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. - Focuses on applications of intelligent nanomaterials within the field of medicine and discusses their role in the future - Discusses intelligent nanomaterials, with a particular focus on commercial and premarket tools - Examines the promising market of nanoparticles for biomedical and biosensing applications

Nanomaterials in Clinical Medicine: Case Studies in Nanomedicines focuses on the nanomaterials that can be formulated as drug delivery vehicles, such as liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions and nanogels. Their physicochemical, morphological, thermo-dynamical and nanotoxicological properties are analyzed with respect to the design and development of drug delivery nanosystems for the encapsulation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient and its controlled release. Each chapter covers basic properties, the nanosystem (e.g., liposomes), the added value in drug delivery and targeting, and future perspectives. Case studies and examples of how nanomaterials are being used in clinical medicine, including marketed liposomal medicines and medical utility and regimens are also included. Particular attention is given to new nanocarriers, such as elastic liposomes, lipid polymeric hybrid nanoparticles, organogel, nanofibers carbon nanomaterials, quantum dots and inorganic nanoparticles. This book is an important information source for those wanting to increase their understanding of what major nanomaterials are being used to create more effective drug delivery systems. - Summarizes the major nanomaterials used in clinical medicine, explaining how their properties make them suitable for this purpose - Explains how nanomaterials are used to create increasingly efficient drug delivery vehicles - Includes real-life examples, demonstrating how nanomaterials are being used in medical practice

An invaluable introduction to nanomaterials and their applications Offering the unique approach of applying traditional physics concepts to explain new phenomena, Introduction to Nanomaterials and Devices provides readers with a solid foundation on the subject of quantum mechanics and introduces the basic concepts of nanomaterials and the devices fabricated from them. Discussion begins with the basis for understanding the basic properties of semiconductors and gradually evolves to cover quantum structures—including single, multiple, and quantum wells—and the properties of nanomaterial systems, such as quantum wires and dots. Written by a renowned specialist in the field, this book features: An introduction to the growth of bulk semiconductors, semiconductor thin films, and semiconductor nanomaterials Information on the application of quantum mechanics to nanomaterial structures and quantum transport Extensive coverage of Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein stastistics An in-depth look at optical, electrical, and transport properties Coverage of electronic devices and optoelectronic devices Calculations of the energy levels in periodic potentials, quantum wells, and quantum dots Introduction to Nanomaterials and Devices provides essential groundwork for understanding the behavior and growth of nanomaterials and is a valuable resource for students and practitioners in a field full of possibilities for innovation and invention.

Biomedical Applications of Functionalized Nanomaterials: Concepts, Development and Clinical Translation presents a concise overview of the most promising nanomaterials functionalized with ligands for biomedical applications. The first section focuses on current strategies for identifying biological targets and screening of ligand to optimize anchoring to nanomaterials, providing the foundation for the remaining parts. Section Two covers specific applications of functionalized nanomaterials in therapy and diagnostics, highlighting current practice and addressing major challenges, in particular, case studies of successfully developed and marketed functionalized nanomaterials. The final section focuses on regulatory issues and clinical translation, providing a legal framework for their use in biomedicine. This book is an important reference source for worldwide drug and medical devices policymakers, biomaterials scientists and regulatory bodies.

The nanotechnology sector, which generated about $225 billion in product sales in 2009, is predicted to expand rapidly over the next decade with the development of new technologies that have new capabilities. The increasing production and use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may lead to greater exposures of workers, consumers, and the environment, and the unique scale-specific and novel properties of the materials raise questions about their potential effects on human health and the environment. Over the last decade, government agencies, academic institutions, industry, and others have conducted many assessments of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) aspects of nanotechnology. The results of those efforts have helped to direct research on the EHS aspects of ENMs. However, despite the progress in assessing research needs and despite the research that has been funded and conducted, developers, regulators, and consumers of nanotechnology-enabled products remain uncertain about the types and quantities of nanomaterials in commerce or in development, their possible applications, and their associated risks. A Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials presents a strategic approach for developing the science and research infrastructure needed to address uncertainties regarding the potential EHS risks of ENMs. The report summarizes the current state of the science and high-priority data gaps on the potential EHS risks posed by ENMs and describes the fundamental tools and approaches needed to pursue an EHS risk research strategy. The report also presents a proposed research agenda, short-term and long-term research priorities, and estimates of needed resources and concludes by focusing on implementation of the research strategy and evaluation of its progress, elements that the committee considered integral to its charge.