With the recent advent of nanotechnology, research and development in the area of nanostructured materials has gained unprecedented prominence. Novel materials with potentially exciting new applications are being discovered at a much higher rate than ever before. Innovative tools to fabricate, manipulate, characterize and evaluate such materials are being developed and expanded. To keep pace with this extremely rapid growth, it is necessary to take a breath from time to time, to critically assess the current knowledge and provide thoughts for future developments. This book represents one of these moments, as a number of prominent scientists in nanostructured materials join forces to provide insightful reviews of their areas of expertise, thus offering an overall picture of the state-- the art of the field. Nanostructured materials designate an increasing number of materials with designed shapes, surfaces, structures, pore systems, etc. Nanostructured materials with modified surfaces include those whose surfaces have been altered via such techniques as grafting and tethering of organic or organometallic species, or through various deposition procedures including electro, electroless and vapor deposition, or simple adsorption. These materials find important applications in catalysis, separation and environmental remediation. Materials with patterned surfaces, which are essential for the optoelectronics industry, constitute another important class of surface-modified nanostructured materials. Other materials are considered nanostructured because of their composition and internal organization.

This book provides an introduction to this exciting and relativelynew subject with chapters covering natural and synthetic polymers,colloids, surfactants and liquid crystals highlighting the many andvaried applications of these materials. Written by an expert in thefield, this book will be an essential reference for people workingin both industry and academia and will aid in understanding of thisincreasingly popular topic. Contains a new chapter on biological soft matter Newly edited and updated chapters including updated coverageof recent aspects of polymer science. Contain problems at the end of each chapter to facilitateunderstanding

This volume explores experimental and computational approaches to measuring the most widely studied protein assemblies, including condensed liquid phases, aggregates, and crystals. The chapters in this book are organized into three parts: Part One looks at the techniques used to measure protein-protein interactions and equilibrium protein phases in dilute and concentrated protein solutions; Part Two describes methods to measure kinetics of aggregation and to characterize the assembled state; and Part Three details several different computational approaches that are currently used to help researchers understand protein self-assembly. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and cutting-edge, Protein Self-Assembly: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for researchers who are interested in learning more about this developing field.

Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications provides a comprehensive introduction to nanomaterials, from how to make them to example properties, processing techniques, and applications. Contributions by leading international researchers and teachers in academic, government, and industrial institutions in nanomaterials provide an accessibl

Systematically summarizes the current status and recent advances in bimetallic structures, their shape-controlled synthesis, properties, and applications Intensive researches are currently being carried out on bimetallic nanostructures, focusing on a number of fundamental, physical, and chemical questions regarding their synthesis and properties. This book presents a systematic and comprehensive summary of the current status and recent advances in this field, supporting readers in the synthesis of model bimetallic nanoparticles, and the exploration and interpretation of their properties. Bimetallic Nanostructures: Shape-Controlled Synthesis for Catalysis, Plasmonics and Sensing Applications is divided into three parts. Part 1 introduces basic chemical and physical knowledge of bimetallic structures, including fundamentals, computational models, and in situ characterization techniques. Part 2 summarizes recent developments in synthetic methods, characterization, and properties of bimetallic structures from the perspective of morphology effect, including zero-dimensional nanomaterials, one-dimensional nanomaterials, and two-dimensional nanomaterials. Part 3 discusses applications in electrocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, plasmonics and sensing. Comprehensive reference for an important multidisciplinary research field Thoroughly summarizes the present state and latest developments in bimetallic structures Helps researchers find optimal synthetic methods and explore new phenomena in surface science and synthetic chemistry of bimetallic nanostructures Bimetallic Nanostructures: Shape-Controlled Synthesis for Catalysis, Plasmonics and Sensing Applications is an excellent source or reference for researchers and advanced students. Academic researchers in nanoscience, nanocatalysis, and surface plasmonics, and those working in industry in areas involving nanotechnology, catalysis and optoelectronics, will find this book of interest.

Timely information on scientific and engineering developments occurring in laboratories around the world provides critical input to maintaining the economic and technological strength of the United States. Moreover, sharing this information quickly with other countries can greatly enhance the productivity of scientists and engineers. These are some of the reasons why the National Science Foundation (NSF) has been involved in funding science and technology assessments comparing the United States and foreign countries since the early 1980s. A substantial number of these studies have been conducted by the World Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC) managed by Loyola College through a cooperative agreement with NSF. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Committee on Technology's Interagency Working Group on NanoScience, Engineering and Technology (CT/IWGN) worked with WTEC to develop the scope of this Nanostucture Science and Technology report in an effort to develop a baseline of understanding for how to strategically make Federal nanoscale R&D investments in the coming years. The purpose of the NSTC/WTEC activity is to assess R&D efforts in other countries in specific areas of technology, to compare these efforts and their results to U. S. research in the same areas, and to identify opportunities for international collaboration in precompetitive research. Many U. S. organizations support substantial data gathering and analysis efforts focusing on nations such as Japan. But often the results of these studies are not widely available. At the same time, government and privately sponsored studies that are in the public domain tend to be "input" studies.

This book presents and analyzes the essential data on nanoscale metal clusters dispersed in, or chemically bonded with polymers. Special attention is paid to the in situ synthesis of the nanocomposites, their chemical interactions, and the size and distribution of the particles in the polymer matrix. Numerous novel nanocomposites are described with regard to their mechanical, electrophysical, optical, magnetic, catalytic and biological properties. Their applications, present and future, are outlined.