This book focuses on the fundamental phenomena at nanoscale. It covers synthesis, properties, characterization and computer modelling of nanomaterials, nanotechnologies, bionanotechnology, involving nanodevices. Further topics are imaging, measuring, modeling and manipulating of low dimensional matter at nanoscale. The topics covered in the book are of vital importance in a wide range of modern and emerging technologies employed or to be employed in most industries, communication, healthcare, energy, conservation , biology, medical science, food, environment, and education, and consequently have great impact on our society.

The last few years have seen dramatic advances in the growth, fabrication and characterization of low-dimensional materials and nanostructures. Most studies of these artificially engineered materials have been driven by their potential for device applications that involve smaller and smaller physical dimensions. In particular, the dynamical properties of these materials are of fundamental interest for the devices that involve high-frequency operation and/or switching. Consequently, the different excitations, vibrational, magnetic, optical, electronic, and so on, need to be understood from the perspective of how their properties are modified in finite structures, especially on the nanometre length scale due to the presence of surfaces and interfaces.

A presentation and discussion of the most recent advances in the field by the world's leading experts. Topics dealt with include new organic metals with quasi-two-dimensional structure, new organic superconductors, conducting and magnetic hybrid organic-inorganic materials, and highly conducting organic composites. Also reported are very interesting, significant results on optically controllable gratings in liquid crystals and polymers, organic electroluminescent materials, functionalised polymers and photonics, and nonlinear optics. Some new, fascinating fullerene derivatives and organic and metallic clusters are also presented. The chemical design of logic gates and molecular logic machines and the analysis of the roles of defects in clusters are attracting great interest. The properties of semiconducting quantum wires, electronic transport through magnetic molecular nanostructure and electronic transport properties of nanostructures containing both ferromagnetic and superconductors are also presented and discussed.

One-dimensional (1D) nanostructures, including nanowires, nanotubes and quantum wires, have been regarded as the most promising building blocks for nanoscale electronic and optoelectronic devices. This book presents exciting, state-of-the-art developments in synthesis and properties of 1D nanostructures with many kinds of morphologies and compositions as well as their considerable impact on spintronics, information storage, and the design of field-effect transistors.

This book presents synthesis techniques for the preparation of low-dimensional nanomaterials including 0D (quantum dots), 1D (nanowires, nanotubes) and 2D (thin films, few layers), as well as their potential applications in nanoelectronic systems. It focuses on the size effects involved in the transition from bulk materials to nanomaterials; the electronic properties of nanoscale devices; and different classes of nanomaterials from microelectronics to nanoelectronics, to molecular electronics. Furthermore, it demonstrates the structural stability, physical, chemical, magnetic, optical, electrical, thermal, electronic and mechanical properties of the nanomaterials. Subsequent chapters address their characterization, fabrication techniques from lab-scale to mass production, and functionality. In turn, the book considers the environmental impact of nanotechnology and novel applications in the mechanical industries, energy harvesting, clean energy, manufacturing materials, electronics, transistors, health and medical therapy. In closing, it addresses the combination of biological systems with nanoelectronics and highlights examples of nanoelectronic–cell interfaces and other advanced medical applications. The book answers the following questions: • What is different at the nanoscale? • What is new about nanoscience? • What are nanomaterials (NMs)? • What are the fundamental issues in nanomaterials? • Where are nanomaterials found? • What nanomaterials exist in nature? • What is the importance of NMs in our lives? • Why so much interest in nanomaterials? • What is at nanoscale in nanomaterials? • What is graphene? • Are pure low-dimensional systems interesting and worth pursuing? • Are nanotechnology products currently available? • What are sensors? • How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and nanotechnology work together? • What are the recent advances in nanoelectronic materials? • What are the latest applications of NMs?

The past few decades have seen an explosive increase in our ability to create nanostructures and nanosystems with a great degree of control, using a diversity of techniques. This ability has been accompanied by a similar enhancement in our ability to characterize structures and systems at the nanoscale. This book provides a broad overview of those nanostructures and nanosystems (together termed Nanotechnology). It covers structural characteristics and properties of nanostructures, nanofabrication techniques, methods for characterizing nanostructures, and applications for nanomaterials. The book also provides a thought-provoking assessment of the possible implications of nanotechnology in society, and likely future trends. Nanotechnology: A Crash Course is accessible to a wide readership and will meet the immediate needs of college graduates, doctoral students, professors, and researchers alike, who are looking for a quick yet inclusive grasp of this cutting-edge technology.Contents: To the Reader; Nomenclature; Low-Dimensional Structures; Properties of Nanostructures; Nanofabrication; Characterization of Nanostructures and Nanomaterials; Nanomaterials and Applications; Future Prospects; Index Suppose that you recently graduated with a B.S. degree in science or engineering and will commence your first professional employment tomorrow. Earlier this afternoon, your manager called to ask if you know something about nanotechnology, so that tomorrow you can begin developing an internal proposal for your division. But either your college did not offer a course on nanotechnology or you decided not to take one. You need a crash course in nanotechnology, just to get you off the ground.Suppose that you are a doctoral student in a department whose candidacy examination requires you to write a 5 10-page research proposal on an emerging topic assigned by the faculty committee. Suppose that your assigned topic intersects with nanotechnology, but all that you know about nanotechnology came from a couple of hour-long graduate seminars that you attended the previous semester.You need a crash course in nanotechnology, not only to write an impressive introduction but also to acquaint yourself with terminology to conduct efficient searches on Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, etc. Suppose that you are a post-doctoral researcher at either an academic or an industrial research institution. Your supervisor has asked you to advise a shining undergraduate student for a summer project in nanotechnology, although the focus of your own research is elsewhere. You need a crash course in nanotechnology, to start the youngster off in a promising direction. Suppose that you are a new assistant professor. Your departmental head advises that your research proposal to a government program to assist new faculty members begin research programs lacks that wow factor that would virtually guarantee success. Put in a nano angle, you are told. You need a crash course in nanotechnology, to clothe your proposal in the glory of nano. Suppose that you are a middle-aged professor undergoing a midlife crisis. Instead of changing your family or lifestyle, you may choose to change your research focus to an emerging research area.You need a crash course in nanotechnology, to assess your current resources and future needs. With your particular need in mind, we persuaded SPIE Press to publish our short and readable introduction to nanotechnology. WhileNanotechnology: A Crash Course is unlikely to convert you overnight into a nanostar, it would meet your immediate need and very likely help you steer your professional life in a new direction.

Nanostructured, Functional, and Flexible Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems gathers and reviews developments within the field of nanostructured functional materials towards energy conversion and storage. Contributions from leading research groups involved in interdisciplinary research in the fields of chemistry, physics and materials science and engineering are presented. Chapters dealing with the development of nanostructured materials for energy conversion processes, including oxygen reduction, methanol oxidation, oxygen evolution, hydrogen evolution, formic acid oxidation and solar cells are discussed. The work concludes with a look at the application of nanostructured functional materials in energy storage system, such as supercapacitors and batteries. With its distinguished international team of expert contributors, this book will be an indispensable tool for anyone involved in the field of energy conversion and storage, including materials engineers, scientists and academics. Covers the importance of energy conversion and storage systems and the application of nanostructured functional materials toward energy-relevant catalytic processes Discusses the basic principles involved in energy conversion and storage systems Presents the role of nanostructured functional materials in the current scenario of energy-related research and development