The world is facing great challenges in meeting rising demands for basic commodities (e.g., food, water, and energy), finished goods (e.g., cell phones, cars and airplanes) and services (e.g., shelter, healthcare and employment) while reducing and minimizing the impact of human activities on Earth's global environment and climate. Nanotechnology has emerged as a versatile platform that could provide efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally acceptable solutions to the global sustainability challenges facing society. This volume is devoted to the utilization of nanotechnology to improve or achieve sustainable development. Recent advances are highlighted and opportunities of utilizing nanotechnology to address global challenges in water purification, clean energy, greenhouse gas management, materials supply/utilization and manufacturing are discussed. Also, societal perspectives are addressed and an outlook of the role of nanotechnology in the convergence of knowledge, technology and society for achieving sustainable development is provided. This book offers a thematic collection of papers previously published in the Journal of Nanoparticle Research.

This book charts the development of nanotechnology in relation to society from the early years of the twenty-first century. It offers a sustained analysis of the life of nanotechnology, from the laboratory to society, from scientific promises to societal governance, and attempts to modulate developments.

Fundamentals and Applications of Nano Silicon in Plasmonics and Fullerines: Current and Future Trends addresses current and future trends in the application and commercialization of nanosilicon. The book presents current, innovative and prospective applications and products based on nanosilicon and their binary system in the fields of energy harvesting and storage, lighting (solar cells and nano-capacitor and fuel cell devices and nanoLEDs), electronics (nanotransistors and nanomemory, quantum computing, photodetectors for space applications; biomedicine (substance detection, plasmonic treatment of disease, skin and hair care, implantable glucose sensor, capsules for drug delivery and underground water and oil exploration), and art (glass and pottery). Moreover, the book includes material on the use of advanced laser and proximal probes for imaging and manipulation of nanoparticles and atoms. In addition, coverage is given to carbon and how it contrasts and integrates with silicon with additional related applications. This is a valuable resource to all those seeking to learn more about the commercialization of nanosilicon, and to researchers wanting to learn more about emerging nanosilicon applications. - Features a variety of designs and operation of nano-devices, helping engineers to make the best use of nanosilicon - Contains underlying principles of how nanomaterials work and the variety of applications they provide, giving those new to nanosilicon a fundamental understanding - Assesses the viability of various nanoslicon devices for mass production and commercialization, thereby providing an important source of information for engineers

This volume presents a comprehensive perspective on the global scientific, technological, and societal impact of nanotechnology since 2000, and explores the opportunities and research directions in the next decade to 2020. The vision for the future of nanotechnology presented here draws on scientific insights from U.S. experts in the field, examinations of lessons learned, and international perspectives shared by participants from 35 countries in a series of high-level workshops organized by Mike Roco of the National Science Foundation (NSF), along with a team of American co-hosts that includes Chad Mirkin, Mark Hersam, Evelyn Hu, and several other eminent U.S. scientists. The study performed in support of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) aims to redefine the R&D goals for nanoscale science and engineering integration and to establish nanotechnology as a general-purpose technology in the next decade. It intends to provide decision makers in academia, industry, and government with a nanotechnology community perspective of productive and responsible paths forward for nanotechnology R&D.

This book introduces the latest methods for the controlled growth of nanomaterial systems. The coverage includes simple and complex nanomaterial systems, ordered nanostructures and complex nanostructure arrays, and the essential conditions for the controlled growth of nanostructures with different morphologies, sizes, compositions, and microstructures. The book also discusses the dynamics of controlled growth and thermodynamic characteristics of two-dimensional nanorestricted systems. The authors introduce various novel synthesis methods for nanomaterials and nanostructures, such as hierarchical growth, heterostructures growth, doping growth and some developing template synthesis methods. In addition to discussing applications, the book reviews developing trends in nanomaterials and nanostructures.

This book illustrates how green nanotechnology is being used to promote sustainability, including applications in environmental remediation and energy optimization.