Nanotechnology is an exciting new field that deals with the design of extremely small structures having critical length dimensions on the order of a few manometers. Because of the broad field of potential applications, ranging from tiny robots and computers to tissue engineering and completely new materials, this technology has not only captured the attention of researchers and businesses in many different disciplines, but also enjoys enormous public interest through widespread coverage in the media, in particular following the recent announcements of substantial government-sponsored nanotechnology initiatives in many countries around the world. This paper reviews recent advances in the field of nanostructured materials produced by electro-deposition which, over the past decade, has evolved from a laboratory-scale phenomenon to a practical materials technology. After presenting some of the fundamentals dealing with synthesis, structure, and properties of electrodeposited nanocrystals, several examples of fully developed and emerging applications of these materials will be discussed. The overall objective of this paper is to help increase the awareness for this rapidly growing field in the electroplating community and to point towards opportunities for this industry.
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