Nanoinformatics: Emerging Computational Tools in Nano-scale Research

摘要

Over the past several years basic research across several disciplines has revealed the promise of nanotechnology as an applied science in a wide range of industries. This progress has attracted the attention of government granting authorities, commercial researchers, and venture capital investors. Increased funding for nano-scale research initiatives has led to a growing demand for specialized human resource skills, research tools, and laboratory infrastructure. This paper looks to a new area of computational tools that has emerged to meet the needs of the nano-scale research lab, and predicts the development of the field of nanoinformatics that will enable new advances and new applications in nanotechnology. We start with the historical roots of computer science and informatics. Next we look to the development of informatics into particular areas of science and commercial industries. Finally we document the growing use of computer science, database management tools, and information technology architectures in nano-scale research.