Nanotechnology, a stimulus for innovation

摘要

The virtues of nanotechnology have combined to make the subject worthy of special emphasis in the research community and a source of new commercial products, This has been the result of a synergistic combination of major historical technological advances, recent scientific discoveries (especially of new scientific principles), and a futuristic vision that supports widely acclaimed goals. Surprisingly complex self-assembled structures (new materials) resulting from nature's forces have been discovered and are under intense examination for exploitation. The forces lead to biological complexity, also a result of self-assembly, and are beginning to be understood. The subject has opened new scientific frontiers and has begun to redirect scientific pursuit from somewhat narrow fields of inquiry within scientific disciplines to include broader objectives related to technologies and useful materials. Aspects of the Subject that make it particularly attractive for high-level support are examined. Nanotechnology as it impacts fields of electronics and information, biology, chemistry and medicine, energy, the environment, transportation, and especially that of materials, is briefly considered.