Self-Assembly and Nanotechnology

A practical, enlightening overview and explanation of self-assembly and nanotechnology Self-assembly is an important method used in nanotechnology to construct objects from the nanoscale to microscale. A fabrication process in which nanostructures form naturally has the potential to be much cheaper than building the nanostructures manually. To encourage and facilitate exploration of these processes, Self-Assembly and Nanotechnology: A Force Balance Approach: * Explores a variety of materials and situations in which self-assembly nanotechnology is becoming increasingly important * Addresses the critical junction of two important fields: self-assembly and nanotechnology, with seven chapters on each field * Bridges the topics of self-assembly, colloids, and surfaces with nanotechnology * Approaches self-assembly, nanotechnology, and related topics with one unified concept--force balance * Provides a concise and conceptual description of the fundamental forces involved in both self-assembly and nanotechnology * Includes clear schematic illustrations to represent the principles * Integrates recent discoveries and findings This is an ideal text for courses that span different disciplines or different departments--a very effective approach for teaching nanotechnology. Complete with references for further, more in-depth information at the end of each chapter, it is also a valuable resource for researchers and scientists, including chemical engineers, physical and materials scientists, and others.