Another Definition of Chemistry:
'Universal chemistry is the Art of resolving mixt, compound, or aggregate Bodies into their Principles; and of composing such Bodies from those Principles.' - Georg Ernst Stahl (1660-1734)
History:
Traditional chemistry is perhaps the most extablished method for organizing atoms. Since ancient times, when alchemists began to develop glassware to the latest advancements in supramolecular chemistry, the techniques have been most well established. Sub-disciplines of organic, inorganic, analytical, biological and physical chemistry have since evolved. The periodic table seems to have most of its holes filled, and atomic constants such as molecular weights are known with high precision. If a nanoengineer wants any particular molecule, chances are that if its stable a chemist has synthesized it or can figure out how. Nanotechnology is now bringing us the ability to directly interact with atoms and molecules, which is the dream of any chemist. Thus, the tools, molecules and theory that have been established and tested for hundreds of years of modern chemistry are an essential part of nanotechnology.
Principles of Operation:
The production of precise nanostructures, requires pure molecules to ensure reproducible and atomically precise assembly. Thus, methods in chemical preparation are essential for nanotechnology. Beakers, thermometers, pipettes, heaters, coolers, rotory vacuums, electrodes, pH meters, centrifuges, fume hoods... the list of supplies that go into a chemistry laboratory seems endless. Furthermore, catalogues and databases of available molecules and reactions provide the means to create just about any nanoscale device conceivable if one has the correct technique. Combining these manually operated tools with instruments such as spectrometers, NMR, scanning probe microscopy along with bottom-up and top-down methods provides a convenient means for the fabrication of atomically precise devices.
"It may seem that there is little difference between the achievements of chemistry and the goals of nanotechnology, that is, to understand and manipulate molecular scale phenomena. However, nanotechnology takes a novel and revolutionary approch to this goal. While chemistry deals with molecules in a statistical sense, nanotechnology deals with them as discrete entities, each requiring special attention." - Nanoscale Chemistry
Advantages
- An endless range of possible materials can be produced with traditional chemistry equipment
- Molecular components of numerous variety have been prepared and charachterized using traditional chemical tools.
- Manual chemistry complements the other instruments.
Disadvantages- Requires skilled, patient and lucky chemists.
- Not as reproduceable as more automated methods.
- Traditionally deals with atoms and molecules stochastically.
