I have recently updated my bookstore, selecting from my favorite nanotechnology books. The two books reviewed below do an excellent job of summarizing the very broad field of nanotechnology.
Travels to the Nanoworld can be divided into two sections. The first focuses on biological systems as a proof of principal for nanotechnology. Molecular motors, weak interactions and protein folding are only of the few of the numerous examples used to illustrate how natural nanotechnology makes life possible. After the first half, I was very motivated to continue reading about biomimetic research and the pursuit of synthetic nanotechnology. DNA nanotechnology, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, and self-assembly are among the topics. I read it from start to finnish without loosing interest. That might be because of my background in biochemistry, but others have said the same. Short sections called "Profiles" and "Ways and Means" describe people and methods, respectively. The book is full of interesting information such as that, making it both entertianing and informative.
Nanotechnology is my most useful nanotechnology book at the moment. 26 of the worlds leading nanoscientists have contributed to this work, which provides an accurate summary of the state of nanotechnology at the turn of the century. The first chapter provides an in depth analysis of Moore's Law, which appears to provide the economical motivation for most the research presented. Each of the 15 chapters views the nanoscale from a different perspective, and they do not have to be read in order. MEMS, lithography, nanostructuring, semiconductors, superconductors, carbon materials, self-assembly, atom manipulation, chaos and quantum dots are among the subjects presented. Formulas, illustrations and references are abundant, making it an excellent reference for anyone involved in nanotechnology. It could also function as a text for a course in nanotechnology, computer hardware, applied physics or related subjects.
