Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea

by Mark A. Ratner and Daniel Ratner

Book Overview

This book is the technical and business overview of tomorrow's scientific breakthrough. The authors survey the scientific research and business aspects of the field, try to explain the key concepts, provide a look at current developments, and give some thoughts on where nanotechnology is likely to go in the next few years. The book will be approachable and witty, with lots of illustrations and examples. The focus of the book is on science and technology,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0131014005
• ISBN13: 9780131014008
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Pearson
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Mandatory reading material for science undergraduates

The book is EXCELLENT! The authors managed to give a broad account of nanotechnology that is both comprehensible for non-experts and exciting and informative for the experts. A fantastic mix that outlines the scientific, engineering, and economic impacts of nanotechnology. Should be mandatory reading material for all science undergraduates!!!! Prof. Torsten Fiebig, Boston

An Excellent Introduction to Nanotechnology

I thought this book was an excellent introduction to the field of nanotechnology for the non-scientist. I highly recommend this book to those interested in cutting-edge scientific ideas as well as those with a particular interest in nanotechnology. I am a lawyer and graduate law student interested in the field of nanoscience from a legal/regulatory perspective. I have not taken a science course since early high school and I wanted a book which would give me a "gentle introduction to/overview of" the field so that I could grasp the science/technical basics. I found this book perfect for that purpose. It simplifies complex ideas without being simplistic. It starts with the very basics and explains simple concepts - like what is an atom, what is a molecule - without dumbing-down the information. It then progresses to the more complex, offering a terrific overview of nanoscience from the broadest possible perspective. It covers virtually every area - from optics, to electronics, to biotechnology, to ethics and investment issues. It even contains a helpful glossary of important terms. I thought that it was a wonderful book, intelligently written, brief and to the point. I can see how some people who are well versed in science might find this book too basic. However, as the authors point out in the introduction to this book, it was designed to introduce the scientific basics of nanotechnology to non-scientist professionals. It succeeds in doing just that. I know I will refer to it time and again during my research and I will recommend it to everyone with an interest in this fascinating field.

Nano Introduction

This book provided an easily comprehensible overview of many aspects of nanoscience. Concepts were presented without too much overwhelming scientific language. All in all, a good book for someone who wants an introduction to the world of nanoscience, applications of nanotechnology, and how the future will be affected by new discoveries in this field.

Nanotechnology, A gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea

This book is a great overview for the non-scientist. I found it to be an easy and quick read overall. This was the first book that I read on Nanotechnology and I understood about 80% of what was being said, after reading 3 more books on the topic and coming back to this one - I understood about 95% of what was being said. I have given this book to several friends that are interested in learning more about nanotechnology and they all find it to be and helpful.

A fabulous read!

I am a general user of computer systems, and not schooled in nanoscience at all. What a relief to see that there's a book out there that can explain this emerging field to me! Not only is the book easy to read, it's fascinating, with a review of in-depth nan inventions, business aspects, and a general review of chemistry which is great because I had forgotten how it all fits together.I would recommend this book to the average user that wants to know about this science-it is really easy to read and it makes the entire science clear-I was not aware of the science before this except for general rumors of nanobots. It is a refreshing look at a science that has, until now, been under-reported.