Nanoscience gets bigger at the RSC

Nanoscience and nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding field and is getting increasing coverage across RSC publications. Read about some of the hottest new nanoscience being published. 

 

Nanotechnology and nanoscience is an extremely diverse field, ranging from novel extensions of conventional device physics, to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, to developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale, even to speculation on whether we can directly control matter on the atomic scale.

The rapidly growing field of nanoscience is touted to begin a new era by bringing us materials that were not available before with wide-ranging applications, such as in medicine, electronics, and energy production. 

 

RSC Publishing recognises the importance of nanoscience as a central part of modern science and of its own publishing portfolio. Whether the question is how to solve the global energy problem, improve methods of drug delivery, enhance catalysis of chemical processes or create new information storage devices, the answer almost certainly involves nanoscience and nanotechnology such as that published in RSC journals. The growing debate on the future of implications of nanotechnology including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials is also recognised as an important concern. 

"Research and development on the nanoscale has evolved to a wide-ranging and highly competitive field of research bridging the classical disciplines of chemistry, physics, and biology."

  The rapid growth of the field is shown as nanoscience and nanotechnology increasingly form central themes of international conferences, including the Spring 2009 ACS meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, where the plenary speakers include Vicki Colvin (Rice University), Jim Hutchison (University of Oregon), George Whitesides (Harvard University), and Grant Willson (University of Texas, Austin) all of whom have published work in RSC journals in recent years. 

The RSC is also proud to have a long association with leading contributors to nanoscience, such as Sir Harry Kroto, the Nobel-prize-winning discoverer of the first Buckminsterfullerenes (C₆₀ and C₇₀) who served as the president of the RSC from 2002 to 2004 and is now a series editor on the book series RSC Nanoscience & Nanotechnology. 

Themed Issues

Research and development on the nanoscale has evolved to a wide-ranging and highly competitive field of research bridging the classical disciplines of chemistry, physics, and biology. This interdisciplinary nature is reflected in the range of themed issues on the topic spanning RSC journals. 

Nanotubes, nanowires and nanobelts are important one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials that are the foundation for nanoscience and nanotechnology. 1D nanomaterials have important applications in electronics, optoelectronics, sensors, biomedical science, environmental science, green energy and advanced defence technologies. A themed issue on this topic published recently by Journal of Materials Chemistry gathers papers about the synthesis, characterisation and novel applications of 1D nanomaterials, giving a broad overview about the ongoing cutting-edge research in the forefront of this field.

Nanotechnology is becoming increasingly important in developing solutions to the world's current energy challenges. Dalton Transactions' latest themed issue, Nanomaterials for alternative energy sources, focuses on the latest developments in this area. The preparation and use of nanomaterials for energy generation, transport, storage, efficiency, and conservation are covered in this issue. This themed issue is guest edited by Andrew Barron from Rice University, Texas, USA.

With all the progress made in nanoscience has come the need for tools that allow analysis and manipulation on an almost atomic level. This theme was covered in a recent issue of PCCP with papers on the theme of Analysis, manipulation, and simulation on the nanoscale. 

There are still a wide range of exciting topics in the nanotheme to explore in the future. Metal oxide nanostructures: synthesis, properties and applications and Nanophotonics are just two examples of up-coming PCCP themed issues with a nano focus.

Books

The first edition of Nanochemistry was published by the RSC only three years ago. However its global success, along with exceptionally rapid change in the field, has necessitated the publication of a 2nd edition. The new edition, written by Geoff Ozin, André C Arsenault and Ludovico Cademartiri presents a major update highlighting the latest breakthroughs using more than eighty new case histories, additional problem sets, and more teaching principles.  The RSC Nanoscience & Nanotechnology series contains books that discuss the interface of chemistry with subjects such as materials science, engineering, biology, physics and electronics to realise developments in this rapidly evolving area.

Topics covered include the characterisation, performance and properties of materials and technologies associated with miniaturised lab on a chip systems. The books focus on potential applications and future developments of the materials and devices discussed.  

The latest book in the series Bionanodesign by Maxim Ryadnov, discusses the design and fabrication of nanostructures using nature for inspiration. Nature offers examples of nanodefined self-assemblies in virtually all levels of biological organisation which can be used to give guidance to make functional or specialist nanostructures. The book has three core chapters focusing on three prominent topics of applied nanotechnology where the role of nanodesign is predominant: using DNA to create various geometric nanoscale objects and patterns; the pursuit of an artificial virus to use as a magic bullet in gene therapy; and the design artificial matrices for regenerative medicine.

The series is set to continue with the forthcoming book Nano-Society by Michael Berger which provides a human touch to nano-research and puts a spotlight on some of the scientists working in the field of nanotechnology. It looks at 122 very specific research projects that are happening in laboratories around the world and follows the trials and triumphs of the researchers and scientists in their efforts to push the boundaries of technology.