We have seen more than a flurry of activity around nanomaterials over the past few years. Let's face it nanomaterial science as a discipline is here to stay, this issue of Materials Today attempts to summarise just some of the latest thoughts, developments and application.
In little over 10 years we have seen how nanotechnology is enabling many new medical devices to help try and combat some illnesses that have haunted mankind for centuries.
Along with some of these astonishing breakthroughs come deep routed fears focusing paradoxically on the long term safety in humans; some of the concerns are looking at storage, end use, disposal, and regulation. The community is divided on how it feels we should combat some of these concerns. What we are seeing however from a large portion of the community is a gathering of detail on these materials and a wish to classify them and included within these records, as much information as possible relating to their stability and effect within society. Whilst these activities are commendable legislation does need to pass that will protect us all from any known side effects.
In this issue of Materials Today we have selected a number of papers that look at some of the wonders of nanomaterials, from shape and structure through to end devices.
In the first paper by Mei Zhang and Jian Li, take a look at the fascinating crystalline morphologies of Carbon Nanotubes; their synthesis, characterization and possible application.
This is followed by a very interesting paper from Gordon Wallace et al studying the popular area of energy conversion and storage; materials with an ability to take on charge and pass on charge will inevitably play a fundamental role in developing the field of energy supply and storage.
Dara Van Gough and co workers look at programmed assembly in some more detail, with precise control over nanostructure and resultant properties.
Joel Plawsky et al take an in-depth look at engineered nanostructured and nanoporous dielectric films for electronic and photonic applications.
Nanoporous and nanostructured films provide a route to low dielectric constant materials that will enable future generations of powerful microprocessors. They are the only route to achieving materials with refractive indices less than 1.2, a key feature for the future development of photonic crystal devices, enhanced omni-directional reflectors, enhanced anti-reflection coatings and black-body absorbers. This article reviews two primary techniques for manufacturing these films and discusses some of the film properties specific to the microelectronics and photonics industries.
I do hope you enjoy this brief journey in to the fascinating world of nanomaterials and if you have any ideas for future related themes, either through the magazine or via webinars or podcasts please get in touch.