Nanotechnology: Understanding Small Systems

by Ben Rogers, Jesse Adams, Sumita Pennathur

Although nanotechnology is a hot topic, the search for a true introductory textbook usually comes up cold. Students in a first course on nanotechnology come from a wide variety of backgrounds, so the text must not assume understanding of too much background material, nor be too focused on any particular area. And still, those students are capable of understanding the hard details of the science, so the text must not gloss over the rigorous scientific explanations. Understanding Small Systems fits perfectly between popular science books and high-level treatises, neither of which suit the needs of students approaching this field for the first time. Working from the ground up, this text provides a detailed yet accessible introduction to the world’s fastest growing field. Through real-world examples, hundreds of homework problems, original illustrations, and a clear approach, the authors accomplish the delicate task of keeping the book engaging while not avoiding real explanations of complex concepts. They take a systems-based approach, demonstrating how an understanding of the various areas underlying nanotechnology come together to create systems with unique functions and characteristics. In every case, comparing nanoscale systems to macroscale systems reveals the complex and fundamental differences between phenomena at different scales and uncovers the specific challenges posed by nanotechnology. With comprehensive coverage conveyed in an engaging and entertaining style, Understanding Small Systems provides a gateway into the exciting and rapidly evolving area of nanotechnology.

Genres: Science

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Rogers’ debut novel The Flamer was called “one of the wisest, funniest, strangest novels I’ve ever read” by Christopher Coake, and “diabolically funny” by Claire Vaye Watkins. He is also the author of The Daughters, The Heavy Side, and The Mayfly. His work has been published in The Rumpus, PANK, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, The Portland Review, Arroyo Literary Review, and Wag’s Revue, and has earned the Nevada Arts Council Fellowship. He is also the lead author of Nanotechnology: Understanding Small Systems, the first-ever comprehensive textbook on nanotechnology, and Nanotechnology: The Whole Story, both of which earned the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award from the American Library Association. He studied engineering and journalism in college and has worked as a business analyst, a newspaper reporter, a teacher, and a scientist at various labs, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is currently the Director of Engineering at NevadaNano. For more information, visit www.readrogers.com.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good physics book giving an overview over the field of nanotechnology. Since this book was part of my course in nanotechnology we went pretty fast and went all over the book. Now the course is finished and I'll put this on the shelf. Great book, easy to understand, full of great stuff.

[Piyali Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so exciting, i postponed reading my new storybook to read this one :) and not much prior knowledge is needed to understand this book.

[Alex Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book but lacks images and illustrations

[Sid S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute blast! It's written in an engaging and accessible manner that any high-schooler can relate to. More science books should be written like this.