About nanochemistry
What is nanochemistry?
Nanochemistry, as differentiated from nanotechnology, focuses on the unique chemistry and properties of materials with at least one dimension in the 5-100 nm scale. At this level, quantum effects can be significant, and also innovative ways of carrying out chemical reactions become possible.
Nanochemistry uses a bottom-up approach to the fabrication of nanoscale devices, employing molecular assembly, monolayer and thin film formation, controlled precipitation of particles and the like. In contrast, most nanotechnology research activities concentrate on the physical, electronics and engineering aspects of nano-materials, and employ an extremely expensive top-down fabrication approach.
How will nanotechnology affect us?
Nanotechnology will underpin the next industrial revolution[1]. It will affect every aspect of society in ways that cannot possibly yet be conceived, and redefine the way in which scientists interpret the world. In the decades to come, the nature of industry and the global economy will be fundamentally altered by advances in the nanosciences. Nanotechnology will offer ‘superior technology that is embedded in products and processes that are smaller, cheaper, faster, cleaner and smarter’[2] than those that currently exist, to produce practical and cost effective benefits for industry and the community.
What opportunities can nanotechnology bring?
Nanotechnology represents a technology revolution which will impact substantially upon industry and society of the future. It is an enabling technology that will affect almost every technological discipline and draw together normally disparate research areas. In March 1998, Dr. John H. Gibbons, a one time Presidential Advisor for Science and Technology, identified nanotechnology as one of the five technologies that will determine economic development in the next century[1]. For next fiscal year, the White House Office of Science and Technology has allocated US$847 million[2] for the advancement of research in nanotechnology, which is significant given budgetary constraints in other areas. The US National Science Foundation predicts that the market for nanotech products and services will reach US$ 1 trillion by 2015[3]. The National Nanotechnology Initiative[4] (refer Appendix 8.0) has also expressed in unequivocal terms, the need for the United States to take advantage of this strategic technology in order to remain competitive globally in the future, in an industry which is developing at an unprecedented rate internationally, and in which no country is a clear technology leader.[5]
[1] National Nanotechnology Initiative: The Initiative and its Implementation Plan, National and Science Technology Council Committee on Technology, Sub-Committee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology, July 2002
Nanotechnology in Western Australia
The issue for Western Australian industry is that it must capitalise on the current opportunities represented by the nano revolution immediately to remain competitive on an international and national level. Currently, no integrated WA hub of expertise exists that can provide the knowledge and experience required to introduce nano scale technologies into the State’s industrial base. As the expertise and experience of nano scale technologies lie fundamentally with universities and research institutions, a bridge between the fundamental university-based research and applications in industry is required to achieve the full potential of this remarkable technology.
