With a selective presentation of topics that makes it accessible for students who have taken introductory university science courses, Understanding Nanomaterials is a training tool for the future workforce in nanotech development. This introductory textbook offers insights into the fundamental principles that govern the fabrication, characterization, and application of nanomaterials. Provides the Background for Fundamental Understanding Assuming only a basic level of competency in physics, chemistry, and biology, the author focuses on the needs of the undergraduate curriculum, discussing important processes such as self-assembly, patterning, and nanolithography. His approach limits mathematical rigor in the presentation of key results and proofs, leaving it to the instructor’s discretion to add more advanced details, or emphasize particular areas of interest. With its combination of discussion-based instruction and explanation of problem-solving skills, this textbook highlights interdisciplinary theory and enabling tools derived from chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, and engineering. It also includes real-world examples related to energy, the environment, and medicine. Table Of Contents A Brief Introduction to Nanoscience The Need for Nanoscience Education The Nanoscale Dimension and the Scope of Nanoscience Self-Assembly Supramolecular Science Sources of Information on Nanoscience Intermolecular Interactions and Self- Assembly Chapter Overview Intermolecular Forces and Self- Assembly Electrostatic Forces between Surfaces: The Electrical Double Layer Intermolecular Forces and Aggregation Simple Models Describing Electronic Structure References and Recommended Reading End of Chapter Questions Rudiments of Surface Nanoscience Chapter Overview Fundamentals of Surface Science Adsorption Phenomena: Self-Assembled Monolayers Surface Chemistry References and Recommended Reading End of Chapter Questions Characterization at the Nanoscale Chapter Overview Surface Tensiometry: The Surface Tensiometer Quartz Crystal Microbalance Ellipsometry Surface Plasmon Resonance Dual Polarization Interferometry Spectroscopic Methods Nonlinear Spectroscopic Methods X-Ray Spectroscopy Imaging Nanostructures Light Scattering Methods References and Recommended Reading End of Chapter Questions Types and Uses of Some Nanomaterials Chapter Overview Supramolecular Machines Nanowires Carbon Nanotubes Quantum Dots Langmuir-Blodgett Films Polyelectrolytes . Model Phospholipid Bilayer Formation and Characterization Self-Assembled Monolayers Patterning DNA and Lipid Microarrays Cited References References and Recommended Reading End of Chapter Questions Appendix Glossary Index