Micelles, liposomes, shell-linked particles, and vesicles are all results of the spontaneous self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules to form enclosed or aggregate structures that contain solvophobic regions surrounded by solvent-loving moieties. In all of these structures, opportunities abound to exploit them for chemical separations, controlled release, directed transport, and synthesis. Fundamental studies of these organized systems have increased in the recent decade. The pursuit is often biologically inspired, but in creating mimics we still fall short of the natural systems. Combining this activity with concerted synthetic chemistry and biochemistry provides great potential for the future.

The properties of modern electronic, optoelectronic, photonic, and magnetic devices provide another story of great science that has affected most of humankind. Electronic devices require special materials: materials that emit light when struck by a beam of electrons for use in television screens and computer monitors, materials to make the semiconductors that are the heart of electronic and microelectronic circuits, and materials that are used in magnetic memory storage devices for computers.

Classical electronic circuits and communication lines are made of metal to conduct electricity. Now we have the prospect of massively communicating by optical signals. The great progress in the use of optical fibers to permit light to travel in and between devices results from major achievements in materials processing. Special surface coatings on the fibers reduce signal degradation; optical switches allow connections with devices communicating through optical fibers. The optical fiber revolution provides very high speed plus the ability to pack much more information into a given transmission.

There is considerable interest in developing new types of magnetic materials, with a particular hope that ferroelectric solids and polymers can be constructed— materials having spontaneous electric polarization that can be reversed by an electric field. Such materials could lead to new low-cost memory devices for computers. The fine control of dispersed magnetic nanostructures will take the storage and tunability of magnetic media to new levels, and novel tunneling microscopy approaches allow measurement of microscopic hysteresis effects in iron nanowires.

One of the most exciting properties of some materials is superconductivity. Some complex metal oxides have the ability to conduct electricity free of any resistance, and thus free of power loss. Many materials are superconducting at very low temperatures (close to absolute zero), but recent work has moved the so-called transition temperature (where superconducting properties appear) to higher and higher values. There are still no superconductors that can operate at room temperature, but this goal is actively pursued. As more current is passed through

Front Matter (R1-R14)

Executive Summary (1-10)

1 Introduction (11-15)

2 The Structures and Cultures of the Disciplines: The Common Chemical Bond (16-21)

3 Synthesis and Manufacturing: Creating and Exploiting New Substances and New Transformations (22-40)

4 Chemical and Physical Transformations (41-54)

5 Isolating, Identifying, Imaging, and Measuring Substances and Structures (55-70)

6 Chemical Theory and Computer Modeling: From Computational Chemistry to Process Systems Engineering (71-94)

7 The Interface with Biology and Medicine (95-122)

8 Materials by Design (123-147)

9 Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry (148-159)

10 Energy: Providing for the Future (160-170)

11 National and Personal Security (171-179)

12 How To Achieve These Goals (180-194)

Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Steering Committee Members (195-201)

Appendix B: Statement of Task (202-202)

Appendix C: Contributors (203-208)

Index (209-224)