We need novel materials to maintain the computer revolution, since we may be reaching the limits of “top down” miniaturization. Instead of etching pieces of silicon to produce electronic circuits that are smaller and smaller, there is the hope that “bottom up” design will work. In other words, self-assembly of molecules or nanoparticles offers the potential for construction of miniature electronic circuits that will be faster and will permit more computer power in a given space. Promising physical approaches involve soft-lithography or crystal or nanoparticle growth, but other processes doubtless will emerge as the field of nanoparticle science evolves.

Chemical scientists will seek new methods of generating nanostructures with a range of materials and processes that rely on ideas common in chemistry—self-assembly, diffusion, phase-separation, catalysis, wetting—to make these structures accessible and inexpensive.

In terms of technology, it is too early to predict what will emerge from nanoscience, although it is clear—for a field as fundamental as this one—that technologies will surely emerge. Candidates for early success include systems of photoluminescent colloids in which the same materials base provides any desired color simply by tailoring the size (for displays); compact disks with <50-nanometer pits (for very dense memory devices that will require near field recording technology); and optical elements for manipulating extreme UV and x-ray light. In the longer term, there will be, at minimum, demonstrations of information processors having key components with nanometer dimensions (perhaps made of organic or organometallic materials) and probes for exploring the interior of the cell.

As self-assembly and nanotechnology move from curiosities and demonstrations to more serious means of fabrication and manufacturing, the need for characterization tools, especially those that can meet the time scales for real-time processing, will grow enormously.

Improving the molecular control of addressable, switchable, or conducting molecules that have extremely high purity, selectivity, or specificity is a goal within reach in the coming decades. This will require the combination of synthetic and processing strategies, such as recognition and controlled binding, to tailor oligomeric materials with finely tuned properties. In this field, the chemical sciences will have to interact creatively with computer science and engineering in order to turn promising molecular switching ideas into practical computer architectures.

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)