The Science and Function of Nanomaterials ─ From Synthesis to Application

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have functioned as effective "buzzwords" for at least a decade due to the unique properties that materials possess on the nanometer scale. The interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology is so great and so widespread that these topics are even being introduced at the K-12 level in some school districts. Nanoscience and nanotechnology have already improved many applications and have the potential to continue to do so, making it important for all types of scientists to stay up-to-date on research related to nanomaterials.

In the first section of this book, a variety of synthetic methods used to make or functionalize nanomaterials are presented with work related to mesoporous materials, semiconductor nanowires, graphene, and carbon nanotubes included. The second section of the book presents accounts of using nanotechnology and nanoscience in a variety of ways. Overall, this book presents a snapshot of research covering synthetic studies of nanomaterials to applications of nanomaterials.

Amanda S. Harper-Leatherman received her bachelor's degree in Chemistry from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After a post-doctoral position at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, she joined the faculty of Fairfield University in 2006 as an Assistant Professor. She was promoted to Associate Professor and awarded tenure in 2013. Her current research involves studying protein interactions with nanomaterials and highly porous aerogels.


Camille M. Solbrig completed her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Penn State, followed by training in SEM and X-ray analysis, as well as an MS in Textile Science and a Ph.D. in Polymer Science elucidating polymer surface chemistry from Cornell. She then held industrial positions in research and development around the USA, before becoming an Assistant Professor teaching undergraduate chemistry at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT.