Customer Reviews

Nanotechnology For Dummies

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It's *amazing* what you can find in the "For Dummies" series... :)

I've always enjoyed the Dummies series, especially when it comes to a complex subject where "I don't know what I don't know". A book that can explain the subject in simple terms gives me the mental framework on which to build my learning. This book is a perfect example... Nanotechnology For Dummies by Richard Booker and Earl Boysen.

Contents:
Part 1 - Getting Small with Nanotechnology: The Hitchhiker's Guide to Nanotechnology; Nano in Your Life; Gathering the Tools of the Trade
Part 2 - Building a Better World with Nanomaterials: Nanomaterials Galore; Adding Strength with Composites
Part 3 - "Smarter" Computers! Faster Internet! Cheaper Energy!: Building a Better Digital Brain; Routing Information at the Speed of Light; Nano-fying Electronics; Getting Energy and a Cleaner Environment with Nanotech
Part 4 - Living Healthier Lives: Diagnosing Personal Health Quickly, Easily, and Pain-Free; The Fantastic Voyage into Medical Applications
Part 5 - Investing in Nanotech: Industries Going Small; Countries Investing In a Nano Future; Nanotechnology Goes to School
Part 6 - The Parts of Tens: Ten (or so) Nanotech Movers and Shakers; Further Reading on the Web and in Your Library
Glossary; Index

My prior knowledge of nanotech was pretty much restricted to the sci-fi realm, where machines build themselves and nanotech runs amok. But if asked how it all works, I'd be at a complete loss. In this Dummies title, Booker and Boysen do an excellent job in making the very, very tiny... very understandable. You won't be ready to launch your own nanotech firm or get a degree in nano-medicine, but you'll at least walk away with a better understanding of the subject. While the authors do tend to be wonderfully enthusiastic about the nanotech future, I think that their optimism is somewhat warranted. They show you the edge of the future that we are about to enter, and even after dismissing the hype, there's some intriguing stuff out there.

I think I was most fascinated about where the medical field is going with nanotech. Customized delivery systems for medicines that can put the dosage right where it's needed. Nanocells that can attach themselves to cancer cells and then respond to laser stimulation and fry away the cancer. Obviously not next week's cure, but the authors show you it's closer than you might think.

If this subject is something you've thought interesting but still don't understand very well, it's well worth getting a copy of Nanotechnology For Dummies. It's an enjoyable read, and you'll come away with many "small" pieces of insight (sorry, bad nano-joke there...)

Sometimes I have to chuckle at the titles contained in the For Dummies series. Nanotechnology is not something that I would normally think of as being of interest to Dummies. I guess I'd best not give examples of subjects I'd think of as being suitable For Dummies.

However, that misses the point. The For Dummies series has pioneered a writing style that enables the non-informed reader to get a much better understanding of complex subjects.

Nanotechnology is a science that is only about twenty years old. I say 'about' twenty years because it really depends on just what you consider to be the start of the science.

Nanotechnology deals with things that are nano in size, say around 1/5000 the size of a red blood cell, about 1/75,000 the diameter of a human hair. At that size, all kinds of strange and wonderful things begin to happen. The technology promises to offer significant improvements in all kinds of areas from energy, health, to computers.

I can't really talk about the subject in this short review, it's too big, that's why it takes a whole book to cover.

Conclusion: Written in the For Dummies style, this is a book on Nanotechnology that makes it understandable to the average person. I'd consider it mandatory reading for anyone thinking of going into chemistry or physics for a career. My prediction (and the authors) is that this is going to be the hot science subject of the next generation. If I knew a high school student interested in science....

This book is a great introduction to nanotechnology. I've been intrigued by the idea that nanotechnology can tackle many issues, such as curing cancer or making travel into space much easier, and now I've found a book that clearly explains how these issues, and many more, are being tackled. The authors not only show how nanotechnology is being used to address many of our problems but explains in easy to understand language the progress that has been made to date, the research programs that are making further progress and the ethical controversties around nano.

Being a Science Fiction fan, it's fun when reality meets dreams. Coming to this book with very little knowledge of the subject, I was delighted to find the information explained in an easy to understand way. I especially enjoyed the chapters on the future of medicine and improving the environment through nano-tech. AND if you want to further your education in this fascinating field, there is detailed information, from websites to visit to universities to attend. Sometimes I can feel a little down when thinking of the future, and this book gave me hope.

I used "NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR DUMMIES" 2nd Edition by Earl Boysen and Nancy Boysen as a quick primer for a project I was involved in. Well, it is for Dummies! It took me through the history, basics, and current applications. Great reference websites as well as further education and current careers. Under Basics think lithography with nano(10 to minus 9th power) how cool is that! Self assembly using the properties of atoms and molecules (think like magnetic fields) arranging its own alignment. Applications like your laptop display on Velcro that would stick to the back of your airline seat.
Medical Apps like insulin pump controlled by nano-sensors. My favorite part of the book was "Applications" you could just let you imagination go quantum.

When I saw this book, I thought it would finally satisfy my thirst for knowledge about this subject since I knew next to nothing about nanotechnology. This book has some great information of what this technology can do and some companies that are working on making our lives better through the use of these machines. The problem that I had with this book was that it repeated itself. They talk about the properties about gold (for example) a lot throughout the book, which is fine if it was different information each time. However, they mention the same properties over and over in different chapters... Sometimes I swear they must have copied and pasted the same sentences into other parts of the chapter while changing just a few words. It is almost like each chapter is its own book that has to remind you of the things discussed in the previous or the next book. It has good information but the repetition of phrases and information annoyed me...

Rght off the bat an excellent table showing the size relationship of nano scale devices to other entities like a virus and a bacteria was displayed. This was very helpful. As informative as my audible.com lecture is pictures are so helpful.

If you want a 'fluff laden' book, then this one is for you; however, if you want to know more than just how to spell 'nanotechnology' you may want to look elsewhere. Remember, it is for Dummies.

Booked arrived quicker than promised and in good condition also as promised. Good intro to the topic.

Before reading this book, I didn't know, nor did I care about nanotechnology. But now, I see all the applications of it in every day life!