Customer Reviews

Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a general user of computer systems, and not schooled in nanoscience at all. What a relief to see that there's a book out there that can explain this emerging field to me! Not only is the book easy to read, it's fascinating, with a review of in-depth nan inventions, business aspects, and a general review of chemistry which is great because I had forgotten how it all fits together.

I would recommend this book to the average user that wants to know about this science-it is really easy to read and it makes the entire science clear-I was not aware of the science before this except for general rumors of nanobots. It is a refreshing look at a science that has, until now, been under-reported.

I really wanted to like it, I didn't much care for the Ratner's Introduction to Nano. The two dish out a lot of hype (Imagine that... imagine that... Nanotechnology may do all of these things!) and not as much information as one would expect, even from a book mean to ease you into a topic.

I found the writing totally average. Misconceived jokes and mechanical prose made reading the book most unpleasurable, and chapters are so divided that the book has very little continuity.

Look somewhere else for a book on nano.

I really wanted to like it, but I didn't much care for the Ratner's Introduction to Nano. The two dish out a lot of hype (Imagine that... imagine that... Nanotechnology may do all of these things!) and not as much information as one would expect, even from a book mean to ease you into a topic.

I found the writing totally average. Misconceived jokes and mechanical prose made reading the book most unpleasurable, and chapters are so divided that the book has very little continuity.

Look somewhere else for a book on nano.

The book is what it says it is: A Gentle Introduction. If you want to know what Nanotechnology is before, for example, taking a course on it, this book will do the job.

The authors state (on page 4) that they "hope this book will be a quick airplane or poolside read...". It will take somewhat more effort than that to grasp and retain what is written but it is still well within the compass of the "intelligent layman".

From a stylistic point of view I found the book a little tedious hence four stars out of five.

I also read "Understanding Nanotechnology" which covers much the same ground and which I prefered mainly on stylistic grounds.

The book is EXCELLENT! The authors managed to give a broad account of nanotechnology that is both comprehensible for non-experts and exciting and informative for the experts.
A fantastic mix that outlines the scientific, engineering, and economic impacts of nanotechnology. Should be mandatory reading material for all science undergraduates!!!!

Prof. Torsten Fiebig, Boston

This book provided an easily comprehensible overview of many aspects of nanoscience. Concepts were presented without too much overwhelming scientific language. All in all, a good book for someone who wants an introduction to the world of nanoscience, applications of nanotechnology, and how the future will be affected by new discoveries in this field.

This book is a great overview for the non-scientist. I found it to be an easy and quick read overall. This was the first book that I read on Nanotechnology and I understood about 80% of what was being said, after reading 3 more books on the topic and coming back to this one - I understood about 95% of what was being said. I have given this book to several friends that are interested in learning more about nanotechnology and they all find it to be and helpful.

As a graduate student, I can appreciate this book for what it is - a very general overview for those without a technical background. Ratner sets the stage very well, describing why the nanoscale is a "different kind of small," and what implications this has in several fields - medical, electronics, energy, consumer products, etc. Since we are talking mainly about the ability to very precisely design material properties, and every manufacturing-based industry is based on the use of some material, it is not too much of a leap to see that working at the nanoscale will be a huge source of competitive advantage in the coming years.

The only portion of the book I found lacking was the investment/business section. Most non-technical readers of this book probably have a rudimentary understanding of business, if not an expertise in business, and this part of the book was a little too basic.

One interesting point not mentioned in the book (And I wouldn't expect it to have been mentioned) - within the technical community, many folks shy away from using the word "nanotech," largely because it is typically viewed as the next logical step in established fields. "Mechanical Engineering at a smaller scale," "More precise Materials Engineering," "Business as usual for the chemists," etc. etc. It is a far more common word among lawyers, politicians, and business people, those who are looking at technology trends from a very high level. Still, I would have to say that Ratner gets it right - it is beneficial for the scientific and engineering communities to think about this as a new field, one in which knowledge of engineering, chemistry, and biology are all essential. Simply thinking in terms of this paradigm will encourage folks who may never have spoken before (i.e. - a mechanical engineer and a chemist) to realize that there is room for innovative collaborations. In addition to new designer materials, this may be the biggest result of the "nanotech" revolution.

What a nice, easy introduction for the lay reader to an important new field of science that will be a part of our lives for years to come! I am a professional, non-scientist, and I found this intro to nanotech to be an easy-read that provided a perfect survey of the breadth and potential impact of this field. I have listened to a couple of lectures on nano-applications in medical science, but in comparison, this book was a more lucid and entertaining preview of this field.

Phenomenal book - very well written and easy to understand. These authors know their stuff. For those who have some science or even no science background, they make the most complicated systems easy to follow. The illustrations are helpful as you go through the text. I can't wait to read their next book on homeland security. Definitely a must read for those interested in nanotechnology.