TABLE OF CONTENTS augmented computational capability now enables sophisticated computer simulations of nanostructures. These new techniques have sparked excitement in nearly all parts of the scientific community. Traditional models and theories for most material properties and device operations involve assumptions leading to "critical scale lengths" that are frequently larger than 100 nm. When the dimensions of a material structure is under the respective critical length scale, then the models and theories are not able to describe the novel phenomena. Scientists in all materials and technology disciplines are in avid pursuit of the fabrication and measurement of nanostructures to see where and what kind of interesting new phenomena occur. Further, nanostructures offer a new paradigm for materials manufacture by assembling (ideally utilizing self- organization and self-assembly) to create an entity rather than the laborious chiseling away from a larger structure . Richard E. Smalley
As we enter into the new century it is probably as good a time as any to look ahead and try to glimpse future trends in our society. With the abundance of powerful personal computers and workstations as well as plentiful supercomputer time available to researchers, the role of computational methods in the advancement of science and technology has become quite important. Such enhanced computational facilities have also brought about the advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology [1]. These advancements will most likely continue and the tendency will be towards increased utilization of numerical models and high-tech imaging techniques. There will be great incentives to...
