Ebook: Silicon Versus Carbon: Fundamental Nanoprocesses, Nanobiotechnology and Risks Assessment

Even though there is no generally accepted definition of nanotechnologies to be defined as distinct discipline there is an emerging consensus that their advent and development is a growing in importance factor of the contemporary and future technological civilization. One of these most fundamental issues we are confronted with is the compatibility with life itself. From single cell organisms to humans, carbon is a key building block of all molecular structures of life. In contrast the man created electronic industry to build on other elements, of which silicon is the most common. Both carbon and silicon create molecular chains, although different in their internal structure. All life is built from carbon-based chains. As long as the man built technological products do not directly interfere with the physiology of life the associated risks from them are relatively easy to identify. They are primarily in the environmental pollution and the possibility of upsetting the natural balance of biocoenosis, on a planetary scale. The basic life functions are still not directly subverted. We can use TV, computers, drive cars and use other technological utilities without fear of direct interference with our cellular functions. This is in particular because all these technological utilities are many orders of magnitude larger than typical scales of biological activity. Most of biological activity, from fermentative catalysis to DNA replication takes place on nanoscale. The situation is radically different when the technological goals are building nanoscale size products. All biological processes take place on nanoscale.

This volume consists of a variety of invited contributions by highly experienced educators, scientists, and industrialists, and is structured to cover important aspects of the field, from underlying principles to the most abstract concepts in nanotechnology. The program was split into four sessions, viz: environmental friendly nanotechnologies and risk assessments; environmental and biological risks of nanobiotechnology, nanobionics and hybrid organic-silicon nanodevices; fundamental nano-processess: from theory to technological applications and risk assessments; and the social aspects of nanotechnological revolution. Theoretical deductions, experiment, sociological, ecological and economical aspects were all inclusive to develop an integrated approach to the problems facing our civilization. It will be of considerable interest and value to those already pursuing or considering careers in the field of nanostructured materials and nanotechnology, in general. It also serves as a valuable source of information for those interested in related aspects of the field.