NANOTECHNOLOGY

A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea


Mark A. Ratner &

Daniel Ratner

Up until recent years, Nanotechnology was widely popularized through science fiction as the source of creation of subatomic sci-fi products. Today we understand nanotechnology for what it is – a study of the fundamental principals of structures and the control of matter at an atomic or molecular level. Nanotechnology takes the concept of sci-fi further through creation of not only small objects, but the smallest of things ever made.  In the recent years, nanotechnology has made its way into TV shows, news discussions, newspaper headlines, magazine articles and generally every section of the media covering scientific developments. As people become more comfortable with seismic shift potential in engineering and science, they also willing accept nanotechnology’s capability towards revolutionizing the application of physics across the world.

But how is this important to the common man? This question forms the basis of Mark and Daniel Ratner’s new book “Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea.”

The Ratners explain how the scientific revolution brought by nanotechnology can affect businesses and investments. The Ratners, like many others, believe that the next big thing in business is nano. Indeed, their beliefs are well founded, as the National Science Foundation predicts a $1 trillion nanotechnology industry by 2015! Nano has already assumed top business priority at HP, NEC and IBM. The Ratners highlight on the latest developments in the business arena, how even smaller companies are making their way into the nano ring with private equity investments surpassing $2 million annually.

Moltz emphasizes on the importance of building ‘trust capital’ by securing customers with enough finance to invest in young companies. In his book, he states how this should be done; forming alliances through customer and service relations. According to Moltz, businesses should be allowed to grow at their own pace and without burdening them with new developments in the process. In his book, Moltz also stresses on family support and their perspective on business

Information contained is easy to understand, suitable for people with school or college level knowledge of chemistry.

‘Nanotechnology’ will also benefit private investors with basic knowledge of nano, aiding their search for high-profit investment grounds.


Mark Ratner

Serves as a professor of chemistry at the Northwestern University. He won the Feynman prize in Nanotechnology in year 2001

 Daniel Ratner

The co-author of ‘Nanotechnology’ is a qualified engineer and successful entrepreneur with several high-tech businesses founding experience. Their book focuses on the future of nano business and related concepts


Published by 

Prentice Hall