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Nanostructures have attracted steadily growing interest due to their peculiar, fascinating properties and unique applications relative to the bulk materials. Many interesting phenomena are associated with nanometer-sized dimensions. By using these nanostructures as functional components, various prototypes of devices have been successfully fabricated recently. The ability to generate these small structures is central to the advance of many areas in modern science and technology. Although some nanostructures can be generated using advanced nanolithographic techniques, the development of these methods into practical routes to large numbers of nanostructures, rapidly and at low cost, still requires great ingenuity. Chemical methods and self-assembly provide a promising strategy for the formation of nanostructures in terms of cost, throughput, and potential for large-scale production. This book, first published in 2003, covers research ranging from the fundamental chemistry and physics of nanostructures, to their interactions with light and electricity, to application in novel devices and technologies. Topics include: quantum dots and nanoparticles; one-dimensional nanostructures; molecular systems; patterning and colloidal self-assembly; and properties and applications.