Abstract

Chemical nanotechnologies have played, in the past few decades a major role in the convergence of life, physical and engineering sciences leading not only to simple collaboration among the disciplines but to a paradigm shift based on true disciplinary integration. The successful synthesis, modification and assembly of nanobuilding units such as nanocrystals and wires of different materials have demonstrated the importance of chemical influence in materials synthesis, and have generated great expectations for the future. Implications of chemistry as an innovation motor are now visible for knowledge leap forward in various sectors such as materials engineering for energy, health and security. Materials chemistry mostly housed at the universities and academic research institutions has delivered tremendous knowledge leap in the domain of functional materials but in the absence of proper validation of new materials for possible device application their commercial uptake is severely limited.