Nanoarchitectonics: the method for everything in materials science
Katsuhiko Ariga
Abstract
Abstract Nanotechnology has revealed the science of the nanoscale. The global challenge that will follow is to build functional materials with the knowledge of nanoscale phenomena. This task is carried out by nanoarchitectonics as a postnanotechnology concept. The goal of nanoarchitectonics is to build functional material systems by architecting atoms, molecules, and nanomaterials as building blocks. Fundamentally, all materials are made of atoms and molecules. Therefore, nanoarchitectonics, which architects materials from atoms and molecules, can be a universal way to create all materials. It may be said to be the method for everything in materials science. From atoms and molecules, which are basic units, to living cells, which are complex systems, all are components of nanoarchitectonics. This paper presents recent examples of nanoarchitectonics research at various size levels, from the atomic to the cellular level, specifically, (i) atomistic nanoarchitectonics, (ii) molecular nanoarchitectonics, (iii) supramolecular nanoarchitectonics, (iv) inorganic nanoarchitectonics, (v) biomolecular nanoarchitectonics, (vi) cell-mimic nanoarchitectonics, and (vii) cell-based nanoarchitectonics. The possibility of nanoarchitectonics, the method for everything in materials science, as an integrative challenge will then be explored.