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...

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...