Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea

Biosystems

Of the 91 naturally occurring elements, many are found in biology. As human beings, we require some highly unusual trace metals such as zinc, iron, vanadium, manganese, selenium, copper, and all the other goodies on the side of a vitamin jar for specific biological functions. Of the total weight of most plants and animals, however, well over 95 percent is made of four atoms: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon. These are also the elements that dominate in most synthetic polymers. The reasons are quite straightforward. These atoms can form a wide variety of bond types; therefore, nature can use them to build some very complex nanostructures to accomplish the jobs of life, and scientists can use them to make new materials. For example, ...