Background
Conventionally nanostructured materials are defined as materials composed of structural units with a size scale of less than hundred nanometers in any dimension. This length scale could refer to particle diameter, grain size, layer thickness or the width of a conducting line on an electronic chip. Based on dimensions, nanostructured materials are classified as zero-dimensional (nanosized powders), one-dimensional (nanocrystalline multilayer), two-dimensional (filamentary rods of nanoscaled thickness) and three dimensional (bulk materials with at least one nanocrystalline phase). The potential of nanostructured materials to exhibit superior properties in comparison to conventional materials with coarser structural units, as well as some unique properties (physical, chemical, mechanical, functional), has triggered significant research activities on the synthesis and characterization of the nanomaterials, in particular nanocrystalline ceramics.
A wide variety of applications have been recognized for bulk nanoceramics and nanoceramic composites, like durable ceramic parts for automotive engines, cutting tools, heat engine components, wear resistance parts, aerospace related industrial applications, ultra-fine filters, flexible superconducting wire, fiber-optic connector components and so on. In spite of such an appreciable range of projected applications of bulk nanoceramics and ceramic nanocomposites, they are yet to penetrate commercial market in a big way. The bottleneck lies in the difficulties encountered in large scale processing of nanostructured ceramics. Although the nanoceramic composites are being developed at various research laboratories in last two decades, a comprehensive understanding of the processing-microstructure-structural/functional property relationships in many technologically important material systems is still lacking. Also lacking is the understanding of various properties at nanoscale. Another important aspect is to explore the application of Nanostructured ceramics and composites in biomedical applications, in particular orthopedic applications, tissue engineering as well as drug delivery.
It is in this perspective; an ‘International Workshop’ will be organized at IIT-Kanpur on 8-9th September, 2007. Such a meeting is expected to serve the following purposes:
a) to identify new challenges and emerging trends in design of new nanocomposite system
b) to listen to the leading experts of Nanoceramics/composites
c) to identify some of the unanswered scientific issues related to Nanoceramic properties
d) to discuss some of the emerging areas of application, including drug delivery and Biomedical applications
e) to identify the challenges involved in the wider technological application of such novel materials
f) to educate and stimulate the young students and researchers, who have either just entered or have decided to make a career in this multidisciplinary research area of Materials Science
g) To serve as a platform for a large number of active researchers from various disciplines of biological sciences, metallurgy and materials science, ceramics, polymers, biotechnology as well as engineers, manufacturers, dentists and surgeons to participate and to share their latest research results
h) To encourage new bilateral interactions between fellow scientists in India and foreign countries, particularly Japan, Korea, USA etc.
Besides invited talks, the meeting will have poster presentation by active researchers and will conclude with a brainstorming session on Future perspective on Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology.