Journal of Nanoparticle Research

Edited by:
  • Mihail C. Roco
Kluwer. 4/yr. $278 (institutional), $88 (individual)

When Shakespeare penned the line “I do not like her name”, he could have been thinking about nanotechnology. Derived from the Greek nanos for dwarf, it may revolutionize our lives through the creation of nanometre-scale sensors, devices and machines. However, early claims about the potential of the subject leave many people cautious about using the n-word.

The Journal of Nanoparticle Research seeks to embrace all things nanotechnology while avoiding its name. With a hard focus on nanoparticles, the scope of the journal includes fundamental science, chemical synthesis, modelling, simulations, instrument development and molecular/particulate self-assembly into higher-order architectures. This broad remit extends from the biological and chemical to the physical sciences. The first volume of the journal has attracted an impressive number of full papers, many from leading groups with international reputations. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the majority of the papers cover the production and properties of inorganic nanoparticulate systems.

The journal carries both long and short papers, reviews, technology notes and meeting reports. There are also policy papers on funding initiatives. Intriguingly, the journal allows papers directed towards education: the first edition has a splendid paper on making the nanoworld comprehensible for schools and beyond. Given the publication's specialist nature, though, it may be that some of this outreach activity will fall away over time.

There are many top-quality physicochemical journals that would publish much of the work found in the first volume. But such publications do not attract a sufficient critical mass of papers in this area to create a comprehensive view. With quality basic science, and applications assured in areas as diverse as catalysis and drug delivery, Journal of Nanoparticle Research provides a cross-disciplinary focal point for the subject. Success is assured if it can maintain this focus.

→http://www.wkap.nl/journalhome.htm/1388-0764