Advanced probes and new fabrication techniques enable nanomaterials to pervade multiple disciplines, including physics, chemistry, engineering and biology. Na- materials have been extensively investigated with various kinds of morphologies (nanoparticles, nanowhiskers, nanorods, nanowires, nanoclusters, quantum dots, etc. ) and compositions (semiconductor, metal, polymer, etc. ). Impressive progress has been made on directed assembly and synthesis, structure, and property ch- acterization, as well as nanoscale device concepts and performance by a diverse group of experts. However, in spite of continued advancements in various aspects of functional nanomaterials, numerous challenges must still be overcome at different stages for practical applications to be realized. It seems that there is a need for a book in which individual research groups comprehensively review their up-to-date efforts and simulate further developments in other laboratories. Therefore, I believe that this book, which consists of twelve chapters from nine countries, is a timely undertaking. "Fabrication of Oxide Nanoparticles by Ion Implantation and Thermal Oxi- tion" is an in-depth review of the formation of oxide nanoparticles by metal ion implantation and subsequent thermal oxidation. Amekura and Kishimoto believe that there is a potential for an "embedded" breakthrough in the eld of oxide nanoparticles similar to "Hache's nding of a breakthrough" in the eld of metal nanoparticles. In"DesignofSolution-GrownZnONanostructures",Pauporter ' eviews signi cant progress toward the growth of well-controlled ZnO nanostructures in solution. He argues that solution-based methods are cost-effective and that the resulting nanostructures are easy to scale up for applications.
