Future perspectives in nanotechnology

The advances in nanotechnology allow us to suggest potential challenges for future interdisciplinary research. Four high-impact research areas will be discussed: 1. Nano-engineered metal nanoparticle/protein hybrids on electrodes hold great potential for the development of solar energy conversion systems. Designing biofuel cells mimicking photosynthesis using nanoparticle-protein hybrid materials is one challenging goal. 2. The programmed assembly of nanoparticles on surfaces is envisaged to yield new materials revealing new functionalities originating from collective interactions of the nanoparticles. Imprinted nanoparticle aggregates will find broad applications for sensing, controlled release/uptake, and photoelectrochemistry. 3. The incorporation of functionalized semiconductor quantum dots into cells is anticipated to allow the probing of intracellular metabolic processes. This would have significant implications in future nano-medicine as diagnostic tools. 4. The "logic" delivery of enzyme inhibitors or anti-sense compounds by functional DNA machines, in response to biomarker inputs, holds great promises for autonomous future nano-medicine.