Beyond 2000: Micromachines and Nanotechnology : The Amazing New World of the Ultrasmall

Rating:
Summary: Confusing for younger readers, weak on applications
Review: This is a children's book on the technology of very small devices. The author starts with a brief history of miniaturizing clocks and other mechanical devices. He then describes microelectronics and micromachines (microscopic machines made using the same sort of technology used for manufacturing microchips). The final three chapters cover nanotechnology, the technology of building things one atom or molecule at a time. The author discusses atoms and molecules, manipulating individual atoms, and applications and problems of nanotechnology. This would be a stronger book if it had more discussion of applications of the technology-only about three pages cover possible uses of nanotechnology, and there is only one page for micromachines. Furthermore, the level of the writing is inconsistent, sometimes appropriate for children, and sometimes written at too high of a level (for example, I found the descriptions of fabricating microelectronics and micromachines to be confusing). I feel this book fails its intended audience: it is too difficult for younger children, and does not provide enough information on applications for older children. It may be useful for older children, to provide some historical background, and possibly for younger children if they skip over the details.