Page 16 - Science at the nanoscale

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Introduction and Historical Perspective
6
Some important events in the historical development of
Table 1.1
nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Democritus and Leucippus, determined that matter was
5th Century B.C.
made up of tiny, indivisible particles in constant motion.
English chemist and physicist, John Dalton (1766–1844),
1803
developed the first useful atomic theory of matter.
Cambridge physicist J. J. Thomson (1856–1940), proposed
1897
that the mysterious cathode rays were streams of
particles (later became known as electrons) much smaller
than atoms.
Thomson’s student, Ernest Rutherford, determined there
1911
was a center of the atom, now known as the nucleus, and
electrons revolved around the nucleus.
1914
Swedish physicist Niels Bohr, advanced atomic theory
further in discovering that electrons traveled around the
nucleus in fixed energy levels.
1959
Feynman gives after-dinner talk describing molecular
machines building with atomic precision.
Taniguchi uses term “nano-technology” in paper on
1974
ion-sputter machining.
1977
Drexler originates molecular nanotechnology concepts at
MIT.
1981
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) invented by Gerd
Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer at IBM Zurich.
Buckyball discovered by Robert Curl, Harold Kroto and
1985
Richard Smalley.
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) invented by Binnig,
1986
Quate and Gerber. ch01
1989 IBM logo spelled in individual atoms by Don Eigler at
IBM Almaden.
1990 Nanotechnology: First nanotechnology journal by Institute
of Physics UK.
1991 Carbon nanotube discovered by Iijima at NEC, Japan.
1993 First Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology awarded.
1997 First nanotechnology company founded: Zyvex.
2000 President Clinton announces US National
Nanotechnology Initiative.