From Molecules To Systems: The R&D Methodology Behind Nanotechnology's Next Leap
The third generation of nanotechnology is shifting from passive and active nanostructures to integrated nanosystems and devices. This new era requires an end-to-end, closed-loop R&D methodology, termed "molecules to systems," where system-level insights inform molecular engineering and vice versa. This approach necessitates close collaboration between chemists, materials scientists, and engineers to optimize performance through iterative design and feedback loops, as demonstrated by advancements in atmospheric water harvesting using metal-organic frameworks. AI