Nanotechnology has become a major line of inquiry in recent scientific research. Köhler (physical chemistry and microreaction technology, Technical U. of Ilmenau, Germany) and Fritzsche (biotechnical microsystems, Institute for Physical High Technology, Germany) present an introduction to the principles of creating nanostructures and their uses. Chapters cover molecular basics, the microtechnological foundations of the field, the preparation of nanostructures, nanotechnical structures, characterization of nanostructures, nanotransducers, and technical nanosystems.