Talk:Molecular self-assembly

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[edit] Removal of nanotech navbox

I do believe that including molecular self-assembly as one of the nanotechnology fields is justified. Nanotechnology follows two routes to control of matter on the nanoscale: one is a materials-based viewpoint which centers around nanoparticles, the other is a chemistry-based viewpoint which relies upon molecular recognition to control the arrangement of individual molecules. DNA nanotechnology [1] is probably the most relevant example of this. See also Nanotechnology#Simple to complex: a molecular perspective and Top-down_and_bottom-up_design#Nanotechnology.

Additionally, this article itself says, "Many biological systems use self-assembly to assemble various molecules and structures. Imitating these strategies and creating novel molecules with the ability to self-assemble into supramolecular assemblies is an important technique in nanotechnology."

I want to hear your views first, but I do think that the nanotech navbox should be restored.

Antony-22 02:17, 9 April 2007 (UTC)


I agree that molecular self-assembly is an important concept in nanotechnology. However, I don't think that molecular self-assembly is itself molecular nanotechnology despite the fact that structures formed by the process may be. However if you would like to include it I will not change it back.
On a separate note I don't like the format for the navbox "Part of the article series on Nanotechnology" that you used. I find that such boxes are very useful, but prefer the kind located at the bottom of the article, such as "Major Fields of Nanotechnology" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Technology for example. Placing navboxes at the bottom keeps it from disrupting the images in the article. The format also allows the boxes to be readily viewed independently, discussed, and edited. Perhaps such a navbox could be created for nanotechnology. Happy to continue the conversation at my talk page. M stone 10:45, 9 April 2007 (UTC)