Number: 2007-040-2-200
Title: Analysis of the usage of
nanoscience and technology in chemistry
Task Group
Chairman: Javier
Garcia Martinez and Sanjay
Mathur
Members: Paul O' Brien, Herbert
D. Kaesz, Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg, Jeremy Ramsden, Alan Smith,
Martin Meyer, Gonzalo Abellán, and Noemi Linares
Objective:
To map and critically study the use of the prefix nano in various
fields of chemistry. For this purpose, we will use the different
search engines available on the web to compare the usage of nano-containing
terms. We will map the evolution and usage of nano-containing descriptive
terms according to different criteria, and critically analyze their
validity in scientific (chemical) language. This project is the
first step towards recommendations on the use of chemistry terminology
related to nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Description:
The last few years have observed a wide proliferation of the terminology
related to nanotechnology and nanoscience in chemistry. Today, all
high impact chemistry journals contain a large number of papers
devoted to this growing area, as many conferences include specific
sessions on nanotechnology.
The scope of this project is to study the use of "nano-"
terminology in chemistry, analyzing its evolution with time, by
country, and its penetration among various chemical disciplines.
The aim of this project is not to make any formal definition or
recommendation of the use of "nano-" in chemistry, but
first to determine what is the current situation regarding the use
of "nano-" in chemistry terminology through a detailed
analysis of peer-reviewed papers, patents, and books. This project
will deliver a guideline for IUPAC to assess the use of "nano-"
in chemistry as a first step in proposing recommendations and suggested
terminology.
The methodology proposed is the following. First, we will use widely
available and popular chemistry search engines, such as Sci Finder,
and others provided by the CAS and RSC. The hits on "nano*"
will be analyzed according to criteria, such as time, country, and
source. Secondly, we will repeat the process by restricting the
search to some of the most highly cited journals of each chemistry
discipline, to learn if "nano-" terminology has impacted
all the areas of chemistry and if so, to what extent and at what
rate.