Foreword

Metal cutting is a subject as old as the Industrial Revolution, but one that has evolved continuously as technology has advanced. Currently, the development of products at the nano- and microscale is being driven by economic necessity in order to improve the quality of life. Although the miniature devices may be manufactured by various procedures, their shaping through removal of material constitutes a major means of production. Established and recently developed methods of machining continue to be investigated for the shaping of such parts to specified small dimensions. The term ‘‘micro and nanomachining’’ has thus emerged and is generally used to define the practice of material removal for the production of parts at small scale.

The international technology assessment study has focused on the emerging global trend toward the miniaturization of manufacturing processes, equipment and systems for microscale components and products. This ultraprecision machining (or micro and nanomachining technology-MNT) approaches can begin to be compartmentalized by separation into either a ‘‘top-down’’ or ‘‘bottom-up’’ approach. Top-down fabrication refers to methods where one begins with a macroscopically dimensioned material while bottom-up fabrication refers to build up structures atom by atom. The study of MNT has investigated both the state-ofthe- art as well as emerging technologies from the scientific, technological, and commercialization perspectives. This will undoubtedly have serious long-term implications since it is well-recognized that micromanufacturing will be a critical enabling technology in bridging the gap between nanoscience and technology developments and their realization in useful products and processes. It is assured that the importance and number of MNT will grow dramatically in the coming years with the rise of nanotechnology. It is clear that scientists and engineers working from many different directions and finding their inspiration from engineering, chemical, and physical sources, are all contributing greatly to the field of MNT. Thus, it is our belief that readers from all fields will find material of interest in this multidisciplinary topic, and perhaps even find additional inspiration to invent the next-generation MNT methods and tools.

The eBook edited by Prof. Xuesong Han provides a broad overview of the micro and nanomachining technology and the recent advancement. Chapters written by him in his research fields will make the reader acquainted with a variety of topics ranging from the role of MNT, the basic investigation methods and the meaningful results. As such, the volume should be particularly useful to basic investigators, engineers and postgraduates interested in the latest advances in this exciting field.