Introduction

Abstract

Electrochemical nanotechnology utilizes electrochemical processes and techniques. We have been publishing several books in series, on electrochemical nanotechnologies. [1–6] This book deals mainly with applications of electrochemical nanotechnology in the fields of magnetic recording, ULSI interconnection, energy devices, bio-analysis, and bio-electrochemistry.

Nanotechnologies, in general, are concerned not only with downsizing and miniaturization of products, but also with ideas for creating new systems and new materials involving the scale of nanometers. A typical example is the invention of GMR, for which Fert and Gruenberg received the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics. The system is based exactly on the nano-order combination of magnetic materials with thin films.

Figure 1.1 shows the change in areal density of magnetic recording device with time, in which the areal density of hard disk drive (HDD) is plotted against the calendar year. The areal density of 1 terabit/in² was thought to be the achievable limit in view of the physical limitation of super paramagnetism. However, recent assessment assumes the possibility of achieving higher densities on new systems of DTR (discrete track recording), BPR (bit patterned recording), and TAMR (thermal-assisted magnetic recording). This example shows that nano-order arrangements and relevant ideas are becoming increasingly important in recent years.