Directions in Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience

Theoretical and computational nanoscience is not only necessary for the description and prediction of nanosystems but also to keep nanoscience under control, just in connection with biological self-assembly. What are the critical parameters in the modelling of nanosystems? It turned out, for example, that nanosystems are in general very sensitive to small variations in the interaction potential between the atoms and molecules, but also the temperature dependence is a critical point. Both parameters (potentials and temperature dependence) have to be treated reliably, but this is often ignored. There is another relevant point: the developments in nanotechnology will be directly influenced by the basic laws of theoretical physics without an intermediate step. This could be important just in connection with quantum theory. New experimental results indicate that we possibly have to develop conventional quantum mechanics further.