SCIENCE FOCUS
AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

FOREWORD

From

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

                  Nanotechnology is a group of emerging technologies in which the structure of matter is controlled at the nanometer scale, the scale of small numbers of atoms, to produce novel materials and devices that have useful and unique properties. Some of these technologies impose only limited control of structure at the nanometer scale, but they are already in use, producing useful products. They are also further developed to produce even more sophisticated products in which the structure of matter is more precisely controlled. The nanotechnology community thus focuses on applying these developing technologies to solving important world problems.
                  Although, there are many books/handbooks and journals focused on nanotechnology, no encyclopedic reference work has been published as of today. This collection fills this gap to provide basic information on all fundamental and applied aspects of nanotechnology by drawing articles from different applied research. It is a good scientific work of its kind in the field of nanotechnology, bringing together core knowledge and the very latest advances. It is written for all audience levels, allowing non-scientists to understand the concept of nanotechnology while providing up-to-date information to active scientists and experts in the field. This special edition is an indispensable source for research professionals, technology investors and developers seeking the most up-to-date information on nanotechnology, among a wide range of disciplines, from science to engineering to medicine.
                  Richard Feynman was the first scientist to suggest that devices and materials could someday be fabricated to atomic specifications. Later the term nanotechnology was coined. Today nanotechnology is reshaping technology. Nanotechnology is not only a part of future, but is all of it. Mankind history has always experienced waves of growth and development which affect societies, chances developed by mankind and employed to enhance the quality of life and create wealth. Nanotechnology is one of these emerging waves to make a superior future.
                  We are very pleased to announce the special edition of research papers presented at the LAUTECH NANO 2018 conference, organized by LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) published in SCIENCE FOCUS. This journal edition is intended to provide state-of-the-art expositions of latest advances by theoretical, numerical and experimental studies across the spectrum of the field, from scientific enquiries to practical applications. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the editorial boards, scientific advisors, both the authors and the reviewers, for their kind support and seek their continuous contributions in making SCIENCE FOCUS Journal one of the most successful and pioneer academic media in this vital field.

Prof. A.T. Oladipo,
Dean, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences,
LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.

MANAGING EDITOR

To support our vision, we defined a set of core values upon which we build the identity of SCIENCE FOCUS journal. Our values are those which we find lacking in leading journals in many scientific fields:

• Get your research results out fast. We are aiming to meet agile review process standards - to reach an initial decision of paper publishability within one week and to reach an editorial decision (Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, Reject) for the majority of submissions within two months.
• We support early stage researchers. SCIENCE FOCUS Journal Editorial Board is willing to provide resources, support and advice for early stage researchers in their journey from writing to publishing their scientific papers.
• We have a supportive review process. SCIENCE FOCUS Journal editors and reviewers are focused on providing support and high quality feedback for all authors who submit their manuscript to SCIENCE FOCUS Journal. Each author will receive constructive and fair feedback. If revision is necessary we want our comments to help you to make the edits and improvements needed to get your work published.
• We promote your work. All accepted articles are now linked to a unique DOI i.e “digital object identifier” A DOI name is permanently assigned to an object, to provide a persistent link to current information about that object, including where it, or information about it, can be found. The principal focus of assignment is to content related entities; that term is not precisely defined but is exemplified by text documents; data sets; sound carriers; books; photographs; serials; audio, video, and audiovisual recordings; software; abstract works; artwork, etc., and related entities in their management. With this unique “doi” number every article accepted can be accessed globally.

We hope that our values will make this journal comparable or even better in its services than what is offered in the publishing market today. Hoping to become a strong advocate of the continuing change towards greater openness and availability of knowledge. Of course, this task will be a long journey for all of us; we are all looking forward to achieve this in no distant time from now.

Prof. O. S. Bello,
Managing Editor,
Science Focus,
LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.

NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP (NANO⁺)

                  It gladdens my heart to write the foreword for this special issue of Science Focus dedicated to publishing some of the research papers presented at the LAUTECH NANO 2018 conference, organized by LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) (www.nanotech.lautech.edu.ng). The conference with the theme: 'Nanotechnology for sustainable development: opportunities for Africa' was held on 23-25 October, 2018 and drew one hundred and five participants from thirty-five institutions in Nigeria. NANO+ is a nanotechnology-based research group at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso that seeks to promote nanotechnology research in Nigeria through manpower development and publication of cutting-edge research. The group consists of scientists and engineers of diverse background with track record of expertise in nanotechnology. Since her debut in 2014, NANO+ had rd organized workshop on nanotechnology in 2017, and workshop/conference in 2018. Her 3 international workshop/conference on nanotechnology themed 'Nanotechnology applications in Africa: opportunities and constraints' comes up on 22-24 October, 2019 at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
                  Fourteen of the papers presented at the LAUTECH NANO 2018 conference formed the contents of this special issue of Science Focus, the flagship journal of Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, LAUTECH., Ogbomoso. These papers represent the ubiquitous applications of nanotechnology in all facets of human activities. The scope of the papers ranged from green synthesis of nanoparticles, through applications in biomedicine, animal husbandry, nanocomposites, solar/renewable energy, and civil engineering to hazards and policy issues on nanotechnology. I welcome you to read the papers.
                  On behalf of NANO+, I specially thank our indefatigable Dean of Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, and the Editor-in-Chief of Science Focus, Prof.Abiodun T. Oladipo for offering the group this special support of dedicating an issue of the journal to LAUTECH NANO 2018 conference on nanotechnology. This rare privilege, the first of its kind in LAUTECH has further shown the institutional support for the activities of NANO+. I must also thank the Managing Editor, Prof. Olugbenga S. Bello and the entire management team of Science Focus, for their efforts towards making the publication of this special issue a reality. The technical team of NANO+, headed by Dr. Musibau A. Azeez provided necessary supports to bring this publication to fruition. You are all appreciated. I equally congratulate our authors for confidence reposed in NANO+. We look forward to receiving more of your research findings in the future.
Thank you.

Prof.Agbaje LATEEF
Professor of Microbiology,
Head, LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+),
alateef@lautech.edu.ng.