ASTM_E_2456_-_06_2012.pdf

Designation:E245606(Reapproved 2012)Standard Terminology Relating toNanotechnology1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2456;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 Nanotechnology is an emerging field;this standarddefines the novel terminology developed for its broad multi-and interdisciplinary activities.As the needs of this areadevelop,this standard will evolve accordingly.Its content maybe referenced or adopted,or both,in whole or in part,asdemanded by the needs of the individual user.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E1964 Practice for Compiling and Writing&Terminology(Withdrawn 2007)3E1992 Terminology Relating to Terminology Management(Withdrawn 2007)33.Significance and Use3.1 This standard is intended to facilitate communicationamong members of the business,research,legal,government,and educational communities.3.2 Definitions:3.2.1 Terms and their related standard definitions in Section4 are intended for use uniformly and consistently in allnanotechnology test methods,specifications,guides,and prac-tices.The purpose of such use is to promote a clear under-standing and interpretation of the standards in which they areused.3.2.2 Definitions of terms are written in the broadest sensepossible,consistent with the intended meaning using thefollowing guidance considerations.3.2.2.1 Terminology E1992 and Practice E1964 conceptsare considered,especially Sections 6.5,7,and 8 of PracticeE1964.3.2.2.2 Terms and nomenclature are based on observedscientific phenomena and are descriptive,distinguishable,andhave significant currency in the nanotechnology field asreflected in peer-reviewed articles and other objective sources.These terms and names should not disrupt accepted usage inother scientific and technological fields,and their preferredusage should follow accepted scientific syntax.3.2.2.3 When incorporating a term or name from a relatedfield,its underlying meaning is not redefined.Modifications areminimal and are done to elucidate scientific distinctionsrequired by nanotechnology practitioners.3.2.2.4 When conflicting or overlapping terms and namesarise between scientific disciplines,precedence was given tothe established term that has behind it a significant body ofknowledge.3.2.2.5 The definition of a term that can have differentmeanings in different technical fields,especially those fieldsbeyond nanotechnology,is preceded by a limiting phrase,forexample,“in nanotechnology.”3.3 Description of Terms:3.3.1 Descriptions of Terms are special purpose definitionsintended to provide a precise understanding and interpretationof standards in which they are used.3.3.2 A specific description of a term is applicable to thestandard or standards in which the term is described and used.3.3.3 Each standard in which a term is used in a speciallydefined manner beyond the definitions in Section 3 should listthe term and its description under the subheading,descriptionsof terms.3.3.4 Practice E1964,Section 13,are used to guide thecontents of descriptions.3.3.5 As nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field,itwill be necessary to continually reassess the terms and defini-tions contained in this standard,for purposes of revision whennecessary.The intent of the terms and definitions in thisstandard is to describe materials containing features betweenapproximately 1 and 100 nm and to differentiate those prop-erties different from properties found in either molecules or thebulk(interior)of larger,micron-sized systems.1This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E56 onNanotechnology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E56.01 onInformatics and Terminology.Current edition approved Oct.1,2012.Published October 2012.Originallyapproved in 2006.Last previously edition approved in 2006 as E2456 06.DOI:10.1520/E2456-06R12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.4 Discussion of Terms:3.4.1 Discussion sub-paragraphs are non-normative.Theyare used in this standard to provide explanatory information,toclarify distinctions between the use of terms in this standard ascompared with that in other contexts or other fields oftechnology and to suggest preferred usage of a term.4.Terminologyagglomerate,nin nanotechnology,a group of parti