... dense, dry, and cohesive) theyare strong and durable. In others (e.g., loose, wet, and soft) they are weak and unsuitable. Is it possible or even conceivable that new knowledge and the development ... nano- technology and the National Science Foundation’s vision for its future.Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.Geological and Geotechnical Engineering in the New Millennium: ... Enter a New Field of Physics.”He recognizes the potential for new, exciting discoveries, the possibility offabricating new materials and devices at the molecular scale, and identifies the need...