While the term “nanofluidics” is not exactly a strictly defined subject, the editors have clearly taken upon themselves to set it apart from the much more widely used “microfluidics”. This they have done with a tight focus on device and technology applications where true nanoscale effects come into play. The topic is, itself, quite interdisciplinary and the task of compiling a satisfactory introduction to the subject (which is the editors’ declared aim), is by no means straightforward.

The topics cover quite a wide range of scientific disciplines, split into nine chapters. These cover contemporary subjects such as nanoscale channel structures and flow properties/manipulation (Chapters 1 and 2) implementation of nanostructures for size separation and analysis (Chapters 3 and 4), more specific applications (Cancer research, Chapter 5) and biomolecular detection (Chapter 6).The final three chapters concern two important nanofluidics device features; thin film membranes and nano-pore technology.

The editors have done a great job in bringing together many different aspects of an arguably very broad and interdisciplinary field. Throughout the book, the authors make critical comparisons of methods and results, highlighting advantages and drawbacks. This strengthens the book immensely as it can serve as a reference work for researchers with specific aims or experimental limitations. All aspects of the book are well written, engaging, and most authors provide sufficient information to allow interested readers to delve deeper into specific topics.

Most chapters have a good balance between fundamental theory, important empirical concepts and practical applications, introducing fundamental governing equations and make good use of diagrams and experimental results. Some chapters do, however, have some overlap in basic theory.

Overall, the book itself is a good introductory work for researchers who are looking to take the final step from simple microfluidic lab-on-chip (LOC) devices into the nano-regime where truly new things are happening. Several chapters in the book highlight important differences between the two regimes, where appropriate. For scientists who are new to the LOC universe and looking to get started, there are probably better introductory and more practically focussed works.

Where the book struggles is with regards to coherency. The book’s chapter structure and verbose titles obscure links between topics that are actually closely related. Each chapter also has a widely different aims, with some trying to provide broad perspectives and others focussing almost entirely on the author’s own work.

Despite these criticisms, the book successfully gathers together exciting and contemporary research and creates a single convenient resource for its readers to acquire a quick, but still broad, familiarity with the dynamic and expansive field of nanofluidics.