Characterizing the emergence of two nanotechnology topics using a contemporaneous global micro-model of science

This study presents a methodology that can be used to characterize emergent topics within the context of a contemporaneous, global micro-model of the scientific literature. To illustrate its effectiveness, two known emergent nanotechnology topics (graphene and dye-sensitized solar cells) are characterized. We show that the model and methodology are suitable for characterizing the emergence of topics as they are emerging. In addition, we show that the two topics follow two different patterns of emergence – one where topic is not focused but then grows explosively, and one in which the topic quickly becomes an area of focus and grows steadily.