Opportunities in Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology covers all aspects of the production of materials, devices and systems by manipulating matter at nano scale (one-billionth of a meter). It is the engineering of functional systems at molecular scale. Two main approaches are used in nanotechnology. In ‘bottom-up’ approach, materials and devices are built from molecular components which assemble themselves chemically. In the ‘top-down’ approach nano-objects are constructed from larger entities without atomic level control. Materials when reduced to nano dimensions show drastic change in physical, chemical, magnetic, optical, mechanical and electrical properties. The change in properties may be due to quantum mechanical or statistical mechanical effects or it may be due to large surface area to volume ratio. The increase in surface area to volume ratio results in a change in mechanical, thermal and catalytic properties. When reduced to nano dimensions, opaque substance become transparent, inert materials become catalyst, stable materials turn combustible, solid turn into liquid at room temperature and insulators become conductors. 

Applications of Nanotechnology: Examples of nanotechnology are the manufacture of polymers based on molecular structure and the design of computer chip layouts based on surface science. Nanotechnology promises exciting applications in electronics, bioscience, medical science, environment, textile technology, cosmetics, security and variety of other fields. The range of possible applications include semiconductor laser, sensitive electromagnetic detectors,  nano scale motors, super catalysts, drug delivery systems, micro and nano electromechanical devices etc.    Nanotechnology application is being classified into three types; Incremental, evolutionary and radical. The current industrial applications  of nanotechnology restricted to use of colloidal nanoparticle in bulk form, such as suntan lotion, cosmetics, protective coatings and stain resistant fibres comes under purview of incremental category. Nano scale sensors exploiting quantum dots and carbon nanotubes representing evolutionary nanotechnology are in the R&D stage. Radical nanotechnology is currently at science fiction stage. Though the field is at infancy stage, the country is making dedicated efforts to develop a strong R&D base in nanotechnology. Further development of the field requires changes in the laboratory and human resource infrastructure in universities and in their educational pattern. Department of Science and Technology has launched National Nano Science and Technology Initiative in 2001 to expedite R&D efforts in this area. Many scientific institutions have already taken a lead in R&D in nanotechnology.

Institutes offering nanotechnology Education: Nanotechnology is a highly multidisciplinary subject which combines physics, supramolecular chemistry, material science, interface and colloid science, engineering, biotechnology, self replicating machines and robotics, information technology etc. The various sub and related fields of nanotechnology are nanomaterials, nanomedicine, nanorobotics, nanoelectronics, nanosensors etc. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore is a pioneer in nano science and nano technology in India. Many premier research organizations of the country like IISc Bangalore, IITs, NPL and NCL conduct research in various aspects of nanotechnology. Universities have also begun to offer nanotechnology courses and modules which are mostly designed for science and engineering students. Generally nanotechnology education involves a multidisciplinary natural science education with courses in nanotechnology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and molecular biology. A basic science degree preferably in Physics, followed by an M.Tech in nanotechnology is an ideal preparation for a career in nanotechnology. There is an elective paper on ‘Physics of Nanomaterials’ in the model curriculum of Masters in Physics developed by University Grants Commission in 2001. It is another matter that very few of the universities offer this paper to their students. There could be several reasons for this reluctance but the most important is lack of trained human resource to teach this subject. Lately several Indian universities started offering masters programme in nanotechnology. Some universities offer Master of Science in nanotechnology while others offer Master of Technology degree.  IISc, Bangalore, Andhra university, Jadavpur university, Vellore Institute of Technology, Bhartiyar University et al offer Master of Science degree.  All IITs, Punjab University, Sathyabama University, Anna university offer M.Tech. degree. University of Madras offers M.Tech. dual degree in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Sri Venketeswara university offers M. Sc. in Nanomaterials. Very few universities have started graduate program in nanotechnology.  Amity university, a leading private university offers five years integrated B. Tech. plus M.Tech. degree in nanotechnology. Teachers looking for help in nano-science and technology curriculum can find assistance on the portals NanoEd Resource, Nanotechnology Now, Understanding Nano etc. Science communicators looking for ethical, legal and political issues surrounding nanotechnology may consult UNESCO brochure ‘The Ethics & Politics of nanotechnology’.