You have probably heard the word nanotechnology before. However, do you really know what it is or how it can make your life better? In this article, Nuannat Simmons sheds some light on this cutting-edge technology.
Nanotechnology is the integration of science and engineering on a tiny scale – namely, with atoms and molecules. Scientists work with special electron microscopes in order to undertake cutting-edge research and product development. Many countries around the world have focused their research on nanotechnology because of its perceived long-term benefits.
In the USA on 24th June 2011, President Obama launched the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), a national effort bringing together industry, universities and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies that will create high-quality manufacturing jobs and enhance global competitiveness. The President’s plan is to invest more than $500 million in information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, and support the creation of good jobs by helping U.S. manufacturers to reduce costs, improve quality, and accelerate product development.
The benefit and applications
Nanotechnology is helping to considerably improve, even revolutionize, many industry sectors including information technology, energy, environmental science, medicine, homeland security, food safety, and transportation, among others. Many countries believe that in the future this technology can help to solve the challenges human society will face and help us to;
- Find cheap and clean energy
- Source and treat enough clean water for everybody around the world
- Improve human health and longevity
- Produce enough food for the world’s ever-increasing population
- Increase communication as well as improving the process of information exchange so that everybody on the planet will have an equal opportunity to communicate
- Increase our ability to explore the universe
Where and how to study Nanotechnology
If you want to study nanotechnology, now is the right time as there are more and more universities around the world offering undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses. Generally, the study of nanotechnology involves a multidisciplinary natural science education with courses in nanotechnology, physics, chemistry, maths and molecular biology. Most of the courses are postgraduate programmes.
Once you graduate
If you study Nanotechnology programmes in the USA, these are in the list of STEM programmes. This may allow you to extend your stay in the USA after you have graduated by apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa. For more information please click here.
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