Career scope of Nanotechnology

Imagine building a tiny machine that circulates throughout the human body, finding and destroying cancer cells, dissolving cholesterol and fighting harmful bacteria. Or, from clothing that can block chemical or biological weapons from touching the skin, fabric which is resistant to water , heat, stain and wrinkle, to targeting drug delivery to a single cell safely and effectively; these are possible, thanks to Nanotechnology.

Work of Nanotechnology Scientist
This new interdisciplinary subject involves working with matter at the scale of one-billionth of a metre (1 nanometre) i.e. 5,000 to 50,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair! Nanotechnology links physics with chemistry, biology and engineering to work on a new generation of products that are not only smaller, but stronger, lighter and more precise.

You would be working with technologies related to fine particles, thin films, chemical synthesis and more. You would also try to find ways to build complex structures with components as tiny as single atoms.

With an engineering or physics degree in hand, you could be designing, analysing and testing mechanical components for micro-Electro-mechanical systems research or for the assembly and packaging of micro-systems in sectors ranging from industrial machinery to healthcare products.

Once you have completed a degree in chemistry, engineering or physics, you could become a researcher in a lab where your role would be to study microscopic structures. This research could lead to useful systems in areas such as lasers, infrared detectors and optical devices. If you go on for a PhD you could be responsible for designing a research programme on a pacific area of interest.

The scope and application of nanotechnology is tremendous. It is estimated that nanotechnology would revolutionize every area, be it medicine, aerospace, engineering, industrial and technological areas, health or any other field.

Nanotechnology Education Requirements:
Since this is a very advanced field, you can study this only at postgraduate and higher level. But before that you must complete graduation (after 10+2 in science) in physics, chemistry or Biotechnology or in Engineering.

Key Skills of Nanotechnology:

• Curiosity and intellectual ability to ask the right questions – to think critically.
• Scientific and computer skills
• Precision, accuracy and attention to detail
• Analytical mind to work out how to put new discoveries to good use in practical terms

Nanotechnology Institutes:

• National Chemical
• Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore (www.jncasr.ac.in)
• Indian Institute of Science, bangalore (www.iisc.ernet.in)
• National Physical Laboratory, Delhi (www.nplindia.org)
• Central Scientific Instruments Organization, Chandigarh (www.csio,nic.in)
• Indian Institutes of Technology at Kanpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Delhi and Mumbai.
• University of Delhi, Delhi (www.du.ac.in)
• Benaras Hindu University Varanasi (www.bhu.ac.in)

It Is important to note here that these institutions focus, mainly on research in nanotechnology Amity Institute of Nanotechnology, Noida offers M.Sc. (Nanoscience) / M.Tech (Nanotechnology). It also offers 5 years integrated M.Tech (Nanotechnolgy) to 10+2 students. This is affiliated to a private university, visit (www.amity.edu/aint) for details.

Nanotechnology Remuneration
You may start with a monthly salary of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000.

Job Prospects of Nanotechnology:
Nano-Science and Technology is receiving attention all over the world. Multinational companies as well as research institutes require skilled n a n o t e c h n o l o g I s t s. ‘Nanomaterials Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI)’, a national programme, ahs been initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to promote nanotechnology research & development. DST is investing Rs. 100 crores over 2004-2009 for their Nanomaterials Science and Technology Initiative.