Learn about the world of Nano Technology

Discover it's diverse and expanding applications in our modern world

First develop a foundation knowledge of the scope and nature of nanotechnology; then with that understanding, explore the diversity of applications across a variety of industries

Course Duration - 100 hours

Course Content

This course has nine lessons, as outlined below:

1. Scope and Nature of Nanotechnology

• History of Nanotechnology
• Applications
• Food Security
• Medicine
• Energy
• Automotive
• Environment
• Electronic
• Textiles & Cosmetics
• Future
• Passive Structures
• Active Structures
• Nano systems
• Perfect Molecular Nano systems
• Space Elevators

2. Atomic and Subatomic Particles

• Matter
• Forms
• Properties
• Nanoscale
  Elements
• Structure of an Atom
• Subatomic Particles
• Atom Models
• Molecules
• Chemical Bonding
• Ionic Bonds
• Covalent Bonds
• Hydrogen Bonds
• Polar Bonds
• Monomers and polymers
• Monomers
• Polymers

3. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

• History
• Photons - Quantisation of Light
• Atoms & Electrons
• Quantum Numbers & Orbitals
• Nuclei

4. Types of Nanoparticles

• Carbon-Based Nanoparticles
• Ceramics Nanoparticles
• Metal Nanoparticles
• Semiconductor Nanoparticles
• Polymeric Nanoparticles
• Lipid-Based Nanoparticles
• Properties of Nanoparticles
• Electronic and Optical Properties
• Magnetic Properties
• Mechanical Properties
• Thermal Properties
• Synthesis of Nanoparticles
• Carbon Nanotubes
• Types
• Structure
• Inorganic Nanotubes
• Nanowires
• Types

5. Nanofabrication

• Nanotubes and Nanowires
• Fabrication: Top-down method
• Etching
• Lithography
• Exfoliation
• Fabrication: Bottom-up method
• Arc Discharge
• Chemical Vapour Deposition
• Physical Vapour Deposition
• Self-Assembly
• Nucleation Growth.

6. Nanocircuitry and Semiconductors

• Types of materials
• Insulators
• Conductors
• Semiconductors
• Band Theory
• Energy diagrams
• Current in semiconductors
• Covalent bonding in silicon
• Electrons and Holes
• Types of semiconductors
• Doping
• N type semiconductor
• P type semiconductor
• PN junction
• Semiconductor devices
• Diode
• Transistor

7. Applications

• Applications - Improving Energy Use
• Energy Sources
• Energy Conversion
• Energy Distribution
• Energy Storage
• Energy Utilisation

8. Biomedical Applications

• Human Toxicity
• Applications
• Bioimaging
• Biosensors
• Dentistry
• Drug & Gene Delivery Using Nanotechnology
• Magnetic Hyperthermia
• Medical Devices
• Photoablation Therapy
• Sepsis
• Tissue Engineering

9. Applications – Environment and Agriculture

• Agriculture
• Environmental Impact
• Ecotoxicology of nanoparticles
• Titanium dioxide
• Reversing Desertification
• Risk Assessment

WHAT ARE NANOPARTICLES?

Many products that are currently on the market and in daily use, make use of nanoscale materials and processes in their production.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are small materials having size spans from 1 to 100 nm. They can be categorised into different types based on their properties, shapes, or sizes. The types of nanoparticles include fullerenes, metal NPs, ceramic NPs, and polymeric NPs. Nanoparticles have unique physical and chemical properties due to their high surface area and nanoscale size. Their unique properties make them suitable for various commercial and domestic applications including medical applications, energy-based research, and environmental applications. However, heavy metal nanoparticles of lead, mercury and tin are identified to be very stable. Therefore, these are not easily degradable, and this may lead to environmental issues.

Due to their size, nanoparticles (NPs) have unique material properties. Fabricated nanoparticles have many applications in sectors such as medicine, engineering, catalysis, and environmental remediation.
According to their size, morphology, physical and chemical properties, nanoparticles are classified into carbon-based nanoparticles, ceramic nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, semiconductor nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and lipid-based nanoparticles.

NANO FABRICATION

Nanofabrication is used to represent the manufacturing of materials, structures, devices, and systems that have a dimension of 100nm or less. There are two primary methods to nanofabrication: the top-down method and the bottom-up method. Top-down fabrication scales down large materials to the nanoscale. This method requires larger amounts of materials and can lead to creating more waste. The bottom-up approach to nanofabrication makes up the product from its atomic-scale components. It can be time-consuming.