Nanotechnology in Schools and Research in Belgium

In 2005-2006 Belgium has initiated significant nanotechnology efforts, based on its educational culture of integration and networking. Wallonia has committed €13.3 million to its Programme Nano, spread over seventeen major research projects. Networking is encouraged across multiple centres of excellence, including the universities of Brussels, Liege, Mons-Hainaut, and Namur, plus the major nanotechnology centre, CERMIN, at the Universite Catholique de Louvain. Commercial applications of nanotechnology are being developed mainly through the university spin-outs and SMEs, with little large industry involvement at present.
University of Leuven - Faculty of Science: Molecular and Nanomaterials; Molecular Design and Synthesis; Quantum Chemistry.
University of Antwerp - Department of Physics: Condensed Matter Theory; Electron Microscopy for Materials Research; Elementary Particle Physics; Experimental Condesnesd Matter Physics; Theoretical Study of Matter; Theoretical Solid-State Physics.
Free University of Bruxelles - Physics of Irradiated Solids and Nanostructures: The principal activity of the PSIN is materials modeling at atomic scale. It is subdivided in two branches. The first relates to the damage of irradiation in the materials and the phenomena that take place. The second relates to the science and the technology of the nanoparticules and the nanostructures.
University of Louvain - NANOtic: the program targets a radical shift of paradigm when compared to current diagnostic approaches. In the long term, it may become possible to disperse a swarm of specific sensors, randomly in the field to be investigated (biological fluid, sample, environment, reactor, gas pipe...), each realizing a particular diagnostic function (DNA hybridization, antigen-antibody binding, molecular adsorption, cell culture analysis ...).
IMEC - Europe's leading independent research center in the field of micro- and nanoelectronics, nanotechnology, enabling design methods and technologies for ICT systems. Research programs: CMOS-based nanoelectronics; Nanotechnology and post-CMOS nanoelectronics; Characterization, reliability and modeling.

Nanotechnology in Schools and Research in Belarus

For many years Belarusian scientists have exerted their efforts to finally succeed in interpretation of quantum mechanisms of electron movement in solids. The newly acquired knowledge will underlie creation of highly efficient nanochips and nanomaterials, to be subsequently used in mass production of consumer goods.
Belarusian State University - Center of Nanoelectronics and Novel Materials - research areas: Charge transport in DNA-based devices; Quantum computing; Scanning probe nanotechnology; Semiconducting silicides; Silicon and Germanium structures; Silicon based optoelectronics; Silicon quantum well devices; Sol-Gel processes.
Republican Centre for Technology Transfer - Having accomplished the preparatory phase (analysis of the findings and examination of the developers' patent history related to the power nanotechnologies), the Republican Centre for Technology Transfer (RCTT) has set about promoting the promising nanotechnology portfolio. RCTT was established in 2003 under the auspices of UNIDO, the UNDP, the Committee for Science and Technologies at the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Nanotechnology in Schools and Research in Argentina

Argentina and Brazil have launched a new, virtual nanotechnology centre that will coordinate research done in both countries. Using the science infrastructure of each country, the researchers intend to develop joint projects, raise human resources capacity, create interchange grants for researchers and organise activities. An interdisciplinary research team jointly located at the national Atomic Centre Bariloche and the Balseiro Institute is conducting research into nanoscale effects in magnetism, semiconductors, superconductivity, surfaces and other fields.

Atomic Centre Bariloche - Nanoscience Group - mission: organize an internationally recognized focal point in Bariloche for the research and the technological development of nanoscale materials; foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers in several areas of basic and applied science and engineering; offer solid and high quality formation to undergraduate and graduate students through theoretical and experimental courses within the recently created career of Master in Physics and the existing Ph D; interact with the industry, both for the resolution of specific problems as well as for the development of new technologies and devices. The research on nanoscience is carried out by 27 researchers and more than 20 undergraduate and graduate students at the Physics Department. Projects on surface physics, optics, magnetics and electronics are currently being developed in different laboratories of the department.

National University of Cuyo - Balseiro Institute: the institute is part of the National University of Cuyo and offers research and study programs in Physics, Nuclear Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Nanotechnology in Schools and Research in Austria

Austria has launched dedicated nano initiatives at nation-wide and regional levels, and seeks to focus and cluster respective projects in nanotechnology. National funding programs at large also encompass nano-related research and development activities.

University of Vienna: Every year at the beginning of March the International Winterschool on Electronic Properties of Novel Materials (IWEPNM) is organised in Kirchberg/Tirol/Austria by our group in cooperation with the Institut für Physikalische Chemie, TU Darmstadt, D, Max Planck Institute for Institut für Festkörperphysik, TU-Berlin, D. Worldwide leading scientists working in the field are invited for lecturing and graduated students and young scientists participate with poster presentations and in discussions. Topics for presentation are nanotubes, molecular wires, molecular machines, quantum dots, and material science of various low dimensional systems. research programs: Nanocrystalline Diamonds (thin films, coatings); Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes; Fullerenes (endohedral fullerenes, endofullerene cluster); Template Grown Nanomaterials; Molecular Cluster (quantum wires, quantum rods, self-organization, single molecule analytics); The Quantum Gyroscope.

Upper Austrian Research - Center for Biomedical Nanotechnology: With the Center for Biomedical Nanotechnology of the UAR GmbH, Upper Austria is now starting to take part in one of the most exciting and ground-breaking scientific areas, bio-nanotechnology. In close cooperation with the Johannes Kepler University Linz (Institute for Biophysics), state-of-the-art methods in biophysics are developed for applications in biotechnology, pharma industry, food technology and medical diagnostics.

University of Linz - Institute for Biophysics: Bionanotechnology projects funded by diverse organizations.

The NanoScience and Technology Center Linz: The Johannes Kepler University (JKU) and Upper Austrian Research (UAR), the research institution of the province of Upper Austria, brought together a consortium of three companies and four research institutions, which participated in the First Call with their proposal Nanostructured Surfaces and Interfaces (NSI). NSI covers three of the four main competence areas of the NanoScience and Technology activities in Linz and Upper Austria, and makes them available to the concept of the Austrian Nano Initiative: Biocompatible Nanostructures, Polymers and Nanocomposites, and Metal Surfaces and Interfaces.

Johannes Kepler University Linz - Institute of Semiconductor and Solid State Physics: There are two divisions with research groups involved in nanotechnology - Semiconductor Physics Division (IV-VI Group, Optics Group, Si-Ge Group, Transport Group, and X-Ray Group) and Solid State Physics Division (Epitaxy Group, Ion Implantation Group, NanoMIR Group, and Spectroscopy Group).

Johannes Kepler University Linz - Institute for Theoretical Physics: Research programs - Quantum Fluids, Finite Electron Systems, Paramagnetism in Superconductors.

Johannes Kepler University Linz - Institute of Process Engineering: Research in Nanofiltration - separation, isolation and purification of dissolved components during synthesis.

Julius Maximillians University Wurtzburg - Physics and Astronomy Faculty: offers a variety of reasearch programs in nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology in Schools and Research in Australia

Australia has a strong Nanotechnology sector with about 70 research groups and education organizations.

Australian National University - Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering: Nanotechnology and mesoscale research at RSPhysSE includes: Quantum wells wires and dots; Nanocrystals; Nanotubes; Mesoporous materials; Complex fluids such as liquid crystals; Properties of polymers; Folding of DNA molecules.
Australian Research Council - Nanotechnology Network: ARCNN is dedicated to substantially enhancing Australia’s research outcomes in this important field by promoting effective collaborations, exposing researchers to alternative and complementary approaches from other fields, encouraging forums for postgraduate students and early career researchers, increasing nanotechnology infrastructure, enhancing awareness of existing infrastructure, and promoting international links.

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology - Nanotechnology and Nanosciences: Future work in nano-catalysis will focus at preparing a range of unique nanostructure materials, based on the noble metals, and investigate their use as catalysts for the conversion carbon dioxide into more useful chemicals. Research projects include investigation of processes of biogenically synthesised gold nano-particles, development of novel bifunctional materials for removing mercury from condensate, nano modification of gold surfaces for sensing mercury in alumina refinery gaseous effluents, removal of mercury from alumina refinery wastewaters, synthesis and analysis of elemental semiconductor and oxide nanowires for chemo/bio-nano interface.

University of Queensland - ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials: The ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials was established in November 2003 under the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence Program. The Centre’s research programs focus on the computational nanomaterial science and the novel synthesis, characterisation and applications of functional nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, thin films, nanoporous, nanocomposite, nanobiomaterials. The Centre aims to: carry out world-class research at both fundamental and applied levels; provide first class research training contributing to the growth of Australia's human capital; establish close research linkages with leading international groups, positioning Australia as a world leader in this emerging field.

University of Queensland - Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology: AIBN is a new research institute which abandons traditional boundaries to focus research effort into areas that will provide great benefit for human health, manufacturing, information technology and the environment. Dedicated to bioengineering and nanotechnology, the AIBN focuses its research efforts into four major programs: Nanomaterials; Cell and Tissue Engineering; Systems Biotechnology; Nanobiotechnology.
University of Queensland - Nano Optics Group: The Nano Optics Group aims to develop a technology for the self-assembled growth of novel nanostructures based on colloidal quantum dots. We investigate the use of novel quantum dot structures for applications ranging from quantum state control and manipulation to the development of advanced photovoltaics.
University of Queensland - Quantum NanoScience Group: Quantum nanoscience projects - Development of Qubit Readout and Entanglement with quantum electromechanical systems (QEMS), Modelling decoherence in QEMS, Quantum entanglement in coupled nonlinear QEMS; Quantum information projects - Quantum entanglement in dissipative steady states, Quantum entanglement and unitary nonlinear maps, Single photonics. Quantum Nanoscience explains functionality and structure in natural or engineered nanoscale systems through quantum mechanisms such as discretisation, superposition and entanglement.
University of Queensland - Soft Condensed Matter Physics Group: The Soft Condensed Matter Physics Group research is focussed on the fundamental understanding and utilisation of functional soft condensed matter systems. Main research projects: Photoactive Biopolymers; 4th Generation Solar Cells; Conducting Molecular Crystals; Polymer Microlasers; Electrochemical Deposition of Biopolymers; Novel Conducting Polymers; Novel Molecular Electrochromics; Melanin Spectroscopy.
University of Queensland - Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis: CMM is an interdisciplinary research, teaching and service centre which also plays an integral role within the science programs of The University of Queensland, participating both in undergraduate and postgraduate education. The CMM is a foundation member of a Major National Research Facility (MNRF), the Nanostructural Analysis Network Organisation (NANO) which was established in July 2002. The MNRF provides new capabilities in understanding the three-dimensional structure at the atomic level of fundamental biological entities.

University of Southern Australia - Nano and Biomaterials Centre: This centre builds on existing internationally-competitive research strengths, and involves world-leading research capability in nano- and bio-materials, coupled to a proven ability to disseminate research outcomes to Australian industry/community for commercial and strategic benefit. There is strong national participation from Australian sponsors, including AMIRA International, and the international partners, from Europe and North America, bring highly complementary specialist expertise and specific facilities necessary for the project.

University of Technology, Sydney - Institute for Nanoscale Technology: The Institute was established in 2002 as one of four new UTS Research Institutes aligned to the national science priority areas. The vision is to establish UTS as a leading international player in selected key areas of nanotechnology. Research themes: optically-functional coatings and devices; characterisation of nanoscale structures; nano-biotechnology of proteins and lipids.
University of Sydney - Nanostructural Analysis Network Organisation: NANO-MNRF is the peak Australian facility for nanometric analysis of the structure and chemistry of materials in both physical and biological systems. NANO operates and maintains state-of-the-art facilities for the characterisation and manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular scale. With a primary focus on microscopy and microanalysis, this network organisation creates collaborations to explore and define the structure-function relationships which enable innovation in nanotechnology and biotechnology.
University of New South Wales - Electron Microscope Unit: The Unit is a founding member of the Nanostructural Analysis Network Organisation Major National Research Facility. This facility acts as the peak body for nanostructural analysis in Australia and combines the resources of over $70M of instrumentation and 100 staff across 5 national nodes. The mission of the Electron Microscope Unit at UNSW can be summarised as “Research Services, Research Training and Research Programs”.
University of Western Australia - Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis: The CMCA provides teaching and research infrastructure in ion, electron, laser and light microscopy and microanalysis to universities, state government and local industry. Recent research: nanoparticle self-assembly; airborne fibre identification; diamond growth evaluation; charge density determination; polymer film characteristics.
University of Melbourne - Micro-Analytical Research Center: The MARC group is now one of the largest research groups in the School of Physics and, in addition to the Quantum Computer project, works on a diverse range of research projects funded by the Australian Research Council, Industry and the CSIRO. The Melbourne Node of the Special Research Centre for Quantum Computer Technology is conducting research in four program areas: Atomic Level Manipulation and Imaging; Quantum Device Modeling; Materials Research and Analysis; Single Ion Implantation.

University of Wollongong - The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science: Established in 2005, ACES expands on the research program of the ARC Centre for Nanostructured Electromaterials and draws together researchers from a range of disciplines, including biologists, clinicians, chemists, physicists and engineers. ACES comprises four research organisations whose common goal is to explore electromaterials and how they can be applied to the way we live: the University of Wollongong; the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute; the Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials; Monash University’s Ionic Liquids group.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology developments over the past two decades and the ability to measure and manipulate matter at atomic and molecular scales have led to the discovery of novel materials and phenomena.

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary area that deals with the synthesis, manipulation and characterization of matter at the sub-100 nanometers level (1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter). Nanotechnology is still emerging although commercial products are already on the market.
Research and Development focuses on practical applications, such as energy, homeland security, healthcare, food and agriculture, environment, new materials, electronics.
On the other hand, it should be recognized the importance of the social dimensions of nanotechnology. Research aimed at understanding the benefits and risks to human health and the environment should be done, and methods for nanotechnology risk assessment and management should be developed. Conform to the National Science and Technology Council, the areas of society that may be affected by nanotechnology include economic, education, workforce, ethical and legal aspects.

Nanotechnology and Education

Education for Nanotechnology is going to be the main subject for this blog.

What is more important then preparing the Future for the Future? What is more important then educating the future nanoscientists and nanotechnologists for the nanoera and post-nanoera? Since we are already dealing with under-nano matter, the next logic step would be Picotechnology, although I think for the next 30 years or more we are going to be super busy with the nano-thing.

We live in an open information society and the best way to keep things under control is by educating people. EDUCATING OUR KIDS is one of the most important issues that should not be neglected because of the free info available over the Internet if we want to create a better society and improve our life.

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary area that could be extremely beneficial or extremely dangerous, including life threatening. The responsible development and application of nanotechnology could lead to create jobs and economic growth, to enhance national security, and to improve the quality of life. Some of the benefits would be cleaner manufacturing processes, stronger and lighter building materials, smaller and faster computers, and more powerful ways to detect and treat diseases.

Please visit often this blog if you or your kid(s) are interested to pursue a career in Nanotechnology. You will find informations about worldwide schools that offer nanotech programs, posted by country and state (for the US).