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| | Nanoscience
What is nanoscience?
Nanoscience is a rapidly expanding field with the potential to greatly change the world we live in. Nanoscience is an interdisciplinary field that has emerged from the boundaries of physics, engineering, chemistry and biology. New properties of matter emerge at the nanoscale (a nanometer is one billionth of a metre) and there are many exciting challenges in fabricating, measuring and understanding matter on the nanoscale.
Nanoscience seeks to understand and manipulate the unique properties of matter and living systems on the nanometre length scale. Developments in nanoscience are driving advances in medicine, quantum computing, communications, forensics and environmental science.
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Megacrystals of polymer nanoparticles.
When polymer spheres (diameter =
300 nm) are forced into small volumes by capillary forces they
self-assemble into crystalline arrays complete with crystal faces and
defects. The spheres will find the arrangement that minimises the total
energy of the system. These arrays are completely analogous to atomic
crystals but approximately 1000x larger. These megacrystals diffract
visible light, to produce a vivid opalescence. |
The nanoscale
When matter has at least one dimension between 1 – 100 nm new and very useful properties emerge. On these length scales, quantum mechanics describes the properties of matter.
Why nanoscience?
The interest in nanoscience has been driven by parallel developments in seemingly
disparate disciplines. For instance, computer chip manufacturers are continually
seeking to miniaturize transistor dimensions to produce increasingly more powerful
processors. Transistors are now approaching the size of single molecules. Physicists
have developed techniques such as the scanning tunnelling microscope to examine
and manipulate matter on an atom-by-atom, or molecule-by-molecule basis.
 
Reprint Courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation, copyright © International Business Machines Corporation
Over the past 30 years chemists have developed very clever, yet simple, approaches for assembling complex structures from single molecules. Many of these techniques take inspiration from the remarkable self-assembled systems seen in biological systems. The fundamental units of biological systems e.g. DNA, proteins and polysaccharides all have dimensions on the nanoscale. All of these areas have one thing in common, they are all nanoscaled objects.
How can I become a nanoscientist?
Preparing for a Nanoscience degree
By now you may have guessed that chemistry, physics and biology will be required
to a greater or lesser extent if you wish to study Nanoscience. And of course,
mathematics is an essential part of the Nanoscience degree.
At schoolTake Chemistry, Phyics and Mathematics with Calculus to NCEA level 3 with
your choice of other subjects. Biology, Computing make good options.
Students will be expected to have achieved at least 14 credits at NCEA level
3 (or an acceptable equivalent) in each of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics
with Calculus.
If you have not done these subjects at school, you can prepare yourself over
summer, by taking an introductory paper at Massey. On offer from November to
February are
Nanoscience at Massey
The Institute of Fundamental Sciences at Massey University offers the first
Nanoscience degrees in New Zealand, the Bachelor of Science in Nanoscience and
the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nanoscience. A degree in Nanoscience
provides you with a modern, interdisciplinary approach to science. The nanoscience
major builds on the fundamentals of chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics
to produce an interdisciplinary qualification that provides graduates with sought-after
scientific skills.
The interdisciplinary approach of the Nanoscience degree offers a new approach
to a science degree qualification that reflects the approach to modern scientific
research. Nanoscience graduates will have a solid background in fundamental physical
theory and practice and be able to communicate with biologists, chemists, physicists,
engineers and of course, other nanoscientists.
Quantum and Bionanoscience
The Nanoscience major at Massey University provides two options:
- Quantum Nanoscience. If you would like to design a quantum computer,
or develop new and efficient renewable energy devices then Quantum Nanoscience
may interest you. The Quantum Nanoscience option builds on a foundation in physics,
chemistry and mathematics.
- Bionanoscience. If you would like to synthesize artificial muscle,
or are interested in applying nanoscience to the field of medicine, then Bionanoscience
is the option for you. The Bionanoscience option includes studies in biochemistry
and molecular biology to complement courses in chemistry and physics.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) with a Nanoscience Major
A BSc takes 3 years of full-time study. Nanoscience Major is available
at Palmerston North (Turitea). Some papers are available at Auckland ( Albany
) or extramurally (not necessarily every year).
In Nanoscience, papers to be undertaken in the first year are common to the
Physics and Chemistry majors. At 200 and 300-level, students take further papers
in Chemistry and Physics or Chemistry and Biochemistry, depending on personal
preference. In addition, all students will do papers dedicated to Nanoscience
itself at 200 and 300-level, including a Nanoscience Research Project, in which
they will help to design and then carry out a project on some exciting problem
in the science of nanomaterials.
For full requirements for the BSc degree see the regulations.
First year
Four papers are required for this major:
- 123.101 Chemistry
and Living Systems
- 123.102 Chemistry
and the material World
- 124.101 Physics
1(a)
- 160.101 Calculus
1
and to satisfy the degree requirements,
- 119.155 Communication
in the Sciences
The remaining three first year papers can be chosen from other first year
science papers to satisfy the overall degree requirements.
For Nanoscience
(Quantum option) do
- 160.102 Linear
Mathematics.
- 124.102 Physics
1(b)
and one of:
- 159.101 Programming
Fundamentals
- 158.100Computer
Applications in the Information Ag.
For the Nanoscience (Bionanoscience option) include
- 122.102 Biochemistry
of Cells
- 162.101 Biology
of Cells
- one other paper.
If you are not sure which option to take try
Second and third year
Required papers are:
- 236.201 Nanoscience
- 236.301 Advanced Nanoscience (first offered 2009)
- 236.302 Nanoscience Research Report (first offered 2009)
Topics covered include
- New phenomena at the nanoscale
- Materials science on the nanoscale
- Synthesizing, fabricating and characterizing nanoscale objects
- Nanostructures in biological systems
- Ethical and environmental aspects of nanoscale materials
- Quantum properties of nanoscale systems
- Scanning probe microscopy
- Nanotubes and quantum dots
- Applications - Fuel Cells, Energy Storage and Spintronics
Who can help me decide?
Contact Mark
Waterland for more information on this major.
If this is the degree for you, go to the enrolment page. |
"Quantum Corral"
Fe atoms on Cu surface.
Ripples inside the corral are electron waves.
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