If one were to ask random people to identify the most pressing present and future global challenges with potential technological fixes, the list might include cheap and clean energy, increased demand for potable water, reduced environmental pollution, world hunger, national security, and cures for diseases such as cancer. There is one field of research which promises to develop solutions for all the aforementioned challenges. That field is nanotechnology. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to major breakthroughs and practical applications in the field of nanotechnology. The exploitation of novel properties and phenomena developed at the nanoscale can be referred to as nanotechnology. The technology has many applications, including nanostructured catalysts, biodetectors, advanced drug-delivery systems, data storage layers and system-on-chip electronics. |