NANOSCIENCES AND NANOTECHNOLOGIES

Programme Description

Nanoscience is an emerging field, which researches the nature and the use of systems by using components of nanometre size. It comprises an assortment of scientific areas with potential applications in almost all branches of industry. The basic goal of nanoscience is to understand the structure and dynamics of materials at the atomic and molecular level on which their macroscopic properties are based. By understanding how to micromanipulate atoms and molecules it is possible to create new molecules, devices and machines with completely unique properties and applications. As examples, we can cite projects for building atomic size computer components on silicon chips, constructing new molecules that can sense particular viruses and bacteria, magnets at the level of molecules, micromotors, and molecules that can use sunlight to control environmental pollutants.

Credit Framework (ECTS)

Curriculum

Courses

BASIC OBJECTIVES

The basic objective of this programme is to qualify the candidate for:

A)  General competences

• ability for individual research work on the field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies,
  
• ability to research, select and organize information, as well as synthesize solution and anticipate their consequences,
• mastering of research methods, procedures and processes, development of critical and self-critical assessment,
• ability to use knowledge in practice,
• autonomy in professional work, as well as responsible and creative performance of activities,
• development of communication abilities and skills, particularly for communication in international environment,
• ethical reflection and commitment to professional ethics and regulations,
• cooperativeness, work on joint assignments and problems within a group and in international environment.

B)  Subject-specific competences

• knowing the basic laboratory and spectroscopic techniques in nanoscience and nanotechnology,
• understanding the systems at atomic and molecular scale,
• ability to combine various skills and knowledge to identify and analyze nanotechnological issues,
• ability to analyze ethical aspects of practices, institutions and valuations  associated with nanotechnology,
• continuing research & development work in the field of nanotechnology,
• knowing the concepts of nanotechnology,
• obtaining the basic natural-science and technical knowledge in the field of nanotechnology in the form of combining the existing solution.

RESEARCH AREAS

The Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Programme is a cross-disciplinary postgraduate study programme comprising the following research areas:

• Nanomaterials and nanochemistry,
• Nanophysics (including the physics of ultrathin layers, physics of nanotubes, physics of lateral nanostructures, physics of quantum dots, and methods for the analysis of nanostructures and the nanomanipulation of atoms and molecules),
• Biosciences,
• Advanced metalic materials,
  
• Nanomechanics (including the mechanics of time dependent materials).

All the courses include the provision of basic skills for successful communication with experts in the areas of economic and civil law, corporate microeconomics and project management, and the basics of sustainable development.

Special emphasis will be placed on research into:

• Nanocomposites and hybrid materials,
• "Smart" ceramic materials and thin films,
• Submicron fibres,
• Nanochemistry involving the synthesis of new molecules through the manipulation of individual atoms,
• Structural and molecular biology as prerequisites for utilizing knowledge of the human genome, understanding biological functions of particular proteins and the processes involving them,
• Biomaterials, particularly new types of agents and direct delivery of agents to the target sites,
• Molecular motors,
• "Smart" ferroelectrics and piezoelectrics,
• Organic and inorganic nanotubes, nanowires and quantum dots,
• "Smart" gels,
• Materials potentially usable for miniaturizing electronic components and elements for quantum computers,
• Materials usable for “spintronics” where spins are used instead of electrons to perform logic and other operations, and where a new degree of miniaturization is expected,
• New research techniques and methods to study the structure and dynamics of nanomaterials.

Similarly, there is a possibility for developing new areas in chemistry and pharmacy where new compounds are synthesized at the molecular level. The programme thus integrates a number of natural science and technical disciplines. Special emphasis is placed on the project-based research work of students, mentors and professors as an integral part of the study programme. Target knowledge and skills, which will be obtained by students in the areas of civil and commercial law, microeconomics, patent and intellectual property law, and the methods of raising "venture" capital, should enable the students, upon the completion of their studies, to better communicate with experts in these areas in order to develop and commercialize the results of nanotechnological research.