Nano technology - something for the future or just a hype?

[kasse]

Is it wise to go for an education in nano technology, or is it just a big hype? Nano technology is often divided into bio nanotechnology, nano electronics and nano material technology. Which one would you go for?

 

[Hippo]

Is this Hype to you?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/10/17/buckypaper.invention.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch

http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/science/09-08Nanoships.asp

http://www.dailytech.com/Carbon+Nan...r+Flexible+Displays+Circuits/article12492.htm


One of many and I mean MANY new developments in Nanotechnology.

 

[kasse]

I want to go to the USA for exchange one year. Any suggestions when it comes to universities that are good at nanotech?

 

[Vanadium 50]

Is it wise to go for an education in nano technology, or is it just a big hype? Nano technology is often divided into bio nanotechnology, nano electronics and nano material technology. Which one would you go for?

The second half of your message sounds like you have already made up your mind about the first half.

 

[Fearless]

Nanotechnology is here to stay, it's just a fleeting soup of biology, chemistry and physics coming together. Some would say that it is physics maturing and becoming really useful to humanity. Other would say that nanotechnology is more dangerous than strangelets from the LHC.

I for one will take the master in nanotechnology. But it will be coupled with a lot of physics. Now I don't know what angle you will do nano from, but I suppose it's from at least a physical chemistry-angle. biotech-people doing nano makes me sick.

Then you probably will know that you will have to wade through most of the really gritty physics there is, a phd-course in condensed matter physics, probably one in non-relativistic quantum mechanics, and if you are really good, probably some QFT too.

But I wouldn't recommend nanotechnology if you are not inclined to either one of these two, computational physics or experimental physics.

What kind of field you should go into? hmm, tricky one. I would say it depends on what country you are going to work aso in. Like in some parts of europe it would be smarter to take a biophysics-nano-msc, because they have a large industry which are a bit needy for biophysicsts.

While other countries with a large steel-industry for example would be in need of material-nanotechnologists.

It's all about competetive awareness.

 

[kasse]

The second half of your message sounds like you have already made up your mind about the first half.

I did.

 

[jhicks]

I find physics to be most important at least when looking at fundamental nanotech research. You don't necessarily have to major in physics, but most of the work I see done is lead by condensed matter physicists. My area of interest is a bit away from the "applied" stuff though.