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The concept Of Nanotechnology Originated in 1959 and was founded by
American physicist Richard P Feynmam. But the term ‘Nanotechnology’ was first used in 1974, by Japanese Scientist Prof Norio Taniguchi at the Tokyo Science University. However it was introduced to the world in 1986, by K Eric Drexler, an American Engineer and the founder of Foresight Nanotechnology Institute.
Nanotechnology is the science of the miniature, and the technology of the future. It is one of the most exciting and wide area of research which may lead to the greatest technological advances of the 21st century. It is a global phenomenon and an emerging field that finds its way into a myriad of industrial applications spanning across all areas of science, pharmacy, medical and technology. A Form of molecular engineering, it is the technology associated With the creation and scrutiny of minute objects, measuring between 1 to 100 nanometres. Nanotechnology can be defined as the application of science, Pharmacy, medical, engineering and technology to develop novel materials and devices in different fields in the nano range.
Nanotechnology is a unique and special branch of science that essentially combines physics, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy, Medical, Engineering etc. Sometimes known as molecular manufacturing, it deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter. The application of Nanotechnology opens new avenues of research in the world of science, pharmacy, medical and engineering in almost every field, from medicine to fabrics. Due to this, the relatively new field is fast emerging as the favourite of all kinds if technological arena and will be one of the most significant enabling technologies in the future.
‘Nano’ in Greek means dwarf. Nanometer (nm) is a unit of measurement used to measure small particles like atoms and molecules. One nanometer is equal to one-billionth (109) of a meter. Entirely different from bulk material, nano-materials are 5,000 to 50,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. These light but strong, transparent materials are very active and aggressive in any chemical reaction. Nano-materials can be mixed with strong or weak materials to make them thousand times stronger and more efficient. Carbon and diamond are super examples of nano-materials.
Even though the field is popular abroad, it is quite recently that Indian industries have started realizing the commercial viability of Nanotechnology. In India, Nanotechnology is at its infancy stage and is targeted towards the main streams like electronics, healthcare markets, and other industrial products. Many scientific institutions have been doing Research and Development (R&D) in this field. The scope and application of Nanotechnology is one of the hottest career option available to Indian Engineering, Pharmacy and Physics graduates. It is an apt career for those who have a scientific bent of mind and a passion for solving mysteries of the minutest molecules. Students with Science. Pharmacy and engineering background can pursue Nanotechnology as a career. Candidates with MTech/MS/MPharm in Nanotechnology are in great demand both in India and abroad.
In areas as diverse as designing medical diagnostic devices to building better batteries, from creating cosmetics to enhancing energy efficient windows, from auto and plane manufacturing to researching the nature of matter itself, from targeting the pharma molecule drug delivery to replacement therapy, from curing to eradicating disease, knowledge of nanoscale science, pharmacy and technology will be increasingly important during upcoming years and decades.
Current applications of Nanoscale Science, Pharmacy and Technology, and thus career opportunities, exist in areas such as;
- Pharmaceuticals including drug delivery, cosmetics, among others
- Biotechnology
- Medical fields Targeting a drug to a single malignant cell.
- Medicine: Diagnostics and Therapeutics ( eg, drug delivery )
- Food science including quality control and packaging
- Forensics
- Electronics/semiconductor industry
- Materials science including textiles polymers, packaging, among other
- Auto and aerospace industries
- Sports equipment
- Optoelectronics
- Energy: Capture, storage, and use; fuel cells, batteries
- Environmental remediation: in conjunction with GM microbes, Environmental monitoring control
- Robotics: Many uses
- Manufacturing: Self-assembly; “bottom-up” fabrication of novel materials
- Commerce: Radio Frequency Identification ( RFID ) “smart” tags
- Space exploration: Space elevator
- University and federal lab research
- National security
- Military
- And many more
Nanotechnology job projections are estimated to be nearly two million directly and additionally five million jobs indirectly, worldwide by 2015 thus, it is estimated that there will be no sector of industry which will not use Nanotechnology in future.