Major: Nanotechnology
NASA
Think small, very small. A nanometer is only one billionth of a meter, but hidden in such a tiny unit is big potential. As you'll learn if you choose this major, materials and machines built at the nanoscale behave in unexpected ways. Because of this, the possibilities for innovation are endless: Researchers are working on nanomaterials that can repair themselves. And doctors might someday install nanoscale machines in patients’ bodies that help them see, move, and heal.
Nanotechnology may be at the cutting edge of science, but Mother Nature has been working at the nanoscale for billions of years. Tiny biological "machines" keep living things alive. For example, molecular motors within cells help you flex your muscles and help plants convert sunlight into energy.
Nanotechnology majors study the behavior and manipulation of materials at the atomic and molecular level. They go on to assist engineers and scientists in research and manufacturing.
Did You Know?
- A strand of hair can be as much as 180,000 nanometers thick.
Are You Ready To...?
- Master concepts in physics, chemistry, and biology
- Explore the special properties and surprising behavior of nanoscale materials
- Practice the scientific method and design experiments
- Test and measure materials at the nanoscale
- Operate atomic force microscopes and other high-tech equipment
- Work with a team to design and build a nanodevice
- Learn the ins and outs of the "clean room"
- Get hands-on experience with nanoscale manufacturing techniques
- Maintain and repair equipment
It Helps to Be...
Curious and imaginative with a scientific frame of mind and a great deal of patience: the nanotechnology revolution will be fueled by years of painstaking research.
College Checklist
- Will the program prepare you for transfer to a bachelor's degree program in a related major?
- Does the program emphasize manufacturing, scientific research, or both?
- Does the program focus on a particular area of application, such as electronics or biotechnology?
- Will you have access to state-of-the-art labs and equipment?
- Will you spend your last semester on the campus of a four-year university?
Did You Know?
- Nanotechnology has already revolutionized computing, making possible smaller, faster, more powerful devices.
Course Spotlight
What's the difference between a nanotube and a nanorod? How does carbon behave at the nanoscale? What makes certain nanomaterials useful in electronic devices while others might someday cure disease?
When you take a class on nanomaterials, you'll investigate their special properties. You'll learn how to measure and test them to find out, for example, how well they conduct electricity. You'll study both inorganic and organic materials and look at the interactions between them. And you'll learn how nanomaterials are built. If there's a lab component, you'll also get to use high-tech tools like the scanning electron microscope.
