Nanotechnology applications

Introduction to select applications within nanotechnology, covering both electronics, materials and biology, illustrated with original scientific litterature. Introduction to experimental techniques that can be used to study nanoscale materials and phenomena. Introduction and practical use of electronic circuit elements and data processing; commercialization of nanotechnology; introduction to ethical issues related to nanotechnology.

An important part of the course is a laboratory based group project, where the students will assemble electronic components which will then be used to measure properties relevant to nanotechnology. These measurements will then be verified using one of the instruments at NTNU NanoLab.

This course is part of the engineering ladder in Nanotechnology.

Knowledge

The candidate should have knowledge of:

• Describe the operating principles and functions of selected applications within nanotechnology.
• Describe processes, components, or systems that address societal challenges in areas such as health, safety, and energy.
• Describe the historical perspective on key discoveries that led to the establishment of nanotechnology as a research field, and explain the motivation behind the research.
• Describe how interactions between photons and electrons with materials can be used to characterize nanostructures.
• Gather relevant information from various sources, and critically assess credibility and reliability based on professional insight and an understanding of how the information is generated, processed, and communicated.
• Reflect on the ethical and societal consequences of implementing nanotechnological solutions, and contribute to responsible innovation that promotes health, fair resource distribution, and long-term societal benefit.

Skills

The candidate should be able to:

• Assemble electronic components to create systems for measuring relevant properties.
• Simple programming of Arduino-based microcontroller.
• Handle, analyse and visualize experimental data in a traceable manner.
• Set up and use a development environment for scientific Python.
• Suggest methods and experimental techniques which can be used to study materials and phenomena at the nanoscale.
• Write a simple project report in collaboration with other students.

Generell kompetanse

The candidate must be able to:

• Describe ethical dilemmas in nanotechnology.
• Communicate effectively about nanotechnology to fellow students and society.
• Work together to solve tasks; find and read scientific literature, store bibliographic information and refer to scientific literature in reports and presentations.

Project based course with lectures, mandatory exercises, laboratory exercises and groupwork. Expected workload in the course is 225 hours.