Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is essentially the study of the small. So small that even the microscopic is a thousand times bigger. To bring it into perspective, a single strand of hair is about 80,000 nanometers wide. At scales this tiny, materials behave very differently from how classical science would suggest, taking on properties that one wouldn’t expect. Nonetheless, via this science, the mechanisations and manoeuvrability of these hidden particles become apparent, and students gain a deeper understanding of our capacity to modify and influence the world at these incredibly tiny scales. Nanotechnology has applications in many practical fields, ranging from agriculture to natural resource management and medicine, to name but a few. Nanotechnology courses in India can be found mostly at the post-graduate level, and include a good grounding in communication and a generous amount of lab and field work along with the usual topics under this stream. “Nanotechnology is the fastest growing sector of science and industry. It has applications in every field of human imagination such as health, agriculture, electronics, textile, paints, defence and space materials,” says Lalit M. Bharadwaj, Director, Amity Institute of Nanotechnology. India is one of the frontrunners of research in nanotechnology and we have a lot to gain from it. Although we’re leading contenders and heavy investors in research, we have lagged behind in implementation. The reasons for this range from worries about environmental risks and the potential danger to humans, not to mention concerns over the use of this science to create use in weapons of war. Nonetheless, this field of study is both fascinating and valuable for students and universities alike.