Student's praise for Nanoscience and Technology at University of Glasgow
“A master’s in NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY has enabled me to assimilate in-depth knowledge in the areas of design, fabrication and evaluation of devices at micro and nano-scale” says NEHA SHARMA
The James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC) at the University of Glasgow holds a number of world records- none of which you’re likely to have heard of, or perhaps even comprehend. However, if you have an interest in nanotechnology then you would surely be impressed: world’s smallest electron beam lithiography pattern, first directed stem cell growth, and several others. There’s even the world’s smallest complete works of Robert Burns which measures an astonishing 0.3x 0.3 nm in size – small enough to fit 10 of them on a pin head!
On a more practical level, nanotechnology is increasingly becoming a part of our lives, whether we know it or not, as is found in everything from non-iron clothes to MP3 players. Biomedical applications, such as ‘lab-on-a-chip’ is also a growth area that interests me and will transform healthcare in the years to come.
So when I wanted to further build on my electronic engineering qualifications from the University of Delhi, where I have both studied and taught, I knew it had to be nanotechnology. So, I decided to pursue an ‘MSc in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology’ and since I had already imagined myself inside the JWNC – a fully-equipped laboratory with the latest technology and instruments – rounding off on University of Glasgow, UK, was easy.
And how prescient I turned out to be, for the course itself is fairly new and this year is actually the first time students have been allowed to use the facilities in the JWNC as part of our research projects.
As for the course, it has enabled me to assimilate in-depth knowledge in the areas of design, fabrication and evaluation of devices at micro and nano-scale. We also gather the latest insights from industry by inviting experts to lectures every week. Ofe of the most inspiring talks was by Professor Roger Appleby from the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology at Queen’s University, Belfast. He spoke about millimeter wave and terahertz technology for imaging applications in fields such as medicine and security: comparable to X-rays but without the damaging radiation.
Our professors motivate us to work with great passion and think beyond books, providing us with an enriching experience of both practical and theoretical knowledge. I feel I have already learned many of the skills coveted by the nanotechnology industry.
Scotland is a good place to study as it grooms you both intellectually and personally as, like India, it has a very rich culture, and the City of Glasgow itself is an interesting and beautiful place with friendly people.
The experience I’ve had has been so much more than I expected and I hope to take my new found knowledge back to India.
- As told to Poonam Jain in The Times of India (Education Times), Bangalore