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  • Writer's pictureMichias

Career: Nanotechnology Engineer

Updated: Jan 22, 2019

Design and formulate advanced supplies and materials and turn them into unbelievable new and exciting creations to share the entire world... in the smallest scale!

Are you a critical thinker?

Do you enjoy solving complex problems that involve math and science?

Is exceptional attention to detail one of your many strengths?

Then a career as a nanotechnology engineers may be a profession you should definitely pursue!

What does a Nanotechnology Engineer do?

As a nanotechnology engineer, there are plenty of tasks and assignments. The expected previous study and certification from advanced physics, chemistry and electrical engineering enable the comfort and suitability in a wide range of environment. From, working with the

national defense on new exciting gadgets like various bullet-proof materials to creating the smallest yet powerful chip that can do as twice as much as any larger products on the market. A nanotechnology engineer builds the complex objects through the use of manipulations at the atomic and molecular level at the smallest possible scales. Specifically, 1e-9 m small. Nanotechnology engineer profession typically entails design plans, forming and executing prototypes in units of nanometers. From, building materials to automobiles and to even assisting mankind by testing harmful things and help enrich foods that we consume like food additives. As well as constructing materials for automotive and speakers. So in summary, nanotechnology engineers are extremely valuable since they can work in multiple diversified domains. Despite all these thrilling experiments and inventions, do come with a negative side. Research and paperwork are crucial in progressing or even commence your experiments. This is where your writing and reading skills will need to be up-to-par since the paperwork and research consumes a portion of your hours at work.

Here are more specific types of Nanotechnology Engineers fields "• Electronics/semiconductor industries • Materials science including textiles, polymers, packaging, among others • Auto and aerospace industries • Sporting goods • Biotechnology • Medical fields and pharmaceuticals • Environmental monitoring, control, and remediation • Food science including quality control and packaging • Forensics • University and federal lab research • Military and national security • Energy capture and storage"¹

What does Nanotechnology even mean?


Nano”- derives from the Latin word nānus which mean dwarf

Techno” comes from the Greek word téchnē which means art and skill

-logy” comes from the Ancient Greek word -λογία that means “the study of [a certain subject]”

"Engineer" comes from the Late Latin ingeniare which translates to "inventor, designer"

Comparative Examples

- A nanometer is a one-billionth of a meter

- A billion is a thousand times bigger than a million

- A strand of human DNA is 2.5 nanometers in diameter.

- A typical germ is about 1,000 nanometers

- A hair is about 100,000 nanometers wide. - One nanometer is about as long as your fingernail grows in one second

- An average 5'7 individual, is 1 737 360 000 nm tall

Here is a visual size comparison


Where did the Study of Nanotechnology Originate?

Richard Feynman

The origin of nanotechnology in fact dated back all the way to the 4th century in Rome. With the extremely limited resources, no one was much aware of the understanding of materials and used heat as a common source to manipulate materials. Jumping forward to the modern years, the real jump and recognition of the depth of unit measure came from a California Institute of Technology lecture in 1959 by well-renowned physicist Richard Feynman. Richard, who was later awarded as the father of nanotechnology, created a presentation called “There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" during the annual American Physical Society. In his lecture, Richard describes on his vision of the possibility to create smaller yet equally effective objects by manipulation.

Admission requirements

High School Courses (all must be in U or M level)
  • Advanced Functions

  • Calculus and Vectors

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • English (ENG4U)

  • Fundamentals of Engineering

*minimum final grade of 70% is required*

Post secondary

Best school in Canada for Nanotechnology Engineer Student

1. Waterloo


Free to check out their website specially focused on the career of a nanotechnology engineer and what it takes to be qualified. Best schools in the world (excluding Canada)

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) United States (Fig. 3)

Figure 3

2. Stanford University United States

3. University of California, Berkeley (UCB) United States

4. University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

5. Northwestern University, United States

6. Imperial College London, United Kingdom

7. National University of Singapore (NUS) (NUS)More Singapore


Salary

  • Average yearly salary of $81,540

  • Minimum Salary $62,070

  • Top 20% earn $126,990


Where Chemistry is present?

In the profession of nanotechnology engineer, chemistry is vital area in their daily work. Everyday, even the novice nanotechnology engineer execute basic principles of atomic and molecular structure when analyzing and completing research papers. Chemical bonding, thermochemistry, thermodynamics also make appearance in creating and constructing new materials and ideas. Acids and bases, kinetics, solubility equilibrium, and solutions assist in determining various behaviors in order to make some modifications before releasing the product for evaluations or even to the public.

The Future of Nanotechnology

The growth of demand in nanotechnology has been something much more than impressive. (fig.4)

Figure 4

The utilization of these small effective gadgets are becoming the very common in a lot of essential businesses, especially medicine. Specialists in the nanotechnology domain, like nanotechnology engineers, who have built devices and mechanisms that have helped doctors in curing diseases immensely. Cancer treatment like radiation therapy require precision in order to accurately kill only the cancerous cells. And their precision comes from the help of nanotechnology devices.

Figure 5(on the left) & Figure 6 (on the right)

Also industries like sports have started to incorporate these nano materials and equipment. It is evident in Roger Federer 's tennis racket that contains durable silica nano-particles (fig. 5) and former road bicycle racer, Oscar Pereiro who loved riding on bikes that contained carbon nano-tubes (fig. 6).

My Reflection

Throughout, my exploration of the nanotechnology has amazed me. Their unacknowledged impact in our daily life is quite startling. Manipulating atoms in the smallest scale is something that seems so far out of my likability, but during my empirical investigation, the impact, and benefits of nanotechnology engineers have been extraordinary. I have always envisioned myself to pursue an occupation in as an engineer. My interests have been primarily in mechanical or civil engineer domain, so I enjoyed reading and learning about this different engineering profession. Although, I will say, much of my sources have notably reiterated that there is a lot of paperwork. I would speculate that people find that a real dilemma. I guess that when looking at what they do or possibly can do with the resource in this job, some people can factor out the boring monotonous paperwork and take nanotechnology engineering as a career. The fact that they also get to be the reason to why people are surviving illnesses and are living a healthier life most feel wonderful. It seems to me that nanotechnology engineers will be capable of ending mankind’s toughest challenge: poverty. The nanotechnologies they can release to the public will help bring cleaner water and food to everyone without our constant assistance. With what these brilliant engineers have done recently with medical issues like ALS and cancer, I believe that they can cure children and kids to subsequently give everyone a bearable chance to flourish in life.

What industries do you believe will impact the most from the work of nanotechnology? Defend your position. Also is the influence of nanotechnologies solely positive? Explain why or why not.


Sources

Smarter self-assembly opens new pathways for nanotechnology. (2015-01-02). Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2016-08-smarter-self-assembly-pathways-nanotechnology.html

Chemistry and Biochemistry Program | Yeshiva College. (2011-09-03). Retrieved from https://www.yu.edu/yeshiva-college/ug/chemistry

¹Advancing Nanotechnology. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://engineering.uci.edu/image/2009/3/advancing-nanotechnology ¹

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology. (2000-07-31). Retrieved from https://techfoin.blogspot.com/2016/07/massachusetts-institute-of-technology.html

Gaille, Brandon. (2015-06-06). 8 Nanotechnology Pros and Cons. Retrieved from https://brandongaille.com/8-nanotechnology-pros-and-cons/

Nanowerk. (2013-05-27). Retrieved from https://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=30661.php

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologist Salary in Canada. (2000-10-09). Retreived from https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/nanotechnology-engineering-technologist/canada

Online Human Resources (HR) Software made easy with EffortlessHR. (2007-05-18). Retrieved from https://www.effortlesshr.com/job-descriptions/nanotechnology-engineering-technologists-17-3029.11/

50 Years Later, Still Plenty of Room at the Bottom. (2015-10-03). Retrieved from https://ww2.kqed.org/quest/2009/11/02/50-years-later-still-plenty-of-room-at-the-bottom/

What is Nanotechnology.(1995-05-13). Retrieved from https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition

5 institutions in Canada | offering Nanotechnology courses. (2010-07-24). Retrieved from https://www.hotcoursesabroad.com/study/training-degrees/canada/nanotechnology-courses/loc/32/cgory/xa.34-4/sin/ct/programs.html

Nanotechnologist.(2017-11-21). Retrieved from https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/nanotechnologist

Nanotechnology Engineer. (2009-02-24). Retrieved from https://www.sokanu.com/careers/nanotechnology-engineer/#videos

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015 - Materials Science. (2016-11-22). Retrieved from https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2015/materials-sciences

How Will Nanotechnology Revolutionize Medicine? (2015-06-23). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wQxCjCxCiE

NanoTechnology and the Fight. (2015-08-23). Retrieved from https://www.directionsmag.com/article/3719


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