DUBLIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY:There are exciting developments at colleges that have invested in teaching students about nanoscience and nanotechnology
NANOTECHNOLOGY IS the relatively new science and engineering of nanometre scale objects. The word nano is derived from the greek for “dwarf” and means one billionth: one nanometre is one billionth of a metre. Nanotechnology, therefore, refers to the science or technology of objects with features of 100 nanometres or less and encompasses aspects of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, biology and medicine.
It allows for the creation and manipulation of materials and devices of precise size, shape and properties. The ability to make or alter nano-sized structures has the potential to enable the development of improved products with valuable industrial applications.
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) launched Ireland’s first degree programme in this area in 2006. The BSc in science with nanotechnology was developed out of research expertise in the school of physics, the school of chemical and pharmaceutical sciences and DIT’s Focas Research Institute. Today, DIT provides professional, career-focused learning and discovery in nanoscience and nanotechnology across the spectrum, from undergraduate programmes to innovative products.
Sean Dorgan, the chairman of NanoNet Ireland, which brings together the key stakeholders in developing the discipline here, explains what’s so special about nanotechnology and DIT’s role in it. “When the dimensions of a material become this small, the material can behave in unusual ways. Scientists and engineers can make use of this behaviour in the fabrication of new and exciting electronic devices, medicines and biotechnologies, strong materials and coatings, to name but a few.
“It is vital that Ireland develop and can showcase this capability. As chair of the DIT governing body, I am glad to be able to say the institute has made a great contribution in this regard, from undergraduate degree programmes to actual product development.”
The specialist aspects of the degree programme are evolving constantly in response to the changing research and technology environment in the nanosciences.
“When DIT launched the degree programme in 2006, it was seen as an innovative and courageous development, now it seems like an obvious thing to do,” says Dr John Doran, head of the school of physics, who led the development of the degree programme. “It was reviewed last year and new modules in entrepreneurship, innovation, commercialisation of intellectual property and transfer of technology from research to industry have been introduced.”
Dr Declan McCormack, head of the school of chemical and pharmaceutical sciences, adds: “This degree programme has attracted excellent students who have demonstrated a first-rate performance on industrial and research placements in Ireland, France, Canada and the US. It has evolved further since its original development and now includes significant additional modules in which our staff have considerable experience.”
A considerable amount of the research in nanoscience and nanotechnology at DIT is carried out in the Focas Research Institute. Researchers at Nanolab in the institute have unparalleled expertise in state-of-the-art nano-material characterisation and the analysis of the interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems.
They explore standards and methods for the characterisation of nanomaterials with respect to physical, chemical and biological properties including the toxicity and biocompatibility of a variety of nanomaterials such as carbonaceous, polymeric, metallic and composite nano-material systems.
Nanolab is also active in promoting awareness of the impact of nanotechnology through national and international workshops as well as in pedagogical research for the advancement of education in nanosciences. “Significant recent advances in the ability to create, manipulate and understand structures on a nanoscale has lead to a flurry of activity in the field internationally,” explains Prof Hugh Byrne, head of the Focas Research Institute. “The Focas Research Institute provides state-of-the-art instrumentation to visualise and analyse such nanostructures, supporting a continuum of activities in research training, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as technological development and industry support. The activities and expertise are incorporated in the national nanoscience platform ‘Inspire’, several EU networks and have advised national governmental agencies such as the Health and Safety Authority and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.”
Nanotechnology also plays a significant role in the DIT’s Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (Crest) Centre, the only such dedicated laboratory in Ireland. It exists to translate in-house knowledge from the bench-top to the market. Crest recruits, trains and supervises scientists from undergraduate to postgraduate level.
In December, Crest launched a spin-out company, Radical Coatings, to develop, manufacture and sell coatings and additives based on nano-structured materials and patented technology. Radical offers a unique coating that can transform products to become self-cleaning and antimicrobial. Indoor light and moisture from the air are all that is needed for the anti-bacterial reaction to take place. The Radical solution is environmentally friendly and lasts for years.
“Radical has attracted significant attention and the EU Cost Action Office has asked if Crest and Radical could be used as a case study for its 40th anniversary conference in Parliament Buildings this year,” says Dr John Colreavy, director of Crest.
With a ground-breaking degree programme and innovative products already being brought to the market, DIT is certainly making its contribution to the development of nanotechnology in Ireland.
