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Industry across Europe is predicting a big shortage of graduates with knowledge of nanotechnology in the near future.

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is so new, no one is really sure what will come of it. Even so, predictions range from the ability to reproduce things like diamonds and food to the world being devoured by self-replicating nanorobots.

In its original sense, 'nanotechnology' refers to the projected ability to construct items from the bottom up, using techniques and tools being developed today to make complete, high performance products.

It's the study of the very small - things at the nanometer (one thousandth millionth of a metre) scale. This is the scale of large molecules - molecular chains (like plastics), proteins (from biology), nano-crystals.

Triggering change

Nanotechnology is not confined to one area of activity. Many technologies in the past would affect mainly one discipline (such as mechanical engineering) or one industrial sector (such as the pharmaceutical industry). But nanotechnology will bring ripples of change across many disciplines and sectors.

It is an "enabling" or horizontal technology. That means a single nanotechnology product may be a building block in several other products, across many industrial sectors.

The industries most affected by nanotechnology include ones on which Ireland relies heavily, such as:

- Information and communication technologies (ICT)

- Chemicals

- Pharmaceuticals

- Medical devices

To safeguard our economy, companies need to gain from rather than miss out on nanotechnology-related innovation.

Education

Nanoscience and nanotechnology are built upon chemistry and physics. This degree is a solid science degree (physics and chemistry) but with a unique focus on nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Career Opportunities

Many industries use nanotechnology: semiconductors and electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, food, agriculture, and more. Industry across Europe is predicting a big shortage of graduates with knowledge of nanotechnology in the near future.

There's a wide range of careers for chemistry and physics graduates, many of them using the methodology of physics and chemistry: technical know-how, the logical approach, problem-solving skills.

Physics graduates work in physics-based industries such as the critical and growing areas of medical physics, bioengineering and medical devices, and also the electronics industry, alternative energy development and telecommunications.

Many chemistry graduates work in the very large Irish pharmaceuticals industry. Graduates of this degree are unique - they will have the skills and knowledge of both physicists and chemists, as well as nanoscience and nanotechnology.

For more information on educational requirements visit http://www.dit.ie/DIT/study/undergraduate/programmes08/dt227.html

Individuals with a background in nanotechnology are employable in a variety of sectors. Jobs exist in industries ranging from aerospace to education to medicine and electronics.

For more employment information visit www.workingin-nanotechnology.com