Nobel prize winner to launch online nanotechnology course

30 May 2006

A groundbreaking nanotechnology course is to be launched at Oxford University for professionals wanting to understand more about the 21st century science. The postgraduate part-time course will be delivered entirely online, with the programme drawing on the University’s world-class researchers working in this field.

Nanotechnology is of increasing interest to the materials and physical sciences industries. It is an area where very, very small structures play a critical role – the prefix ‘nano’ being derived from the Greek word ‘nanos’ meaning ‘dwarf’. The scale used is a ‘nanometre’, which is a billionth of a metre, or put another way 1/10 of the thickness of metal film on a packet of crisps; or 1/80,000 the diameter of an average human hair. Flexible LCD screens, more efficient fuel, glass that cleans itself, safe suncreams, tiny implanted battery-less blood pressure monitors, new concepts in the detection of molecules in blood to help medical diagnosis and stain-proof trousers are all examples of current or future applications of nanotechnology.

This programme results from the close collaboration between Oxford University’s Begbroke Science Park and the Department for Continuing Education to develop accredited course modules in nanotechnolgoy leading to a postgraduate certificate award. Students should have educational qualifications in a physical science discipline or demonstrable work experience in any of these areas. The course has three modules, all of which are available to study separately and a residential weekend in Oxford at the end of the formal study period. The Tutors will provide online support and replicate the tutorial system electronically.

Professor Sir Harry Kroto, a Nobel prize winner for Chemistry and world authority on nanotechnology based in Florida State University, is launching the course in Oxford on 2 June. He said: ‘On the horizon are numerous exciting possible applications in numerous diverse areas, ranging from civil engineering to advanced molecular electronics, so promising to transform our lives and global economics. We now know we should one day be able to build buildings so strong that they will not fall down in earthquakes; aeroplanes so light that they will be able to glide to safety if the engines fail; and surgical techniques that will enable us to carry out medical operations almost non-invasively.’

Professor Peter Dobson, from the Engineering Science Department, said: ‘Oxford is well placed to offer this unique opportunity to gain an understanding of the science and characterisation techniques that describe the behaviour of nano-scale process and structure. The University has a long-established and universally recognised reputation for nanotechnology research in several of its departments and interdisciplinary collaboration is embedded in the culture here. There are now several examples of spin-off companies that exploit nanotechnology. This research is backed by world-class researchers and equipment including an ultra-high resolution electron microscope, a web-based remotely operated scanning electron microscope and a suite of state-of-the-art micro and nano-analysis equipment operated by the Department of Materials at Begbroke.’

For more information, contact the University Press Office on 01865 280534 or press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

• The course has three modules, which are: ‘The Wider Context of Nanotechnology’ – an overview of the current state of the technology as well as the societal and environmental implications; ‘The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology’ – a more in-depth exploration of the science of nanotechnology and the mathematical foundation for these phenomena as well as their application; ‘The Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology’ – a study of the range of techniques and methodologies available to determine the nature and composition of nanoparticles, thin films and nano-structures.
• The workshop in residence will allow students to attend a two-day hands-on experience on the use of nanotechnologies. The workshop is taught through a blend of practical experiments, demonstrations and face-to-face lectures.
• Professor Sir Harry Kroto received a BSc (Chemistry, 1961) and a PhD (Molecular Spectroscopy, 1964) from the University of Sheffield. After Postdoctoral work at the National Research Council (Ottawa, Canada) and Bell Telephone Laboratories (Murray Hill, NJ USA) he started his academic career at the University of Sussex (Brighton) in 1967. He became a professor in 1985 and a Royal Society Research Professor in 1991. In 1996 he was knighted for his contributions to chemistry and later that year and received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for the discovery of C60 Buckminsterfullerene a new form of carbon. He is now based in Florida State University.
• The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Centre is an innovative and progressive unit within Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. The CPD Centre offers the highest quality of courses whilst providing the flexibility of part-time learning together with world-class postgraduate education and professional development. The CPD Centre offers a variety of workshops, seminars, short courses, certificates, diplomas and master’s degrees, as well as online courses across a wide range of disciplines. The CPD Centre works closely with the Oxford University Begbroke Science Park, which has a team of individuals whose role is to improve the effectiveness of knowledge and technology transfer between academica and business.