On 3rd April 2021 Russian New University (RosNOU) arranged a series of lectures for school students in the frames of the University Saturdays project. The lectures were dedicated to such topics as:
The topic of nanotechnology aroused great interest among the university’s guests. The field of study “Nanoengineering” at the Russian New University is represented at the Institute of Information Systems and Computer Engineering Technologies.
The lecture on nanomaterial technologies was delivered by RosNOU’s Head of Nanomaterial Technology Chair, Candidate of Chemical Sciences Lyudmila K. Zhigunova and Head of the laboratory of methods for diagnostics of nanoparticles, composite materials and physical and technical measurements Vadim A. Vagapov.
RosNOU’s Student Media Center E-NOTE interviewed Mr. Vagapov on the prospects of the field of study for future students.
Humankind started using nanotechnology long before such a notion appeared. It was used in metal manufacture and even in cooking (baked goods, smoke-curing). However intentional development of nanotechnology has begun only now, with the appearance of modern equipment and research methods.
Today nanotechnology is a direction for social development that has great potential.
With the use of nanotubes (a type of nanomaterials), one can modify cells and their properties. Nanotubes can be used as capsules to transport medicine to the disordered organ, create components for nanoelectronics and photonics. If the concrete’s composition contains nanotubes, it allows to significantly reduce production costs.
There is a wide variety of nanotubes in the world; each manufacturer has their own nanotubes with unique properties. RosNOU scientists have developed a special thermo-catalytic method for making Dealtom nanotubes. The modes are chosen the way that our nanotubes turn out to be without other forms of carbon such as soot – just pure nanotubes. One of their unique properties is that the paints and varnishes modified by the nanotubes have very high adhesion.
Apart from that, RosNOU’s nanotubes are inexpensive and high quality.
Firstly, nanotechnology is interesting, secondly, it is perspective, and thirdly, it leaves a lot of room for creativity. Even when new technology arrives, the acquired knowledge base will help you to get a grasp on the novelties and find work to your liking.
At RosNOU, the educational process in the field of study “Nanoengineering” is fine-tuned, and the university’s laboratory facilities have not only the Center of Nanotechnology, manufacture of multilayer carbon nanotubes but also several training laboratories.
Several years ago, there were very few manufactures that enhanced their products with the use of nanotechnology. This was considered more of a fashion than anything else. Now, the number of such manufactures is growing every year.
Manufacturing transition to a new format is always a difficult process. Replacing mature technology is very expensive as it is necessary to do scientific research first and there are no guarantees that its result will be satisfying. And instead of producing products and getting a profit, the manufacturer spends resources to develop technology and carry out experimental and design works.
That is why there is a demand for specialists who know ins and outs, who know certain techniques: what and how you need to measure, what research you need to do to understand what has happened, why something has failed or why, on the contrary, it worked out.
In the future, there will be a great demand for nanotechnologists in different areas. And these areas will be numerous.
Elena Vagapova, Student Media Center E-NOTE
