The research oriented M.Tech. programme in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology was started in 2005 in the University Centre for Instrumentation Micro-electronics (UCIM). Being the first course of its kind in northern part of the country, it was a challenging job to have undertaken. In 2008 the course was placed under the newly formed Centre for Emerging Areas in Science and Technology (CEAST). Currently it is run by Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology under University Institute for Emerging Areas in Science and Technology and is hosted in Department of Physics of Panjab University.
The course is of 2 years duration and interdisciplinary in nature encompassing the areas of chemistry, physics, biology and engineering. It comprises of conceptual knowledge of nanoscience and nanotechnology, including preparation of nanomaterials, their characterisation and applications. Hands-on training is provided to the students at Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility (SAIF), formerly known as Research Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre (RSIC), Panjab University, Chandigarh on the various instruments relevant to nanotechnology (Mass Spectrometry, Electron Microscope (SEM, TEM, STM), FT NMR Spectrometer (400 MHz), FTIR/IR Spectrophotometer, UV-VIS-NIR Spectrophotometer, X-Ray Diffractometer (Powder Method), HPLC, Fluorescence Spectrophotometer). The final year students do their projects in collaboration with industry and reputed laboratories and institutions. The passing out students have found excellent employment/research positions.
The centre has close linkage with national scientific institutions in the country like NPL Delhi, IIT Ropar, CSIO Chandigarh, CSIR Delhi, NIPER Mohali and IHBT Palampur, etc. There have been regular interactions with the faculty from these organisations through visits and guest lectures.
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