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Nanoscience gets a major boost at Cusat

Staff Reporter

University introduces postgraduate programme on the subject this year

KOCHI : Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has plans to convert the newly-launched Centre for Nanoscience and Technology into a full-fledged department in 2008-09.

The centre has introduced a postgraduate programme (M.Sc.) in nanoscience and technology this year. Fifteen students will get admission for the programme. They will have to clear the Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by the university.

"There is good response for the M.Sc. programme. It is the first of its kind in the State," said Vice-Chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis. More than 50 students had applied for the programme after the university authorities issued a notification recently.

Several other students, who had applied for subjects like chemistry and physics, kept nanoscience and technology as second option.

Dr. Azis said the Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology would coordinate the activities of the centre. He said the centre would be developed into a full-fledged department in 2008-09.

Elaborating on Cusat's plans for promoting research in the field, Dr. Azis said the university entered into an agreement with Defence Research and Development Organisation for launching new academic programmes in nanoscience and technology.

Experts at the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) extended support for the programme. As part of setting up the centre, Cusat authorities initiated discussions with international experts in nanotechnology.

A proposal for opening a research centre in nanotechnology at the university evolved during the international symposium on `Frontiers in nanoscale science, technology and education' held here.

Internationally known nanotechnologist Pulickel M. Ajayan extended full support to Cusat for setting up the research centre.

Prof. Ajayan is a research professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

For starters, nanotechnology is the art of miniaturisation. It deals with matter at the nanoscale — a nanometre is one-billionth part of a metre.

By manipulating atoms at the nanoscale, scientists can create smaller, lighter and stronger materials with required properties. These materials could produce myriad things, including electronic goods.

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