Study nanotechnology at Flinders

Be part of the exciting world of nanotechnology!

Bring together physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and materials science as you tackle the challenges of the future. With a degree in nanotechnology, you’ll develop an understanding of cutting-edge science and technology to launch you into your commercial career or step into research with creativity, innovation and big ideas.

Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology)

Master of Nanotechnology

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Nanotechnology)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is about being able to understand and manipulate materials (atoms and molecules) on the nanoscale—an extremely small length of measurement. A nanometre is one billionth of a metre. To get an idea of just how tiny a nanometre is, consider a single strand of human hair; it’s about 80,000-100,000 nanometres wide. Objects on the nanoscale are impossible to see with the naked eye, or even the types of microscopes used in high school science classes. When you can control materials at the nanoscale, you can enhance their strength, change colours by shifting the light, and improve durability. And since atoms make up everything on Earth—from the composition of our own bodies to the food we eat and the energy we consume—nanotechnology has huge implications for our future. It will leave few industries unchanged.

The field of nanotechnology is relatively new—about 40 years old. We are only beginning to see how much it can change the world. As a student of nanotechnology, you should be curious about the world, eager to learn new things, and unafraid to explore new ideas. You will be a pioneer in a world where nanotechnology is making vast strides.

What can nanotechnology do for the world?

Nanotechnology will change the world. Because there’s so much we don’t know, there is so much left to discover. As American physicist Richard Feynman explained in his speech of the same name: ‘There’s plenty of room at the bottom.’ Nanotechnology is sure to be the basis for countless breakthroughs across health and medicine, environment and water, energy, food and agriculture, engineering, technology and manufacturing. It has the potential to bring affordable, green, energy efficient and advanced technology to people around the world.

Nanotechnology can lead to:

developing alternative, green energy sources.
improving the products we use all the time: from light bulbs to computers.
cleaning up oil spills and stripping toxic metals from water.
turning saltwater into freshwater.
finding new medical treatments, tools and procedures that are more individualised, portable, cheaper and safer.
incorporating temperature control into clothing.
creating cosmetics that provide greater coverage, cleansing and protection.
making sporting equipment, like bicycle frames and tennis rackets, more lightweight and durable.
improving the taste and packaging of food.
developing electronics that exceed what is currently possible and are more environmentally friendly.

World-class teachers

Learn from passionate lecturers who are, themselves, doing cutting-edge research—like Dr Justin Chalker, who was awarded STEM 2018 Educator of the Year in the SA Science Excellence Awards. Our lecturers are chemists, physicists, biologists, medical professionals and engineers. Some focus on developing one expertise where their skills can really shine, and others prefer to draw on multiple disciplines in their daily work. We all strongly believe in collaboration, in sharing ideas and bringing different perspectives and ideas to a project. Our honours and PhD students find themselves working in diverse teams on interesting science, no matter where their interests lie.

We have the coolest equipment

The nanotechnology laboratories are home to some of the best equipment on campus. Much of it is custom designed and built by our expert researchers. Study nanotechnology at Flinders and you may find yourself using equipment that is one-of-a-kind anywhere in the world.

Step into a career

Graduates of nanotechnology are highly sought after in many industries, including health and medicine, forensics, environment and water, energy, food and agriculture, auto and aerospace, engineering, computing and technology, sport, and manufacturing. You might even pursue an athletics career through nanosoccer—played by ‘nanobots’ on a field no bigger than a grain of rice! Explore the potential of a commercial career in industry, or pursue your passions in research and academia. Many of our researchers and even PhD students have patents on new and exciting ideas, plans and research.

Whichever path you choose, a degree in nanotechnology will lead to a diverse and fascinating career.

Potential occupations include: