Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences

Education objectives

Objectives

Nanotechnology and nanoscience are emerging scientific areas, whose main objective is the ability to control and to manipulate matter at nano-scale, which usually is between 1 and 100 nm (1 nm = 10-9 m). At this new "dimension", matter has completely different properties which will enable the understanding of new phenomena, as well as create new features that can be used in completely disruptive applications. As a summary form, we can say that nanotechnology and nanosciences act primarily in the areas of: nanoelectronics, nanobiotechnology and nanomaterials.

The PhD in Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences NOVA FCT aims to enable students with the necessary tools in the areas of nanotechnologies and nanosciences and their applications. This is achieved by the faculty responsible for this doctoral level, as well as through the research laboratories that support all the excellence of the pursuited research, which is internationally recognized.

This PhD aims to satisfy a critical need in the market in terms of engineering professionals and researchers specialized in an area of world wide recognition, considered central to the sustained development of knowledge-based industry and disruptive innovation. 

More information on current areas of research at the Materials Science Department, framed in this doctoral plan, can be found at:

• www.cenimat.fct.unl.pt
• www.i3n.org

In addition, the objectives of this study cycle are:

Promote the connection of Education to quality Research, typical of the so-called Schools of Graduate Studies.

Provide a solid and varied background in the field of nanotechnology and its applications which come from the Life Sciences, Information and Communication Technologies and Energy / Environment.

Form researchers with multidisciplinary scientific expertise and specific training in the area of entrepreneurship, capable of integrating in disruptive knowledge and innovative activities or, for themselves, promote the creation of small and medium-sized knowledge-based companies.

Beyond the objectives set for the Postgraduate Course 3rd Cycle in Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences, the objectives of the PhD in Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences are: contribute to the production of scientific knowledge on Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences, in collaboration with other internal or external scientific units the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, as in the case of scientific units of the Universities of Minho and Aveiro integrating the Associated Laboratory I3N, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication.

In addition to the primary objective, mentioned above, the doctoral program now proposed intends to respond to the need to have PhDs with multidisciplinary comprehensive training, able to operate in the areas of processing, functionality and design of new materials and their integration into systems and devices, beyond advancing the implementation of new techniques for processing materials, at macro and nano scales relevant to engineering.

In this context, it is central objectives of the 3rd cycle of studies leading to the degree of Doctor of Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences to ensure that a holder of this degree is equipped with following capabilities:

• Well grounded argumentation capacity in the most current scientific knowledge.
• Conscious attitude on issues of science and social ethics. 
• Proactive attitude in knowledge transfer from the laboratory to the industry.
• Good joint work group work / individual initiatives.
• Good planning, execution and experimental work analysis.
• Advanced knowledge in Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences.
• Like to keep updated about knowledge  frontiers.
• Implementation of innovative solutions to complex engineering problems.
• Integrated and critical vision of Nanotechnology and its aplications.
• Domain over methods and research capacity.
• Cultivate and promote the vocation of applied research associated with nanotechnologies.

PhDs in this area will have appropriate training (scientific and technical expertise) to continue their research or research and development in public and private institutions or to create their own businesses and act as technologies and processes promoters and makers of in the areas where disruptive Micro and Nano-technologies are crucial, such as biotechnology and information and communication technologies.

Career opportunities

Emerging markets associated with Micro and Nanotechnology where materials and devices integration processes are crucial, from which stand out:

Life Sciences;
Information and Communication Technologies;
Energy, Transportation, Environment and Renewable Energy Sources.