Flinders Focus on Nanotechnology

Welcome to the Flinders University Nanotechnology website.

Nanotechnology is often referred to as the next industrial revolution. This revolution will rely completely on the ability to make useful devices based on nanoscience advancements and which will occur at the interface between traditional discipline areas. The outcomes will be exciting since it will impact on every aspect of our lives from health to computing.

At Flinders University we are active in many different aspects of Nanotechnology - ranging from teaching to research.

Flinders University was the first university in the world to offer a degree in Nanotechnology, commencing a four year honours program in 2000. For more information about the degree, visit the Faculty of Science and Engineering course page.

Nanotechnology is taught at Flinders by a team of scientists who lead cutting edge research groups in the field of nanotechnology. These scientists receive many invitations each year to present talks at national and international conferences.

The nanotechnology group brings in several millions dollars per year in research funding. Additionally several of the members of the group are in involved in the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF) which has been funded to the tune of $ 49 million dollars over the next five years by both the commonwealth and state governments. Associate Professor Nico Voelcker recently received a Tall Poppy in Science Award as an outstanding young researcher in South Australia.

Some of the equipment at Flinders in the nanotechnology field is the best in Australia and as such allows very high level teaching and research programs.

Both Associate Professor Joe Shapter and Dr Jamie Quinton have received Flinders teaching awards for their work on the nanotechnology degree. Assoc Prof Shapter has also recently been awarded a Citation of Teaching from the Carrick Institute which is an Australia-wide award for his work in setting up the pioneering degree. The team at Flinders is in the process of setting up a new program for students funded by the state government which will see students placed in South Australian industries both for summer jobs and honours projects.

Research in Nanotechnology encompasses a range of projects, and is a direct reflection of the broad interdisciplinary fields that define Nanotechnology. These 'research themes' are focussed on the following areas:

• Biodevices

• Molecular Design

• Surface Imaging

• Material

For further details about any of the content appearing on this Nanotechnology site, please contact Associate Professor Joe Shapter.

Flinders University Nanotechnology Team Leaders

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