The study of nanoscience and nanotechnology examines basic and applied research at the micro and nano levels across a variety of disciplines including chemistry, biology, bioengineering, physics, electronics, clinical and medical science, chemical engineering, and materials science. These are the world’s top universities for nanoscience and nanotechnology.
10 Best Universities of World in Nanotechnology
Theoretical and experimental research in nanotechnology has now been broadly carried out at the world’s top universities. The academic journal Nature recently published a report rating the best universities for nanotechnology research outputs. Based on data collected from over 1000 academic institutions, here are some of the most respected and best universities for nanotechnology in the world:
Stanford University in the US
Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California, adjacent to Palo Alto and between San Jose and San Francisco. Stanford is known for its academic strength, wealth, proximity to Silicon Valley and ranking as one of the world’s top universities.
The university was founded in 1885 by Leland Stanford Sr., former Governor of California and leading railroad tycoon; his son, Leland Stanford Jr., who would die at age 16; Jane Lathrop Stanford; and their friend Frederick Terman (1891–1982), a professor of electrical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As a memorial to their son, they named the university after him: “Stanford” was his middle name from birth; he died of typhoid fever at age 15 while attending Mount Saint Mary’s College near Los Angeles.
The university opened in 1891 on October 1 on Hoover Street near San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park with two faculty members and eight students who were taught by professors using books from the local public library. The first class included Theodore Judah and Francis James (who later became governor). By this time all three founders had died: Jane Stanford contracted influenza during an outbreak that Fall—she died December 28—Lathrop Stanford died April 7 due to heart failure while traveling abroad—and Frederick Terman succumbed January 27 due financially-related issues caused by multiple sclerosis which made it difficult for him walk without assistance or even talk clearly at times when we did speak together many years ago when I visited MIT where he taught until 1949 before becoming dean there until 1952.”
Cambridge University in the UK
Cambridge University, located in Cambridge, England, is one of the oldest universities in the world. It consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the world by various ranking systems and has produced some of the world’s most successful scientists and entrepreneurs. In addition to its science departments (which include those for medicine and engineering), it also boasts a number of arts departments that make Cambridge a highly attractive option for students looking for an academic experience that combines learning with culture. The university has produced numerous Nobel Prize winners over its long history; these include famous names such as Francis Crick (co-discoverer of DNA), John Maynard Smith (theorist of evolution) and William Whewell (philosopher).
Oxford University in the UK
Oxford University is a world leader in materials research and nanotechnology, as well as a centre for many other areas of science. The university has a large nanotechnology research group which includes both academics and industry researchers. In fact, Oxford’s Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) is one of the largest materials labs in the UK.
The MRL has developed a number of products that are now being used around the world including:
- A new type of ceramic which can self-clean by reacting with water vapor from its surroundings
- A new way to make paper or cotton fibers stronger and more flexible so they don’t break when stretched
- A method for creating magnetic particles using carbon nanotubes instead of iron oxide nanoparticles
MIT in the US
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1861, MIT has a long history of academic excellence and research breakthroughs. It is one of the most prestigious universities worldwide. MIT is also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an association consisting of leading research universities in North America. The university’s alumni network includes many notable scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the world over time.
University of Michigan in the US
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was established in 1817 and has over 10,000 students and 1,800 faculty members. Approximately ⅔ of its funding comes from federal sources, as well as endowments and gifts from alumni. The school also houses one of the largest libraries in the world with more than twelve million books on site. It’s known for having an excellent undergraduate program that prepares students for graduate work at some of the best universities in America like Harvard University or Princeton University. Some notable alumni include PayPal founder Peter Thiel (1999) who went on to become one of Silicon Valley’s most influential investors while another famous alumna is actress Kate Hudson (1993).
Chinese Academy of Sciences in China
The Chinese Academy of Sciences is a comprehensive research institution that specializes in basic research and applied science. As one of the world’s top universities, it has consistently ranked among the top universities in China, Asia and the world overall.
The university of Texas at Austin in Texas
The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university in Austin, Texas. The university was founded in 1883 and has the main campus located on 1,435 acres along the Colorado River. UT Austin enrolls over 51,000 students and awards over 9,000 degrees per year.
The university offers bachelor’s degrees across 130 fields of study; master’s degrees across 97 fields; doctoral degrees across 50 fields; professional degree programs through its Graduate School; and law school program through its J.J. Pickle Research Campus (JPRC) located in northwest Austin near Lake Travis.
At UT Austin there are approximately 3 million experiments performed every year throughout its facilities including its Holistic Science Center for Optics Manufacturing that opened in 2008 as well as several nanotechnology research centers such as CRI NanoTech 2 Center where nano-scale quantum dots are being developed for use in medical devices like biosensors or drug-delivery devices
National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan
NCTU is a research university in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It was founded as the Railway Management Institute on 1 July 1908 and renamed as National Chiao Tung University in 1985. It is a member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU).
The university has 16 colleges and departments, with more than 50 research institutes and centers. The main campus occupies an area of 565 hectares (1,399 acres), including woodland that serves as a natural habitat for indigenous flora and fauna. It became one of four Taiwanese universities to be placed under the Ministry of Education’s “Project 211” plan in 1996.[2] NCTU offers bachelor’s degree programs through its 8 colleges: College of Engineering; College of Business Administration; College of Information Science & Engineering; College of Medicine; College of Humanities & Social Sciences; Graduate School; School Of Continuing Education And Lifelong Learning.[3] The school has been ranked among top engineering schools worldwide by various publications such as Times Higher Education World University Rankings[4], QS World University Rankings[5] or US News Best Global Universities [6].
Best universities for nanotechnology in the world
The 10 best universities for nanotechnology in the world are:
- University of California, Berkeley
- Harvard University
- Stanford University (file photo)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (file photo)
- Princeton University
- Brown University
- University of Pennsylvania (U Penn)
- Cornell University
Conclusion
Nanotechnology has been called the most exciting field of this century. It is a broad term that encompasses the science and engineering of nanoscale materials, from their study and development to practical applications in medicine and industry. In essence, they are man-made objects that possess properties that have never existed before in nature. While nanoscience is still very much an emerging discipline, there is already plenty of evidence showing just how much impact it could have on society over the next few decades
Shanghai Ranking Consultancy has ranked universities all over the world in the field of nanotechnology. Nanyang Technological University ranks first. There are four universities from the United States, three from China, Two from Singapore, and one from South Korea among the top 10 universities.
Universities and research centers are the beating heart of countries in the development of science and technology, and they are usually supported by the governments. Therefore, different rankings are presented by some organizations in order to introduce the top universities in the world in various fields.
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy is an individual organization in the evaluation of research, which ranks universities in the world since 2009. This organization has announced the top 300 universities in the field of nanotechnology in its newest ranking. Nanyang Technological University from Singapore ranks first by having 297.3 points. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Georgia Institute of Technology, University of California (Berkeley), and National University of Singapore rank second to fifth by having 270.6, 260.1, 258.9, and 255.7 points, respectively.
The interesting point is the presence of two Singaporean universities among the top 5 universities. The other three universities are from the United States. Tsinghua University and Peking University from China rank sixth and seventh, while Stanford University from the United States, University of Science and Technology of China, and Seoul National University from South Korea possess the next ranks.
Among the top 10 universities in the world, 4 universities are from the United States, 3 from China, 2 from Singapore, and one from South Korea. However, according to statistics on StatNano website, China and the United States possess the first and second ranks in the number of nanotechnology articles in 2016 by publishing 51668 and 24649 articles, respectively. The same trend is observed in 2017 and China has published nanotechnology articles about three times higher than the United States. However, 4 universities from the United States are on top of Chinese universities among the top 10 universities.
StatNano database also shows that Singapore ranked 19th in the publication of nanotechnology articles in 2016 by publishing 2381 papers. Singapore, however, has a higher tank in the number of citations to articles, and it stands above the United States and China. Shanghai Ranking Consultancy does not rank universities only according to the number of nanotechnology articles published by them. The number of citations to articles is another indicator effective in the ranking of this institute. International collaboration in the publication of articles has been taken into consideration in the ranking too. Publishing articles in the top journals has especial point in the ranking. Another indicator to evaluate universities is the number of members of each university who has acquired scientific awards. Therefore, it can be concluded that qualitative indicators have been taken into consideration in the ranking as well as quantitative indicators.
Top 5 Universities In The World To Study Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology has taken the scientific world by storm. A lot of us have heard about it in media but may not be really aware of what it is. So, let us give you a brief idea. It is a scientific field that is related to studying and developing things as small as atoms. Nanotechnology goes ‘nano’, quite literally and tries to study the minutest elements in the world and uses the knowledge in a real-time environment. The utility of nanotechnology has been found in environmental protection, the resolution of healthcare issues, and whatnot. There is a lot of scope in nanotechnology due to its mammoth potential to transform human lives – and you can study it in many universities across the globe. Talking about universities, there are quite a few of them that offer courses on nanotechnology. But, as the title suggests, we are going to stick to the best there are in town.
In case you want to explore nanotechnology and make a career out of it, then you should apply to these universities:
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
When it comes to science and technology, Nanyang Technological University has always been a notable institution. It is a highly prestigious university known for its immense research output and international partnerships. Presently, it is composed of many colleges such as the College of Engineering, and the Graduate College. To further quality research, it has been host to many self-governing research institutions such as the Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering and the National Institute of Education. You cannot fully understand science and technology unless you are in a place where research output is high and globally recognized. Over here, you shall not be disappointed. NTU has a very high number of research publications and citations. - Tsinghua University, China
The national pride of China, Tsinghua University is a high-powered, globally recognized research university that has made an unparalleled contribution to the field of science and technology. Consistently ranked number one in Asia and among the top 20 globally, it will be a fertile ground for you to nurture your interest in nanotechnology. So far as its academic organization is concerned, it has 20 colleges and more than 50 departments, offering courses in science, literature, law, and arts. When it comes to research, it receives support directly from the government and has participated in many national projects, particularly in the area of technology. Currently, it is an esteemed member of many leading groups such as the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. - Georgia Institute of Technology, the United States of America
Locally called Georgia Tech, Georgia Institute of Technology has always been highly ranked for its courses in science and technology. It is a public research university with many satellite campuses abroad. It has come a long way since its inception from a place to study just mechanical engineering and now offers a wide range of courses. There are 6 colleges and 31 departments in its academic structure. Its colleges include those of Computing, Design, Engineering, Sciences, and Business. It conducts Honours programs which are regarded as among the most selective in the country. Georgia Tech is a regular recipient of funds from government and corporations and conducts research in its well-renowned research institutes and centers. - Stanford University, the United States of America
Established in the year 1891, Stanford University is one of the most coveted universities in the country. It is a designated research university that has accomplished a very high status in terms of academic publications. With a strong academic curriculum, focus on extra-curricular activities, collaboration with industries, and an exceptional alumni base, it has rightly found a place among the best. There are 7 schools offering courses in a range of fields such as law, medicine, and science. Regardless of which stream you choose, you will end up getting exposed to an entrepreneurial environment that thrives within the university corridors. So, choose nanotechnology here and you shall have a bright future ahead! - Peking University, China
The final entrant on the list is a member of the coveted C9 League, Peking University. Founded way back in the year 1898, it is currently among the highest-ranked educational institutions in Asia and the world. China owes greatly to the innovativeness of the university as it has actively contributed to the Chinese’s success in science and technology. It has a large academic organization consisting of 30 schools and hundreds of programs, from undergraduate to doctoral levels. In terms of research, especially in the field of science and technology, it has outperformed many western counterparts. It also maintains research institutes such as the Institute of Social Survey and the Beijing International Centre for Mathematical Research.