Nanosystems Engineers

Write proposals to secure external funding or to partner with other companies.

Synthesize, process, or characterize nanomaterials, using advanced tools or techniques.

Supervise technologists or technicians engaged in nanotechnology research or production.

Prepare reports, deliver presentations, or participate in program review activities to communicate engineering results or recommendations.

Provide scientific or technical guidance or expertise to scientists, engineers, technologists, technicians, or others, using knowledge of chemical, analytical, or biological processes as applied to micro and nanoscale systems.

Conduct research related to a range of nanotechnology topics, such as packaging, heat transfer, fluorescence detection, nanoparticle dispersion, hybrid systems, liquid systems, nanocomposites, nanofabrication, optoelectronics, or nanolithography.

Identify new applications for existing nanotechnologies.

Design or conduct tests of new nanotechnology products, processes, or systems.

Develop processes or identify equipment needed for pilot or commercial nanoscale scale production.

Generate high-resolution images or measure force-distance curves, using techniques such as atomic force microscopy.

Design nano-enabled products with reduced toxicity, increased durability, or improved energy efficiency.

Provide technical guidance or support to customers on topics such as nanosystem start-up, maintenance, or use.

Prepare nanotechnology-related invention disclosures or patent applications.

Engineer production processes for specific nanotechnology applications, such as electroplating, nanofabrication, or epoxy.

Coordinate or supervise the work of suppliers or vendors in the designing, building, or testing of nanosystem devices, such as lenses or probes.

Design or engineer nanomaterials, nanodevices, nano-enabled products, or nanosystems, using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Develop catalysis or other green chemistry methods to synthesize nanomaterials, such as nanotubes, nanocrystals, nanorods, or nanowires.

Apply nanotechnology to improve the performance or reduce the environmental impact of energy products, such as fuel cells or solar cells.

Create designs or prototypes for nanosystem applications, such as biomedical delivery systems or atomic force microscopes.

Design nanosystems with components such as nanocatalysts or nanofiltration devices to clean specific pollutants from hazardous waste sites.

Design nano-based manufacturing processes to minimize water, chemical, or energy use, as well as to reduce waste production.

Design nanoparticle catalysts to detect or remove chemical or other pollutants from water, soil, or air.

Reengineer nanomaterials to improve biodegradability.

Integrate nanotechnology with antimicrobial properties into products, such as household or medical appliances, to reduce the development of bacteria or other microbes.

Develop green building nanocoatings, such as self-cleaning, anti-stain, depolluting, anti-fogging, anti-icing, antimicrobial, moisture-resistant, or ultraviolet protectant coatings.