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NEST - Tracks
Materials Science and Engineering:
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering to design, develop, and optimize materials with specific properties for various applications. It plays a crucial role in almost every industry, from electronics to aerospace, automotive, and healthcare.
Advanced Structural Materials:
Advanced Structural Materials (ASMs) are engineered to meet demanding mechanical, thermal, and environmental conditions in high-performance applications. They are commonly used in industries like aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, and energy, where strength, durability, and lightweight properties are essential. ASMs often surpass traditional materials like metals, polymers, and ceramics in terms of performance, offering enhanced properties tailored for specific uses.
Magnetic Nanotechnology:
Magnetic Nanotechnology focuses on magnetic materials at the nanoscale (less than 100 nanometers), where unique properties emerge due to size reduction and increased surface area. This field impacts various industries, including electronics, medicine, energy, and data storage, by enabling advancements in areas such as data storage, targeted drug delivery, and high-efficiency energy systems.
Ceramics, Polymers, and Composite Materials:
Ceramics, Polymers, and Composite Materials each have distinct properties and applications, Inorganic, non-metallic materials with high hardness, high melting points, and wear resistance. Used in aerospace, cutting tools, medical implants, and electronics (e.g., capacitors).Flexible, lightweight materials made of long molecular chains. Available as thermoplastics or thermosets.
Materials in Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering:
Materials in Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering focus on developing materials that can withstand the extreme conditions in nuclear reactors, such as high radiation, temperature, and chemical environments. These materials are essential for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and longevity of reactors, including fuel materials, structural alloys, neutron moderators, and coolants.
3D Printing Technology:
3D Printing Technology, or Additive Manufacturing (AM), creates three-dimensional objects by adding material layer by layer from digital models. Unlike traditional manufacturing, which removes material, 3D printing deposits material precisely, allowing for complex shapes with high accuracy and minimal waste. This technology enables rapid prototyping, customization, and efficient production in various industries.
Emerging Smart Materials and Meta Materials:
Emerging Smart Materials and Metamaterials are cutting-edge materials with unique properties that respond dynamically to external stimuli or exhibit extraordinary characteristics not found in naturally occurring materials. Smart materials can change their properties (such as shape, color, or stiffness) in response to external factors like temperature, pressure, electric fields, or magnetic fields.
Nanotechnology in Materials Science:
Nanotechnology in materials science involves manipulating materials at the nanoscale (1-100 nm), enabling the creation of materials with unique properties not found in bulk. This includes enhanced strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties, as well as increased surface area for catalysis. Nanomaterials are used in applications such as lightweight composites, energy storage, and sensors. Additionally, they enable the development of smart materials that respond to external stimuli, revolutionizing industries like electronics, medicine, and environmental science.
Materials in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering:
Materials in aerospace and mechanical engineering are essential for the performance, safety, and efficiency of components. Aerospace materials must endure extreme conditions like high speeds, temperature fluctuations, and pressure changes. In contrast, mechanical engineering prioritizes materials that provide strength, durability, and flexibility for various machines and structures. Both fields require advanced materials to withstand stress, heat, and chemical exposure, driving continuous innovation in material development.
AI in Nanotechnology:
AI in nanotechnology enhances the design, fabrication, and analysis of nanomaterials. Machine learning predicts material properties at the nanoscale, speeding up the discovery of new materials. AI optimizes nanofabrication techniques, improving precision in manufacturing. It also aids in modelling complex nanostructures through simulations, reducing the need for physical testing. Together, AI and nanotechnology are driving advancements in areas like drug delivery, electronics, and energy storage.
Semiconductors and Superconductors:
Semiconductors and superconductors are both vital in electronics but have distinct properties semiconductors (e.g., silicon, germanium) have electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators. Superconductors, on the other hand, exhibit zero electrical resistance below a critical temperature, allowing them to carry current without energy loss.
Polymer Science and Technology:
Polymer Science and Technology focuses on the study and application of polymers—large molecules made of repeating units. It covers the synthesis, processing, properties, and performance of polymers, which are crucial in various industries. This field drives innovations in materials, with applications spanning automotive, healthcare, packaging, and electronics. It plays a key role in developing new materials with enhanced properties for a wide range of uses.
Dielectric Materials Are Electronic Devices:
Dielectric materials are Electronic devices substances that store electrical energy when exposed to an electric field, with high electrical resistance. They are used in capacitors, electrical cable insulation, and to improve the performance of electronic components. Electronic devices are systems that use electrical energy to perform specific functions, relying on components like transistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits to process, store, or transmit electrical signals.
Biomaterials:
Biomaterials are materials designed to interact with biological systems for medical and health-related applications. They can be natural or synthetic and are used to replace, repair, or augment tissues and organs. Common types include metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. Biomaterials are widely used in applications such as implants, prosthetics, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering.
Graphene Technologies:
Graphene technologies utilize the unique properties of graphene, a 2D lattice of carbon atoms known for its strength, conductivity, and flexibility. These properties make graphene ideal for applications in electronics, energy storage, composites, and sensors. Graphene is also being explored for use in medical technologies, such as drug delivery and bio sensing.
Optics and Photonics:
Optics focuses on the behaviour of light, including reflection, refraction, diffraction, and dispersion, and is essential for technologies like lenses, microscopes, and cameras. Photonics involves using photons to transmit, manipulate, and process information, including technologies like lasers, fibre optics, and photodetectors. These are critical in telecommunications, medical imaging, and computing.
Computational Materials Science:
Computational Materials Science uses computer simulations to study and predict material properties, behaviours, and performance at various scales, from atomic to macroscopic levels. This approach helps scientists understand how materials respond to different conditions, reducing the need for extensive physical testing. It accelerates the design of new materials for specific applications across industries such as aerospace, electronics, and healthcare.
Biomedical Engineering:
Biomedical Engineering integrates engineering with biological and medical sciences to develop technologies that improve healthcare. It involves designing medical devices, implants, diagnostic tools, and therapies to enhance patient care. This field focuses on improving treatment outcomes, advancing medical technology, and enhancing the quality of life through innovative solutions.
