Oakton Nanotechnology Showcased at Free August Events

(Aug. 1, 2016)  Make a mark in a rapidly growing field. By the end of 2016, the nanotechnology industry will require 6 million workers and approximately 2.5 million support positions worldwide. Get a head start at one of the following free nanotechnology events hosted by Oakton Community College at Skokie’s Illinois Science + Technology Park, 8045 Lamon Avenue:

• Nanotechnology Equipment Workshops
  Wednesdays, Aug. 10 and 17, 12 - 4 p.m.
• Nanotechnology Open Houses
  Thursdays, Aug. 11 and 18, 6 - 8 p.m.

“The nanotechnology equipment workshop is an excellent opportunity to get hands-on training with advanced microscopes such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM),” said Ken D’Aquila, Oakton physics instructor. “There will be a tour of the lab, and participants will discover what they will learn in Oakton’s nanotechnology program.”

The open houses are condensed versions of the equipment workshops and consist of informative presentations along with demonstrations.

“We want people to get excited about nanotechnology and to understand how our program could enhance their career or help them start a new one,” D’Aquila added.

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of small particles at the molecular and atomic levels. The discipline plays a significant role in biology, chemistry, engineering, medicine and physics – from building microprocessors and delivering anti-cancer drugs efficiently to making clothes more stain resistant and improving everything from metals and plastics to sunscreen.

This fall, Oakton will offer the following four-credit courses, which play a fundamental role in Oakton's Nanotechnology Certificate: Fundamentals of Nanotechnology I, Fundamentals of Nanotechnology II and Nanotechnology Projects.  

Register for all seminars at ne3i.eventbrite.com. For more information about the equipment workshops, call 847.635.1688 or email jireland@oakton.edu.