Nov 20, 2017

ASTM International has approved the last of six standards aimed at helping teach undergraduate students basic concepts related to working in nanotechnology research, development, and manufacturing.

The newest standard (E3089) is a guide that provides a basic approach to understanding the unique properties and applications of nanoscale materials (as compared to those of macroscale materials).

The suite was developed by the education and workforce development subcommittee of ASTM International’s committee on nanotechnology (E56). In addition to the new guide for “material properties and effects of size,” the standards cover these subjects:

• Health and safety (E2996);
• Characterization (E3001);
• Pattern generation (E3034);
• Infrastructure (E3059); and,
• Materials synthesis and processing (E3071).

“Given the diversity in scope and location for various nanotechnology education programs, it is beneficial to colleges, students, and industry to have a foundational set of standards to help train the nanotechnology workforce,” says ASTM International member Raymond Tsui. “This new guide, in addition to the other standards, provides a basis for uniformity in the qualifications of graduates from these educational programs.”

Tsui, an academic associate at Arizona State University, notes that colleges and universities will be able to use the standards to develop and evaluate education programs, while employers will benefit from knowing that graduates have been exposed to specific areas of nanotechnology education. 

More news on these standards can be found in this new Standardization News article. Additional information on nanotechnology education and workforce development can be found at the ASTM International website.

To purchase standards, contact ASTM International’s customer relations (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org).