Nanomaterials Science

Do you want to learn how to design, make, model, and use nanomaterials to enable the transition to a sustainable society? Would you like to work on cutting edge interdisciplinary research at the interface between chemistry and physics?

Nanomaterials for Sustainability

The combined talents and expertise of chemists, physicists, and material scientists are essential to successfully address the scientific and technological challenges of today’s society. Nanomaterials have unique properties that can be tailored by controlling the size, shape and surface of nanoparticles and nanoporous materials. The two-year Master’s programme Nanomaterials Science offers you a scientifically diverse learning environment where you will acquire both the knowledge and the skills to successfully tackle the complex multidisciplinary problems associated with our transition to a sustainable society.

You will gain in-depth knowledge and research experience with nanomaterials and their design, synthesis, and properties. You will learn how to predict, design, understand, and manipulate the properties of nanomaterials to enable their application in e.g. solar energy harvesting, batteries, energy-efficient LEDs and computers, renewable hydrogen production, and CO2 conversion to chemicals and fuels. You will be able to tailor your study programme by choosing from a diverse pool of courses covering the physical-chemistry of nanomaterials and carrying out a 1-year research project hosted by one of the groups of the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science or the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry. Moreover, you can also choose to do an internship (15 or 30 EC) at a foreign university, research institute or company or follow additional courses. The programme will prepare you to successfully pursue a variety of problem-solving and research-based careers.

I feel like this programme is unique because of the focus on research. Research is a really big part of this programme. Sometimes it even feels like doing a mini-PhD.

Why in Utrecht

• The teaching staff and the research facilities in the programme are provided by two world-class research institutes: the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry.
• Networking with national and international contacts of excellent scientists affiliated with the programme.
• Strong links to academia, research institutes and companies, which offers multiple opportunities to bring knowledge into practice
• An interdisciplinary approach to the programme’s themes, which provides you with a broad perspective of the field of nanomaterials, excellent problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Which chemistry programme is for you?

Utrecht University offers two Master's programmes in Chemical Sciences. Check which programme best fits your interests.

• 

  Nanomaterials Science

  Nanomaterials Science

  At the interface between Chemistry and Physics

  Main themes are Colloids and bio-inspired materials, Catalysts and energy materials, Nanophotonics, and Quantum materials

  You will learn how to design, make, and apply nanomaterials to enable the transition to a sustainable society

  Chemistry is put in a fundamental and interdisciplinary perspective

• 

  Sustainable and Circular Chemistry

  At the interface between Chemistry and Health, Environment & Society   

  Main themes are Molecular chemistry, Materials science, Catalysis, and Sustainability 

  You will learn how to design novel, safe, and sustainable routes for making (new) chemicals and materials.  
   
  Chemistry is put in a broader, systems perspective