International summer school on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies

The virtual part will be running from May 3rd to July 30th, 2024. The virtual pre-summer school component of NANOSUM 2024 is focused on the "open problem" approach of the school. It will start with a general meeting to form mixed student groups from different universities, where actual research subjects are presented by teachers and scientific committee members of the school. Each group will be updated to the background, theory, and current state regarding their "open problem" to enable them to propose solutions to overcome them. Therefore, this virtual activity will include advanced seminars by selected teachers on the proposed subjects, student meetings to prepare to solve their "open problem" and advisory meetings with their teachers. As one goal of this component each group will present their conclusions and solutions at the summer school. In the virtual post-summer school component of NANOSUM 2024 the student groups from the former "open problem" approach will each choose a seminar presentation of their choice from the summer school as a starting point to design a societal or industrial project to overcome problems of digital and technological transformation ("new ideas"). Finally, students will present and discuss their "new ideas" during a general remote session of oral presentations with participants from all five universities. From tiny things with huge effects: Discover the possibilities of nanoscience and nanotechnology

Application Deadline

Virtual Part starting date 2024-05-03

Virtual Part closing date 2024-07-30

Total student workload 180

Specific field of studies Nanosciences & Nanotechnology

Pre-requisite for selection CV

Academic pre-requisites for applicants B. Sc./M. Sc. in Nanoscience/Nanotechnology or in related Natural Sciences/Engineering. Applicants should have a strong background in at least one of these fields: Condensed matter physics, organic or inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biophysics, cellular and molecular biology.

Physical Part starting date 2024-06-17

Physical Part Description The physical component of NANOSUM 2024 will be a five-day international summer school in Blaubeuren, Germany. The majority of sessions within this school consists of seminars by leading teachers of the master studies from the five universities in the field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies. In these seminars hypotheses, approaches and research in fields as different as nanobiophysics, quantum technologies, nanofluidics, nanomedicine or soft matter physics will be presented. This unique mix of presentations from different scientific disciplines reflects the diversity of student participants and will support their transdisciplinary view and understanding of technological transformation by nanosciences and nanotechnology. Another element of our summer school is dedicated to personal and professional development of our students. Therefore, former students of the nanoscience studies will be invited to present their projects and work experience in research, industry and economy during a half-day session. In the afternoon there will be round tables in speed dating format of professionals and students to gain deeper insights into different potential future workplaces and fields of activity of our students. A central element of the virtual BIP component, the "open problem" approach, reaches its peak in the physical part. As mentioned above, during NANOSUM 2024 the different student groups will present the outcomes for the solution of their "open problem". During the personal gathering at the summer school, periods will be reserved for in-person discussions and presentation rehearsals. Finally, a session of poster presentations is planned during the week, where students will be able to explain the conclusions of their previous remote work and to defend them in front of teachers of the school (as jury) and participants. Later, the jury selects and awards the most elaborated and prospective contributions. This summer school also dedicates half a day to the potential impact of Nanosciences and Nanotechnology on sustainability, environment, and society, including issues related to the role of nanotechnologies in the environmental transition. Therefore, there will be seminars given by speakers from social sciences on these matters from their perspective. Afterwards, the "open problem" student groups will discuss and present their solutions in the light of ethical and socio-cultural considerations, i. e. in the context of UN´s Millenium Goals. All participants (students and teachers) will select the most convincing solutions from this contest. Important note: Housing (accommodation and meals) is arranged by the school. Students with a CIVIS mobility scholarship will have to pay the sum of 200€ for this housing.

Physical Part closing date 2024-06-21

Language level required B2

Field of studies related to the course Engineering and Technology Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Course location Blaubeuren, Germany

Course language English