This is a story about a young man who is talented, but no singing is involved. Not that we know of, anyhow.

Mind you, plenty of people are singing the praises of University of Newcastle nanomaterials researcher Ahmad Tabish.

The federal government has selected him for its "Global Talent Independent Program".

The program offers a permanent visa to the chosen ones to live and work in Australia.

The aim is to attract highly skilled and talented people across the world in growth industries.

The program is highly competitive. Tabish is among the youngest PhD researchers selected for the program.

He is helping to develop highly porous, silica-based nanomaterials for applications in the health, energy and environment sectors, including carbon capture.

Tabish, whose home country is India, is obviously super-smart. He's also humble.

Being accepted into the program made him "feel motivated" and that his work had "been appreciated".

"I'm still early in my research," he said.

He's based at the university's Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials.

"In our research centre, we have a fantastic team of excellent scientists," he said

He added that being selected in the program was "definitely not possible without the support of the centre director [Professor Ajayan Vinu] and all the senior scientists".

"It's a fantastic place to conduct my research. It's my passion," he said.

"I definitely look forward to contributing to the research in Australia."

And we look forward to following his career in nanotechnology [and possibly singing].

Nanotechnology involves the use of teeny-tiny materials.

A sheet of newspaper, for example, is about 100,000 nanometres thick.

Nanotechnology involves working with matter at the atomic and molecular level.

The technology is being used to create new materials and devices in medicine, electronics, energy production and consumer products.

It's hoped that the technology could help solve some of the world's biggest problems, including climate change, pollution and cancer treatment.

Molecule 1: I just lost an electron.

Molecule 2: Are you sure?

Molecule 1: I'm positive.

What religion are atoms? Catholic. They have mass.

A photon walks into a hotel. The manager said: "Welcome to our hotel. Can we help you with your luggage?" The photon replied: "No thanks, I'm travelling light."

What's the best way to tell element jokes? Periodically.

A couple of scientists had twins. They named one Sarah and the other Control.

The optimist sees the glass half full. The pessimist sees the glass half empty. The chemist sees the glass completely full, half with liquid and half with air.

The Memewhile In Newcastle Facebook page sent us this joke: "Some idiots have stolen all the bus stop signs along Maitland Road from Islington to Mayfield. Honestly ... where do these people get off?"

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