'Keeping Indian Nanotech Small'

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Lack Of Industry Links 'Keeping Indian Nanotech Small'

Summary posted by Meridian on 9/10/2008
Source: SciDev.Net
Author: T. V. Padma

Representatives from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Indian scientists involved in nanotechnology met last week to discuss India’s challenges with converting its nanotechnology research into marketable products. According to the article, the group accredited the low rate of nanotechnology commercialization to weak connections between Indian scientific institutes and industry, as well as a lack of information about groups involved in nanotechnology. The group also said that commercialization is hampered by the reluctance of India’s industry to manufacture large quantities of nanomaterials with proven commercial applications. According to the article, India currently has more than 30 industries and 50 institutes involved in nanotechnology research and development, as well as a US$250 million five-year national nanotech mission launched in 2007. V. S. Ramamurthy, former secretary of India's Department of Science and Technology, offered that India should use its research findings to develop “commercially viable products that are either globally competitive or locally relevant.” C. N. R. Rao, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to India's Prime Minister, said that Indian researchers and industry should become involved with internationally high-profile areas of nanotechnology, including nano-scale particles of graphene, which can be used in microelectronics and greenhouse gas remediation, and zinc oxide nanoparticles, which can be used in lasers, transistors and photovoltaics. Ajay Sood, of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore said, "An information map on interested industry and academics is very much needed; an information platform that is easily accessible and can be updated." The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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