15-06-2012, 10:55 AM
Nanotechnology developments in India
Nanotechnology developments in India.pdf (Size: 1.03 MB / Downloads: 189)
Key players involved
Nations try to harness the potential offered by modern science
and technology to its socio-economic needs. In order to realize
this, a wide range of organizations and practices are required.
Science and technology organizations, such as universities,
research institutes and public research and development
organizations constitute an important component of the science
and technology system of a nation. These are the sites where
knowledge with potential for technological innovation is
generated. Further, industries constitute an important arena in
which the knowledge is translated into goods and services. They
also tend to be the institutions whose products are used to fulfill
social needs. It goes without saying that organizations like
government agencies and departments, patent offices, and
funding organizations (both public and private) are equally
important in this regard. The above mentioned organizations
perform critical functions like R&D, the provision of technical
services, and the development of policy.
Public sector R&D institutions
Public sector R&D institutions play a predominant role in
nanotechnology R&D. Research in nanoscience and
nanotechnology is being carried out in various academic and
scientific institutions. Foremost are the, ‘Centers of Excellence
(CoE) for Nanoscience and Technology’ established under the
NSTI by DST. The CoEs consist of eleven “Units of nanoscience”
that were created to pursue basic research in several broad areas
of nanoscience/ nanoscale systems and technology (Figure 1.2).
Whereas seven “Centers for nanotechnology” were also initiated
that could focus on R&D in niche areas or in specific dimensions
sch as nanoelectronics (IIT Bombay) or nanoscale phenomena in
biological systems and materials (Tata Institute of Fundamental
Research-TIFR) (Figure 1.2 ). The “Centers” seeks to undertake
R&D to develop specific applications in a fixed period of time.
Another “Center for Computational Materials Science” has also
been established2.
Nanoscience and Technology Initiative (NSTI)
Initiated in 2001, the NSTI has served as the primary vehicle for
India engagement with nanoscience and technology. Though
modestly funded, this program spearheaded capacity building in
this arena at the national level. The NSTI took root when the
Government of India identified the need to initiate a program
that focused on nanoscience and technology in the 10th Five Year
Plan. In this context it was felt that there was a need to evolve a
framework for a “National Initiative on Nanomaterial Science &
Technology”. Thus DST set up a National Expert Committee and
a strategy paper was evolved for supporting on a long-term basis
both basic research and application oriented programs in
nanomaterials2.