Scientists & Entrepreneurs to Undertake Nanotech Venturesech Ventures
Nanotechnology is an emerging area that engages almost every technical discipline – from chemistry to computer science – in the study and application of extremely tiny materials.
Dealing with particles/materials that are of a nano size and below, the branch has now emerged to be one of the country’s top ranked subject related to academic and research. It is rapidly expanding area of research with huge potential to revolutionise our lives and to provide technological solutions to our problems in agriculture, energy, the environment and medicine.
And now, the Karnataka State Government is trying to woo scientists and entrepreneurs to set up ventures in the field after witnessing how an ecosystem has already been set up in the state for the same. Since Bengaluru is already home to major research centres focusing on nanotechnology for pharma, energy engineering, medicine, energy, transport and communication, it would be the right choice for investors to consider this location, according to Karnataka Minister for Planning, Statistics and Science & Technology, MR Seetharam.
Renowned scientist C.N.R. Rao said that the endeavour is to create an ecosystem for bringing industry, research and academia on one platform with the state
government support to use nanotechnology and nano science across verticals, during his speech at the three-day “Bengaluru India Nano 2017” held in Bengaluru on December 7-8.Having “Nano Horizons” has the theme for this year’s 9th edition of the event , it was organised by the state Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science and Technology, and saw the participation of over 500 delegates from countries including India, US, Japan and Britain. The two-day event also discussed various trends of nanotechnology like nano sensors, nano in energy sector, nano manufacturing and scalability and nano-medicine.
Besides this event, the government is also providing financial support for various R&D projects and infrastructure developments in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology for higher education institutions based on the recommendation of Vision Group on Science and Technology (VGST), which is also chaired by Prof. Rao, National Research Professor Linus Pauling Research Professor & Honorary President Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
The organisation is also reportedly establishing 25 Science Centres in the state with an aim to popularize developments in science and technology among the general public and to provide an opportunity to develop scientific temper, scientific thinking and spirit of inquiry among students particularly in rural areas.
Often referred to as the “Science Capital of India’, “IT capital of India”, “Silicon Valley of Asia”, even “biotech hub of India”, Bengaluru is now backed by the government to increase intensity of ongoings efforts in key areas such as space technology, electronics, information and communication technology, IT-enabled services and biotechnology with the contribution of premier institutions.
A number of start-ups are already working on how to apply and make best use of nanotechnology in the multidisciplinary domains like biotechnology and medicine among others. Some of them are already using this technology to improve their traditional products portfolio to compete with market challenges. Because of this, nanotechnology has set off a true science race among countries to gain supremacy in this growing field, Dr. Rao said.
