100 CRORE
RUPEE NANO SCIENCE-TECH INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
Government has launched
a new programme "nano-materials Science and Technology Initiative"
(NSTI) to promote research and development in this frontier area
of science. Rupees 100 crore has been earmarked for this in the
10th Plan. The initiative envisages participation of
the industry including the private sector in the venture.
Nanotechnology promises
immense applications in the areas of health and biotechnology,
electronics, information technology and materials etc. Significant
steps have already been taken to provide sophisticated facilities
including infrastructure and manpower for the development of this
science. Since the area is new, it will be too early to assess
the impact. As also, work in the area is at various stages of
development.
Meanwhile, significant
breakthrough was achieved at the Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore recently, when it was discovered that voltage is generated
across the two ends, when a liquid passed over the carbon nano-tube.
The work being patented will have far-reaching effects on enhancing
the efficiency of several technologies. Further research is on
to see, how the voltage can be increased and put to productive
use.
Synthesis of nano-materials
and assembling of the nano-structures into ordered arrays for
rendering them functional and operational are crucial aspects
of nano-science. The materials/ structures include nano-particles,
nano-wires, nano-tubes, nano-structured alloys and polymers, nano-porous
solids and DNA chips. Besides conventional tools like X-ray, specialised
instrumentation such as scanning probe microscopes, high resolution
electron microscopy and magnetic force microscopy are required
for work on nano-science and technology.
