Nano Technology and its impact

Nano Technology is not something new. It came to India some 10 to 12 years ago.

In fact, the commercial application of this technology has already started. The technology is extremely diverse from making special shoes to producing wrinkle-free clothes. However, there has been much debate on the future of the implications of Nano Technology.

The news on this much-hyped technology is buzzing around. Still, there is a need to understand Nano Technology and its application. For the purpose, experts sat together during MIT's conference, EmTech, on the emerging technologies, here today.

Kicking off the session, N Suresh, Chief Editor Biospectrum, highlighted that the technology is increasingly finding more applications with every passing day right from wrinkle free clothing   to nanoparticle mediated drug delivery that could direct anti-cancer drugs directly to the tumours.

According to , Rajeev Mantri, executive director, Navam Capital, said: "First of all, we need to understand the definition of Nano Technology. Nano Technology is a purposeful engineering of material. It is the technology of developing material or devices with the structure of the size of 100 nanometers or smaller.

"For instance, the cube of sugar takes longer to dissolve than the powder sugar. Nano Technology is a value chain. There is no Nano Technology industry. It is just a technology. And a unique area. There are many diverse applications when you look at Nano Technology," he added.

Not-so-easy entrepreneurs   

It is harder for entrepreneurs to set up a venture with Nano Technology because there is a huge laboratory setup require to make it work. And the labs need expense. Then comes in the role of investors. But it is not that easy to get an investor for a Nano Technology-based venture. The production based on Nano Technology takes longer to generate revenues.

"There are even laws and finance that need to be taken care of while setting up a business based in Nano Technology," said Rajeev. 

Still need awareness

India has got the talent and getting the government support. In fact, the government of India is investing about $750 million per year on such research and technologies and is taking several steps to promote and encourage this expensive technology in the country. 

The country has recently introduced a policy for it. "That's why Agilent is particularly interested in India. But the academia also needs to think in a different way and should work with capital venture because there is a need for a change in a cultural way," said Dr. Kunal Bose, Application Scientist, Nano Measurement Divisions, Agilent Solutions.

"I appreciate that there are 25 to 30 universities that have started Nano Technology programs. But what is difficult here is to have a laboratory setup, which in itself is an expensive bet," added Kunal.

"Also, there is a huge disconnect between what's being taught and what's being available at this point of time. It is really necessary to balance both of them."

He added that most of the opportunities in this area would be in energy storage cautioning that a lot of process innovation is required though to get it working. Dr. Kunal Bose, Application Scientist, Nano Measurements Division, Agilent Technologies shed some more light on India's nanotech initiatives saying that the DST( Department of Science and Technology) has invested  $50-70 million in pure research in nanotechnology.

India's share as compared to the other BRIC countries though is just 10 percent he added. He also added that 150-200 atomic force microarrays have been installed in India with 25-30 Indian universities  doing research in the field and yet more resources are needed to get the sector on the top.

There is still a need of delivering education about the way this technology is being delivered and being taught.