Indian, UK scientists to collaborate in nanotech

Indian and British scientists have decided to take up a joint programme on nanoscience and nanotechnology and further ongoing research in the field, which internationally attracts investment of over $10 billion.

There was large scope for collaborative research on nanotechnology between India and the UK which had a great future, speakers said at the 'Building Futures: Indo-UK Nanotechnology Conference' which ended here yesterday.

A few centres for nanotechnology would be set up in the country, Arup Raychaudhuri, director of SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, said.

A conference would be held in Hyderabad in February to take stock of development of nanotechnology in India, he said.

There was 'incredible' investment in European countries, the US and Japan on nanotechnology development, Mark Welland, Nanoscience Centre director of Cambridge University, said.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology, he said, "explores and exploits tools and techniques that seamlessly cross the boundaries of physics, chemistry, material science, biology and engineering." Welland said nanotechnology also had wider use in healthcare and biotechnology, information and communication, food and drinks, energy and automobiles and advanced management.

He said that there had been remarkable growth in the number of patents in nanotechnology globally. Nanotechnology is the design, characteristics, production of and application of microscopically small devices.