4th Nanotechnology Conclave 2009, 14 – 15 April, 2009, NewDelhi

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with Department of Science & Technology, (DST), Government of India, Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology (GIST) and Tamil Nadu Technology Development Promotion Center organised the 4th Nanotechnology Conclave 2009, a two-day conference that brought together Nanotechnology experts across the globe to share their expertise and latest technology advancements as well as to reflect on the future trends in this field.

Speaking at the Inaugural session, Dr. T Ramasami, Chairman, TNTDPC Governing Body & Secretary to Government, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, stated that a lot of efforts are being taken by the Research Community, Academia and Industry, but much of these are not collaborative. Reinstating the huge opportunities created by Department of Science and Technology’s NanoMission through which almost Rs 1000 crores is planned to be released over a period of 5 years, he invited the Industry to come forward and take advantage of this opportunity, and evolve more Public-Private-Partnership mode businesses in Nanotechnology. He also challenged the various R&D efforts in Nanotechnology to focus on providing solutions to various social problems. He said that CII has to play an important role in bringing the nanotechnology products to market by working with various stakeholders. He said that CII and DST will join hands together to celebrate Indian Nanotechnology Products in the near future.

Dr. Dipankar Banerjee, Chief Controller, R&D (AMS), & Distinguished Scientist, DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India stated that India is positioned on the strategic map for Nano products as Indian investments in the technology match that of Ireland, Canada and Switzerland. Mr. Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman, CII National Committee on Technology & Chairman & CEO, HCL Infosystems Ltd, stated that Nanotechnology is already being applied in industrial applications, production technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, transportation and electronics among others. It is yet to come of age, and presents huge scope for business. Market for Nanotechnology is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 33% between 2008 and 2015.

In the welcome remarks, Dr. M Vidyasagar, Chairman, Nanotechnology Conclave 2009 & Executive Vice President, TATA Consultancy Services remained optimistic about India forging an effective identity for Nanotechnology products, given proactive initiatives taken by the Government and industry.

A special display showcased product excellence in nanotechnology from Indian companies. The products included CNT, nanomaterials for medical applications; educational institutions have also displayed their areas of activity in the nanoscience. Moreover a poster session briefing nanomaterial research on different sectors was organised.

The conclave ended with a high note on the recommendations coming from the panel discussion of session chairman. The following are the recommendations that emerged out of the conclave.

• There should be more collaboration between the Industry/Academia/Research Labs for successful translation of knowledge creation into wealth creation especially in the areas of ICT, Life Sciences & Health Care, Energy & Environment, Nanoelectronics, Agriculture, etc.
• There is a need to focus on solving social problems using Nanotechnology
• Industry should come forward to make use of the opportunities created by the government through funding collaborations with countries like Russia, Finland and Italy etc. and set up new ventures for successful commercialization of nanotechnology applications.
• CII has to play an important role in bringing the nanotechnology products to market by working with various stakeholders.
• There is a need to assess the Health Risks and toxicity due to Nanotechnology and to create public awareness.
• There is a need to learn from successful Nanotechnology Clusters like those in Finland and Venice and implement similar models in India.

3rd Nanotechnology conclave 2008, 19 – 20 March, 2008, Chennai

CII & Normura Research Institute together with Department of Science & Technology had organized the third Nanotechnology Conclave 2008 to facilitate collaborations between industry and institutes on 19-20 March, 2008 at Hotel Le Royal Meridian, Chennai. Nanotechnology Conclave had a major role to play in transforming industry on being a platform for collaboration and to introduce new technologies that are under development from various institutes and industry.

In the inaugural session of the conclave Dr Sundararajan, Chairman, ARCI emphasized the need for a Nanotechnology Centre. Dr. A Sivathanupillai, CEO, BrahMos Aerospace Ltd. Delivered the keynote address on Nanotechnology and accentuated the need for the co-ordination of research activities on nanotechnology. The conference proceeded with sessions of importance like Nanomaterials & Coatings, nanoelectronics, and nanotechnology applications, use of nanotechnology in environment and agriculture. The discussions included new methods of producing carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, new equipment and processes for nanomaterial production, and various other technology possibilities under nanomaterials. There were also interesting topics in nanotechnology like research on nano fertilizers, nano herbicides. Nanotechnology applications included technology for real time monitoring of drug molecules for effective delivery of drugs to the affected cells.

The conclave ended at a high note on the recommendations coming from the panel discussion of the session chairman. The following are the recommendations that emerged out of the conclave.

• There should be co-ordination between the industries and institutes in research activities in nanotechnology.
• Studies related to relevance of nanocomposites in agriculture, environmental cleanup programmes and wastewater treatment need to be carried out.
• It is important to help SMEs in identifying the nano products
• Nanotechnology research in institutes and industry should be oriented towards national needs.
• A centre well equipped with all instruments and other facilities is needed for the entrepreneurs and industry where R&D can be conducted. Such a centre is to be managed by CII.
• Health and Environment related impacts of Nanotechnology have to be studied
• Industry and Institutes have to collaborate in the areas of nanotechnology applications like medicine, catalysts, and carbon nanotubes for various applications.
• The Conclave in the future should also focus on fostering collaborations between institutes and industry in India.
• CII should help industry to utilize the facilities available in research institutes.
• A website has to be created to host the expertise available with institutes and industry in India and abroad.
• Establishment of CII Nanotechnology Forum through the website can streamline the activities from the industry and institute members.
• Create information knowledge centre for the entrepreneurs related to new technologies especially nanotechnology.

2nd Nanotechnology conclave 2007, 15 – 16 February, 2007, New Delhi

CII and Department of Science and Technology organized the Nanotechnology Conclave 2007 alongside the IETF (International Engineering and Technology Trade Fair) to facilitate collaborations between industry and institutes on 15-16 February 2007 at Hotel Intercontinental, New Delhi. The conclave served as a platform to introduce new technologies that are under development from various institutes and industry.

At the inaugural session of the conclave Prof. Ramamurthy, Chairman, Board of Governors emphasized the need for a Nanotechnology Centre. Dr. M Vidyasagar, Executive Vice President, TCS spoke about the trio bio-info-nanotechnology. Nanomaterials & Coatings, nanobiotechnology, nanoelectronics, and nanotechnology for energy applications were key points of discussion at the conclave. There were also interesting data storage related technologies, which would revolutionize the storage medium, by packing more bytes of data per square inch.

The following are the recommendations that emerged out of the conclave.

• Nanotechnology research in institutes and industry should be oriented towards national needs.
• A centre well equipped with all instruments and other facilities is needed for the entrepreneurs and industry where R&D can be conducted.
• Health and Environment related impacts of Nanotechnology have to be studied
• Industry and Institutes have to collaborate in the areas of nanotechnology applications like medicine, catalysts, and carbon nanotubes for various applications.
• CII should help industry to utilize the facilities available in research institutes.
• A website has to be created to host the expertise available with institute and industry in India and abroad.
• Establishment of CII Nanotechnology Forum through the website can streamline the activities from the industry and institute members.

1st Nanotechnology Conclave: 22-23 September 2006, New Delhi

CII and Indo-US S&T Forum jointly organized the Indo-US Nanotechnology Conclave on 22-23 February 2006 at New Delhi, which attracted wide audience. This conclave focused on industrial applications with collaborative support from academics and R&D institutes from both the sides.

President of India, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam inaugurated the Conclave and addressed in length about the products already available in development stage within the research institutes. In the later follow-up meeting he directed CII to take up the products mentioned in the speech and take it to the market place. The initiative conceived here is put together an action plan for realizing the same.

The conclave hosted around 12 speakers for USA and equivalent number from India and attracted about 300 participants from industry, government and academia. The technical sessions focused on areas like nanomaterials, nano coatings, nano manufacturing-processes and tools, nanotechnology and drug delivery and nanoventuring. The technical sessions provided deep insight into applications of nanotechnology like Wireless sensor using carbon nanotube and nanowire (instead of the traditional for monitoring cardiovascular diseases, recording electrical activity of the heart that shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrythmias) and detects the heart muscle damage, Wireless Smart vest integrated with GPS, internet of cellular network for physiological monitoring including respiration recording, temperature, simulation of novel drug delivery systems, coatings that are being tested in commercial vehicles of Mahindra.

The session chairman initiated a brain storming in the final session and recommended the following to be carried forward by CII.

• CII and IUSTF to carry forward the work of collecting and compiling technologies from the industry and institutions for collaborations & commercialization, as advised by President Abdul Kalam in his inaugural address.
• Identification & collection of market active databases
• A website on nanotechnology to network various stake-holders
• Entrepreneurship clubs to be formed to boost nanotechnology and other frontier technologies in the country
• Govt assistance for funding research and commercialization ventures.
• Technology Collaboration between industry and academia on both the sides – India & US, trough industry liaison programmes in academia and vice versa
• Focusing nano application in health care sector
• Extending future programmes towards practical demo workshop
• Issue of talent – Indian researchers with American institutes - American researchers with industry in India