The Hindu : Kerala News : Nanotechnology all set to soar high

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Nanotechnology all set to soar high

R. Ramabhadran Pillai

New initiatives in the field being taken up in India

Kochi: The robot is no more a fancy. There are manmade robots that perform different complex functions that the human being is unable to execute with his own hands.

But how about a robot replicating by itself - it could be a wild imagination. However, it may not remain so for long because new technologies are emerging.

Nanotechnology, an emerging field in the research area, may be capable of such performances, according to experts.

This modern branch of technology has immense applications and scientists are exploring many a possibility. Scientists in several advanced countries are said to be keen on unravelling the mysteries of nanoparticles.

A few initiatives are also being taken in India. It needs a multi-disciplinary approach to develop nanotechnology, says T.P. Sasikumar, scientist with the Department of Space.

Even in biotechnology, different streams of knowledge are incorporated.

At times, this has led to confusion as to who is expected to take the plunge.

A costly infrastructure providing a high degree of precision is required for research and development in nanoscience.

This could be a reason why very little initiative has been taken in India, says Mr. Sasikumar. The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, and Madras University had reportedly done some work in this sphere.

Pointing out that nanomaterials have various applications in polymers, chemistry, space applications, et al, the scientist elaborates on the scope of application of the science.

"If slender structures of the size of the mosquito's proboscis could be developed, it would be of immense use in changing the structure of the DNA."

The technology could thus provide valuable insights to unravel the composition of viruses. It could also have many business opportunities, he adds.

In fact, a few efforts are under way to go deep into the unknown world of nanoscience. The Associated Chamber of Commerce is keen to start a collaborative venture on nanotechnology.

The proposal is to have Kerala's partnership in the venture to be set up with U.S. expertise, according to top officials of the chamber.

Nanotechnology can work wonders, says Anil K. Agarwal, president of the chamber. For instance, compact discs could be made very much smaller while being capable of holding much more content.

A single music CD developed through nanotechnology could have contents enough to play songs continuously for more than a year, experts say.

Thin ornaments made through nanotechnology would make a new fashion wave. Dress materials could be developed that would need ironing at all... . The possibilities are immense. And the limit may be much beyond the sky.

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