“Nano science offers plenty of scope’’

Conference on nano technology at SASTRA University

C.N.R.Rao, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, presents the Young Career Award in Nanotechnology to Dr. S. Swaminathan, Director, Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA University, at the Nano India 2015 meet in Thanjavur on Thursday. Vice-Chancellor R.Sethuraman is in the picture.

Indian researchers need to find the right problems in nano science for the nation to emerge a global centre for scientific research, the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, C.N.R.Rao, said here on Thursday.

Targeted funding and prioritised research in nano science and technology have secured India third position in terms of publications in nano science globally, he said, speaking after inaugurating the Nano India 2015 meet at the SASTRA University here.

Stressing that Nano India 2015 conference was a macrocosm of what's happening in the nation, Prof.Rao called upon the scientific community to “think about the frame of reference in which you seek to perform” while advising them to act globally on a universal scale adding that there was no limit to excellence. We scientists must work hard, the 81-year-old exhorted colleagues while urging them to take inspiration from their brethren in Israel and Japan and said that nano science offered the scientific community plenty of scope to perform.

The Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Prof.Ashutosh Sharma, observed that focussed funding to the tune of Rs.1,000 crore between 2007 and 2013 through the Nano Mission Council had created 50 centres across the country, including one at the SASTRA, ushering in considerable achievement in the niche sector. The second phase with an additional allocation of Rs.650 crore would focus on priority areas such as clean water, clean energy, and low-cost healthcare.

Prof.Rao also presented Prof.Ashok K.Ganguli of the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, with the National Research Award while Dr.P.S.Anil Kumar of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and Dr.S.Swaminathan, Director, Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, received the Young Career Award in Nanotechnology.

Prof.Rao also dedicated the Anusandhan Kendra Phase II at the SASTRA University here to the nation.

Anusandhan Kendra Phase II is part of the SASTRA’s interdisciplinary research initiative integrating Engineering, Life Sciences, Physics, and Chemistry. Constructed over an area of one lakh square feet at a cost of Rs.22 crore, the facility houses 56 research labs with state-of-the art facilities. Phase I, constructed at a cost Rs.20 crore, was dedicated during 2011.

Nano India is being addressed by 30 eminent and outstanding scientists in the field from premier research laboratories across the country and from the industry and would include six plenary sessions.

Around 400 research scholars and students from reputed universities and research institutes are presenting their work as posters at the conference.