Gabor. L. Hornyak 1 and Joydeep Dutta 2 1. Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand 2. Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

Transcription

1 Innovative Development of Nanotechnology- Based Value Added Products for Enhancing Competitiveness (Overview and Strategic Implications for Firms and R&D Institutions in the Asia-Pacific Region) Gabor. L. Hornyak 1 and Joydeep Dutta 2 1 Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman December 7-8, 2011 UNESCAP Bangkok Thailand

2 Changing Landscape of Science Overview A G Poor Man s Nanotechnology E N Bottom-Up Activities D Research Focus A Closing Thoughts

3 Changing Landscape of Science: Challenges and Opportunities World Science Forum in Budapest, Nov Globalization of science Although still way on top- U.S., Europe and Japan giving way to rise of new powerhouses Emerging countries (Asia in particular) producing more grads and Ph.D.s than the Triad Expansion of scientific networks Need for intensive cooperation between universities, public research organizations and industry International collaboration: more citations Global challenges

4 Organizations+ United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Council for Science (ICSU) American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) European Academies Science Advisory Council Others: OECD, SDOA, European Commission etc. Several industrial representatives No less than 6 Nobel Laureates

5 Asia Was Underrepresented With the exception of Japan, India and Pakistan, Asia for the most part was underrepresented! No major speakers from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. Conference was by invitation only We can make sure that in Rio de Janiero for the next conference, we get invited to the WSF

6 Overview?

7 Overview? (Overview and Strategic Implications for Firms and R&D Institutions in the Asia- Pacific Region) Focus on the bottom-up approach from the sense of the scientist and not the chemical sense or that of the policy maker.

8 Overview? Firms and R&D Institutions in the Asia- Pacific Region are following the same trends as those in other parts of the world. The question is are they behind? If yes, how far behind? The world is connected everyone knows what everyone else is up to!

9 Nano Forecasts Nanotechnology contributed 0.8% to global GDP in 2010 = ca. $540 billion USD M. Rocco, Aiche.org, CEP, 2011 Nanotechnology is expected to contribute 1 to 2 trillion USD to the global GDP by 2015 (expected % of global GDP). M. Rocco, NNI and other sources

10 Nano Forecasts Industry Week s Jonathan Katz writes that nanotech-based products will exceed $3 trillion in revenues by In 2007, nanotech products generated $147 billion in revenues. Lux Research conducted the study. J. Jatz, Nanotechnology Boom Expected by 2015 New report forecasts major growth spurt in next seven years.

11 Nano Forecasts (in billions USD) United States 59 1,080 Europe 47 1,090 Asia-Pacific Remainder J. Katz, Nanotechnology Boom Expected by 2015 New report forecasts major growth spurt in next seven years. ww.industryweek.com/articles/nanotechnology_boom_expected_by_2015_16884.aspx?sectionid=35

12 Poor Man s Nanotechnology (or PMNT): A Refreshing Point of View (perhaps)

13 What is it? PMNT is nanotechnology accomplished with limited resources PMNT s mission is to produce enhanced products at affordable rates PMNT is bottom-up synthesis applied to materials and devices PMNT requires a strong partner (e.g. Nanotec)

14 PMNT (or Low Tech Nano Tech) We bring up Poor Man s Nanotechnology There are ways to do nanotechnology inexpensively Where scale-up is straightforward (bottom-up chemistry) And products are cheap and available to those who need them Research and industry can be geared to service this sector

15 Mundane Products Enhanced by Nanomaterials Made from the Bottom-Up Cosmetics Textiles Agricultural products Recreation equipment Paints and inks Antimicrobial packaging materials Construction materials

16 Sophisticated Products Enhanced by Nanomaterials Made from the Bottom-Up Catalysts for hydrogen generation Solar cells Gas sensors Advanced surfaces Photocatalytic materials Waterless urinals Filters for dialysis

17 PMNT is generally NOT associated with: Sophisticated electronics Hierarchical devices of complexity Targeted medicinals Quantum imaging Advanced optics Anything that requires expensive equipment Or instrumentation

18 1. Filtration Porous alumina membranes formed by anodizing aluminum. This process requires polyprotic acids, a chiller and a power supply. The ingredients are available anywhere. The membranes can be used for a variety of practical applications including filtration.

19 2. Heavy Metal Detection Heavy metal detection is done with gold nanoparticles made form the bottom-up. By coating the gold nanoparticles with specific organic sensing materials, specific for some metal of interest, the color of the solution changes when in contact with that metal down to a concentration of 50 ppm. This is good enough for farmers in the field.

20 3. Gas Sensing A gas-sensing device is made from zinc oxide nanorods that provide sensitivity down to the ppm level. Although a sophisticated device, its manufacture is quite straightforward. A change in the resistance is measured across the ZnO scaffolding. The electronics are standard.

21 4. Photocatalytic Purifier Photocatalytic purification of water by ZnO catalyst. Zinc oxide is formed by a hydrothermal process and can be formed in great quantities. Fabrication of a waterpurifier that can be placed at a water supply line is capable of purifying 1 L per hour.

22 5. Layer-by-Layer Structures Multi-layered coatings have numerous applications depending wholly on the nature of the coatings. Tsunami warning (pressure) sensors capable of a wide range of pressure detection (6 orders of magnitude) or optical filters can be manufactured cheaply. The dip-coating process controls the thickness of the material.

23 6. Advanced Surfaces Advanced surfaces can be made with application of zinc oxide materials of various physical configurations to common surfaces. For example, surface resembling that of the lotus leaf (called superhydrophobic) are easily fabricated by the hydrothermal method. Applications have already been applied to the textile industry and aerospace industry

24 7. Antimicrobial Materials Colloidal silver nanoparticles (made from the bottom-up) for use as anti-microbial agents. The nanoparticles can be incorporated into paints and applied to hospital walls or public places. Every year, a great majority of our food supply is lost to spoilage. Foods packaged with silver nanoparticle-enhanced materials will keep food fresher by killing mold and bacteria within the vicinity of the package.

25 7. Other PMNT Dye-sensitized solar cells Biological labeling Nanoencapsulated fertilizers Phenol removal from industrial waste water Waterless urinals! Hydrogen generation! Water desalinization Ammonia sensing And many more.

26 Activities

27 Formation of Super-Networks There is a trend towards globalization Asia is just emerging as a regional entity EU well-established EU is a regional entity that is now globally engaging Of course, Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan are all on course may not be so interested in PMNT need to conduct analysis.

28 Case Studies: AIT Workshops with neighboring countries (Indonesia) Education conferences (Manila) Technical conferences (China, India, Nepal) Collaborations (India) Business development (India, Thailand) AIT (all countries in the region) In Thailand close relationships with Nanotec

29 Nanotechnology Workshop for Indonesia Ministry of Agriculture personnel wished to be introduced to nanotechnology Primarily interested about impact on agriculture Design and construct a new laboratory facility Applications: - Nanoencapsulated fertilizers, pesticides - Desalinization - Food preservation and safety - Fish farming: antimicrobial applications - Post-harvest treatments - Textile applications - Effect of nanoparticles on rice

30 Nanotechnology Workshop for Bangladesh Governmental ministers with non-scientific backgrounds Interested in impact of nanotechnology on water purification, agriculture, etc. Applications: - Nanoencapsulated fertilizers, pesticides - Desalinization - Food preservation and safety - Fish farming: antimicrobial applications

31 One Last Item: Research Focus

32 Basic vs. Applied Research Basic Research: More like science- without the purpose of targeting product development or applications as drivers Applied Research: The prime directive is profit driven- real applications within a few years of R&D

33 Basic vs. Applied Research What are the percentages of each for each country? It is becoming more difficult to distinguish Industrial influence in academics is changing the way science is being conducted

34 Genre of Nanotechnology in the Region? Currently, application orientation rather than basic research orientation. One of the conclusions of the WSF conference was that in order to be competitive, countries need to invest much more in BASIC RESEARCH. 3% GDP for all research. How are we doing here?

35 Nanocenter? Application Driven We do accomplish basic research (optical theory, simulations etc.)

36 Hopeful Outcomes? Emerging nanotech programs develop PMNT projects By first defining needs / lining up resources And then occupying niches that lead to leadership in the region

37 In Closing Efforts from the bottom-up are ongoing and a natural consequence of collaboration Top-down guidance and funding is required to acquire national, regional and global significance PMNT offers fantastic niches for emerging nanotechnology programs in the Asian Pacific region Everything is accelerating in pace- we must keep up. OR

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39 Change with me or perish!

40 Thank You UNESCAP, APCTT, EGM Dr. Salyabrata Sahu Dr. K. Ramanathan All participants