South-South Cooperation for Strengthening Innovation and R&D Management Capacity for Nanotechnology

Transcription

1 NANO MALAYSIA CONVENTION AND EXPO And NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON STRENGTHENING R&D MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RESEARCHERS AND RESEARCH MANAGERS IN THE AREA OF NANOTECHNOLOGY December 2013, Malacca, Malaysia South-South Cooperation for Strengthening Innovation and R&D Management Capacity for Nanotechnology Satyabrata Sahu, Ph.D. Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP)

2 1. Background to APCTT Outline 2. Importance of nanoscience and nanotechnology 3. Nanotechnology in the Asia-Pacific 4. Issues for consideration in nanotechnology 5. South South Cooperation in strengthening R&D management capacity 6. APCTT s Programme on R&D management capacity building in the area of nanotechnology 7. Concluding remarks

3 1. What is APCTT? APCTT is a regional institute of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP). Based in New Delhi, India APCTT aims to assist the members and associate members of ESCAP through strengthening their capabilities to: 1. Develop and manage national innovation systems; 2. Develop, transfer, adapt and apply technology; 3. Improve the terms of transfer of technology; and 4. Identify and promote the development and transfer of technologies relevant to the region.

4 UN-ESCAP Member Countries observers

5 The Imperative for Strengthening National Capacity to Effectively Manage Technology Transfer and Innovation Five major challenges in the Asia-Pacific region Promoting inclusive economic and social development by addressing economic imbalance Overcoming social grievances and enhancing the quality of life of the less privileged by addressing social imbalance Rectifying ecological imbalance to promote holistic and sustainable development Eliminating empathy imbalance to foster and ensure good governance and people participation Reducing technological capacity imbalance to promote innovative behaviour and fuller participation of micro, small and medium enterprises in economic activities As a Regional Institute of ESCAP, APCTT is mandated to assist member countries to build capacity to address the issue of technological capacity imbalance. The five challenges are interrelated.

6 2. Importance of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology The World Bank (2009)* identified core areas where nanotechnology and nanoscience can drive inclusive development and economic growth.. Nanobiotechnology synthesizing nanomaterials using microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and plant and animal-based products Safe drinking water - some nanoparticles can degrade pesticides and pollutants, carbon nano-tube based filters could remove bacteria Strengthening food security - nanotechnology applied to develop crops with higher level of micro-nutrients, enhanced pest resistance. Health - development of cheap and effective diagnostic kits for a range of common diseases, innovative drug delivery systems *The World Bank, Leveraging high technology to drive innovation and competitiveness in key export industries and building the Sri Lankan knowledge economy, The World Bank, Washington D.C (2009).

7 Environmental protection - nano-engineered materials can be used to remove pollutants Energy storage, production, and conversion - using nanotubes and nanoparticles to improve conversions efficiencies in solar photovoltaic technologies, transistors in power conversion equipment. Manufacturing - apparel with special niche and functional properties, next generation clothing etc.

8 3. Nanotechnology in the Asia-Pacific India Nano Mission Efficient Lighting (LED) and nanocatalysts Agriculture Water treatment Other high-tech applications China Public investment Nanomaterials Nanodevices Nanobiology Malaysia Material and Manufacturing Nanoelectronics and computer technology Life Sciences, Medicine and Health Rep. of Korea Electronics sector Graphene development Storage systems Nanomaterials New-generation solar cells Islamic Republic of Iran Scientific publications Energy storage Chemical Engineering

9 Nanotechnology in the Asia-Pacific Sri Lanka Nano-enhanced rubber products Basic nanotech applications Philippines Electronics and semiconductor Agricultural sector Pakistan Breakthrough coatings Advanced nano-biomaterials Nano-electronic devices Thailand Value added agricultural products Development of Thai Herbal Extract Value added Textiles Food processing and storage Indonesia Chemistry and materials Rich resources of minerals Nano-Devices

10 4. Issues for Consideration in Nanotechnology Ethical Implications fair distribution of benefits of technologies esp. those with humanitarian implications Relative investment in nanotechnology research vs. other areas Possibility of manufacturing jobs in developing nations to become obsolete as technologically advanced nations substitute traditional processes by nano-enabled ones? Legal Issues Intellectual property protection and licensing Civil liability issues Environmental Implications Certain sizes of nanoparticles can react with biological systems in a way that larger particles do not. Release of nanoparticles into the environment and their unintended impacts Nanotoxicology The need for developing skills in nanotechnology risk assessment

11 5. The Imperative for South South Cooperation in Strengthening R&D Management Capacity Nanotechnology is sometimes referred to as the harbinger of the next industrial revolution. Many developing nations not yet in a position to be able to take advantage of this technology. Multiple skill, financial, infrastructure, and policy issues need to be managed if developing nations are to take advantage of the benefits that this emerging technology can offer.

12 North-North platforms for the exchange of know-how and research collaboration are well established, countries of the South should ensure that they are not left out of these developments. Formation of South-South nanotechnology partnerships could help in the eventual formation of North-South research and business alliances. Collaboration between nanotechnology researchers in the South and the sharing of their experiences, best practices and research infrastructure could help to find solutions to problems faced by their societies. Success in collaborative initiatives could provide the foundation for commercializing research findings through both South-South and North- South partnerships.

13 6. APCTT s Nanotechnology Program Over the next years, nanotechnology will fundamentally transform science, technology, and society. However, to take full advantage of opportunities, the entire S&T community must set broad goals; creatively envision the possibilities for meeting societal needs; and involve all participants, including the general public, in exploiting them. Ref: M.C. Roco and W.C. Bainbridge, eds., Societal implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology: NSET Workshop Report, National Science Foundation, 12 (2001).

14 Rationale Nanotechnology s impact on many branches of science, engineering and medicine, now becoming almost ubiquitous Since nanotechnology has the potential to impact all products manufactured now and in the future, it has the potential to change the way we live. In the Asia-Pacific context, the challenge is to explore ways of using nanotechnology to help developing nations to accelerate inclusive economic development and improve the quality of life of all segments of society.

15 Timeline 2009: Asia Pacific policymakers meet in Colombo - promoting innovation in nanotechnology. Recommend setup of regional network of nanotechnology R&D institutions. 2011: Expert Group Meeting in Bangkok - Networking of R&D Institutions in Asia-Pacific to strengthen capacity of Nanotechnology R&D Management and Innovation. Recommends developing: a dedicated nanotech website as a regional information network; a database of tested and proven nanotechnology applications for commercialisation a database of researchers a repository of published reports capacity building programs for researchers 2013: (1) Manual on Critical Issues in Nanotechnology R&D Management developed by APCTT consultants; (2) Online Asia-Pacific Nanotechnology R&D Management Network; (3) National capacity building workshops

16 Program Elements Objective of APCTT s nanotechnology programme - to enable Asia-Pacific researchers and research managers gain insights and understanding of nanotechnology R&D management. Key issues: 1. Nanosafety, Standardization and Certification of Nanoproducts, 2. Protection and Valuation of Nanotechnology Intellectual Property (IP), and 3. Commercialization of R&D Results. Such understanding is critical for fostering research collaboration between R&D institutes and industry and also among the participating member countries.

17 7. Programme Delivery Mechanisms A. Institutional capability building with active participation of target member countries. B. IT-enabled networking of institutions and cooperation mechanisms in specific technology sectors (biotechnology, nanotechnology, traditional medicine, renewable energy). C. Cooperation and partnership among member countries through sharing of experiences and lessons learnt. D. Inter-regional cooperation with other Economic and Social Commissions (ECA, ECE, ECLAC and ECWA) in other parts of the world.

18 8. Conclusions Priorities The R&D engine Cooperation, Networking & Collaborations Sharing of experience/best practices Capacity building of stakeholders Research commercialization The way ahead

19 Thank you! APCTT-ESCAP P.O. Box 4575, C-2, Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi , India Tel : Fax : Website : nanotech.apctt.org,