This TWO day event will feature top global intellects, entrepreneurs and organisations in the field of Nanotechnology. Bangalore Nano 2011 is themed “Nanoscience and Technology at the Cutting Edge”. The International conference will be attended by over 450 delegates addressed by over 60 speakers, bringing together some of the world’s leading experts and practitioners in Nanotechnology, covering topics such as Nano Medicine and Biotechnology; Advanced Nano Materials; Nano in Energy and Environment; Nano Electronics and Microsystems amongst others.
The Bangalore Nano National Award 2011 was presented to Dr. G Sundararajan - Director, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad. The previous recipients of the award were Prof. C.N.R. Rao in 2007, Prof. Dipankar Chakravorty in 2008 and Prof. Ajay K Sood in 2010.
The tradeshow at the 4th Bangalore Nano features 25 exhibitors from across the globe. Cumulatively 140 organizations from 12 countries like Russia, Germany, USA, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Poland are participating.
The event is also showcasing 115 Posters done by Young Scientists and Researchers from Institutions like IISc, JNCASR, IITs, NCBS and international Universities.
Speeches of all the dignitaries.
Giving the inaugural speech Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, National Research Professor; Linus Pauling Research Professor; Honorary President, JNCASR; Chairman, Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India; Chairman, Vision Group on Science & Technology and Vision Group on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka and Chief Mentor of Bangalore Nano, said, “the little seed that was sowed four years ago is no more a small plant now. It has grown into a tree-Bangalore Nano. It is a national event now.” “Being a citizen of Bangalore and Karnataka, I am happy to take this initiative.” He said that Karnataka is the foremost state taking keen interest in the field of education in science. He congratulated the government and said, “Every time I speak to dignitaries in New Delhi, I tell them that I wish all states across India follow Karnataka in empowering education in science and engineering.”
He said “Nano was just an idea. About 20 to 25 years , I was teaching at an university, IIT Kanpur, on the topic ‘ the Avogadro's Number’. I remember telling the class on how large the number was, 6 * 10^23 ( six into ten to the power twenty three). A young boy asked the question, “ Gold shines , how many minimum atoms are required to keep the gold shining?” It was a brilliant and interesting question. I researched, from 500 to 300 to 200 atoms. At 200 atoms, the gold did not shine, it was a just a metal. That one question set me into research in Nano technology.”
Prof. C N R Rao said, “Nano technology has a very big future. Four years ago, a discovery was made on Graphene The Nobel prize for physics was awarded last year, for the research done on graphene. It is very powerful in Carbon based electronics. Graphene stores hydrogen. Initiation and mimic of graphene could find necessary applications in Energy sector, and the Environment.”
Prof. C.N.R. Rao, said, “In the US, a large grant of $120 million was sanctioned to CalTech and Berkely for the production of hydrogen. In principle, hydrogen can be used to run cars, planes, and generation of electricity. He believes that Nano technology is of great importance to the people.”
“Plants decompose water using a nano manganese and produce energy for plants. Artificial Photosynthesis, if done in labs, has tremendous possibilities in electronics. But there are several challenges in this field.” he added.
He said, “Being a scientist, hope is the key for us. Stressing the importance of Hope. He said, “the day you lose hope, you loose everything. What is the point of living, then?”
He concluded by saying “I am happy that today I'm amongst people with hope – students, educationists, industries and businesses. I welcome this meeting with hope.”
Shri M.N. Vidyashankar, IAS - Principal Secretary to Government, Dept. of IT, BT and S&T, and e-Governance, Government of Karnataka said, “Bangalore Nano is a key event in bringing out new ideas, top of the line global speakers, enhancing personal skills, rapid progress in devices and components. One of the main objective was to create a source of inspiration among scientists, Engineers, Industrialists and students. It's a “matter of pride”. Bangalore Nano has the potential to create a multi-trillion dollar market and overcome several challenges in technology oriented industries.”
Appreciating Prof. C.N.R Rao's contribution he said, Prof.C.N.R Rao is a visionary, par excellence, roll model for the state. He is the USP of Bangalore Nano Event. It's also an honour to have Stuart Anthony who is a well known face in Bangalore Nano events. He has attracted several scientists, engineers and students. Acknowledging Prof. Ajay K. Sood's contributions he said he has been an integral part to Bangalore nano since inception.”
Dr. G. Sundararajan - Director, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI) received the Bangalore Nano National award for his support, contribution and commitment in the Nano field and its growth in Bangalore. Dr. G Sundararajan has played an important role in the growth, development and Research of Nano Technology. The Award was given by Shri. Anand Vasant Asnotikar - Hon’ble Minister for Science & Technology and Fisheries Government of Karnataka and Prof. C.N.R. Rao. Dr. Sundararajan thanked Bangalore Nano for honoring him with the National award. He said that he receives the award for all his colleagues’ in ACIR. He thanked Prof.C.N.R Rao for making him part of the Bangalore Nano mission. He also thanked all industrial partners for taking part in nano technology event. He said that he will live up to the award in the coming years. The award is a responsibility to live up to expectations.
Shri. Anand Vasant Asnotikar - Hon’ble Minister for Science & Technology and Fisheries Government of Karnataka readout the speech on behalf of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda. Said, Karnataka is one of the pioneering states in the country in providing necessary ecosystem for the development of knowledge based industries like information technology; IT enabled industries; bio-technology and strong research and development of institutions and earned a place in the global market as the knowledge and technology capital of the country.
Karnataka has the distinction of bringing policies for IT, biotechnology, semiconductor and electronic hardware manufacturing for the first time in the country to give impetus for the growth of these sectors. the state will shortly release a policy on animation and gaming, to give boost to this promising sector. Leveraging this experience, we will bring out a nanotechnology policy to define the road map for sustainable growth of this sunrise sector.
Bangalore has always been a trend setter in encouraging new waves of industrial development, Bangalore has reached iconic stature. I am happy to say that the city is acclaimed as one of the top technopolis in the world.
Given the enabling nature of nanotechnology and its ability to coverage with other technologies, it has the potential to address key development related to challenges in diverse sectors like energy, water, agriculture, health, environment. significant spin off of nanotechnology is development of diagnostic sensors and lab on a chip technology which may soon become an important part in improving global healthcare.
“I call upon our scientists to come up with tangible nanotechnology based solutions for food security, energy, security, water purification, medicine and health care and waste management.”
Government of Karnataka proposes to establish a state of the art Nano Park near Bangalore international airport. The proposed nano park will have: a Nano Incubation Center, Science and Technology based Business Incubator to incubate early stage entrepreneurial ventures, Physical infrastructure and support systems that are necessary for business incubation center, Nanotechnology Industrial Cluster with world class facilities, Centers of Excellence for nanotech professional education to develop domain expertise. “Expression of Interest” has already been called for development of Nano Park on a Public-Private-Partnership mode. This initiative will give a major fillip to the nanotechnology industry to blossom in the state in the coming years.
Another important step taken by the Government is providing about an acre of land for setting up of “Nano Lab” by the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research in the neighboring premises of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Energy and Development at Jakkur.
The civil works of Indian Institute of Nano Science and Technology have been taken-up. The Institute is being established with funding support from Government of India under the Nano Mission at an estimated cost of Rs. 1000 million, for which Government of Karnataka has already allocated 14 acres on Tumkur Road for locating this institute. I request the intervention of Professor C.N.R. Rao in moving the DST, Government of India, to fasten the development work.
State Government will certainly provide enhanced budgetary support for Nano initiatives, Vision Group on Science and Technology activities and for other science and technology activities in the state in the forthcoming budget for financial year 2012-13.
The Government will not spare any effort to be in the forefront in the nano technology revolution as well as to make Bangalore the “Citadel of Nanotechnology” in the state.
I am sure the participants will have plenty of opportunities for knowledge sharing, technology up-gradation, networking and business ventures during this conference. I invite the interested industrialists and start-up companies to establish their ventures in the proposed nano-park.
Prof. Ajay K. Sood - Chairman, Conference Executive Committee, 4th Bangalore Nano, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. said“It is a pleasure for me to be associated with Bangalore nano from the beginning. We try to showcase that Karnataka is being a leader in this field. “Bangalore Nano strives to bring partnerships between various groups – researchers, innovators, field of education, industry, and businesses under one roof. This is the new era to realize and incorporate technology into a new venture.” he added.
He continued saying, “We, in each of the sessions, encompass new themes, tilts, and hope, encouraging fresh minds and fresh people. Nano technology is applicable in fields of nano electronics, medicine, biology, education, and public. We have to be sensitive to the issues of HR and other social issues. In the next few years we have to be the leaders in using technology for society. The unique aspect is that we emphasize on ‘Nano for the young’, excite their minds and imagination, and engage young people. Also, Nano technology gives a lot of opportunities to the business and industries.” The tutorials was a success and had a huge response. It benefited a lot of people. There will be awards distributed for 5 young people tonight who are currently doing their PHD program to nurture Nano in their countries. I thank Prof. C.N.R. Rao for his advices and leadership role. He concluded by saying, “What Bangalore Nano is today is because of Prof. C.N.R Rao.”
Dr. Stuart S.P. Parkin - IBM Fellow; Director, IBM-Stanford Spintronic Science & Applications Center (SpinAps); IBM Almaden Research Center, USA, said, “Bangalore is the center for nano technology in India, but it is slightly facing few problems of getting water,few raw materials etc. Nano has been a part of IBM corporation and working hard to make it a successful one. IBM is very innovative at heart. The new material, automatic layer, is largely available or exists in nature.”
Prof. Anthony K. Cheetham, FRS, Goldsmiths' Professor of Materials Science, Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, UK said, I ensure that I come to Bangalore to attend all the conferences. Every year I take back unforgettable moments. The nano technology event has grown from a small event to a big international event. It has developed year-on-year. Several countries like USA, japan, Australia etc have also done much in the field of nano technology and several other countries are also giving importance to Nanotechnology.”
He continued saying that “Prof. CNR Rao, till now, has achieved and done lot of great work in nanotechnology and the benefits can be reaped soon. This nano event helps in bringing together all the wonderful scientists from around India as well as the world. Nano technology and Bangalore have been synonymous with each other. Nano technology is like the heart - it is of great importance to the society. It is also one of the most exciting streams of science. He concluded by saying the “this kind of conference will be very beneficial to young people.”
Shri. Jagdish Patankar - MD, MM Activ Sci-tech Communications expressed his sincere gratitude to Prof. C.N.R Rao and said “Science and Technology is always about the future and not about the past. Bangalore Nano is mainly to encourage research development. It is not easy to talk about Nanotechnology is just 2 days, the subject is very very vast. He thanked Prof. Ajay K Sood for making it possible. He also thanked all the members of Bangalore Nano and the dignitaries present and said “the event can only grow further and become much bigger.”
