The Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka and the Vision Group on Nanotechnology featured the Opening Plenary of the 5th Bangalore Nano Event at Hotel Lalit Ashok, Bangalore. The two day event features an Exhibition and Conference Sessions addressed by internationally acclaimed Speakers and Experts discussing a range of issues pertaining to Research, Technology Development, Skills Requirement, Institutions Involved, Risks Issues, Regulatory & Governance Structure, Investment and Collaborations between Academia, R&D & Industry.
The event began with a two minutes silence in memoriam of Shri I.K. Gujral, Former PM of India.
The key dignitaries at the opening plenary were Prof. C.N.R. Rao, FRS, National Research Professor; Linus Pauling Research Professor; Honorary President, JNCASR, Dr. K. Kasturirangan - Member (Science), Planning Commission, Government of India, Prof. Sir Richard Friend - Cavendish Professor of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK, Shri I.S.N. Prasad, IAS - Principal Secretary to Government, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, Prof. A.K. Sood - Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Dr. G. Sundararajan, of ARCI felicitated Dr. K Kasturirangan and requested him to release the “ARCI Directory” (Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials Directory) and Prof. Sir Richard Friend - Cavendish Professor of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK, Released the Compendium of 5th Bangalore Nano.
Speaking at the opening plenary, Shri I.S.N. Prasad, IAS - Principal Secretary to Government, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, said “it's an honour to be present amidst such a distinguished panel of scientists. They have done such excellent work and contributed the society. We believe that Bangalore and Karnataka are becoming a knowledge hub especially Bangalore, we have many institutes such as ISRO, DRDO, RRI etc., Bangalore has seen a major growth in knowledge based private sectors followed by biotech companies, Overall in Bangalore 400 R&D centres are present, both in department and private sectors. Bangalore has the largest number of PHDs and doctorate holders. Bangalore tops the science, technology and space sectors guided by Prof C.N.R Rao, he has been the chairman of vision group of science and technology and chairman of vision group of nano technology. He guides us on policies and programmes. His passion for science is unparalleled and he has been instrumental in encouraging Govt. as well as involving young scientists. The nano forum is one such platform where you can discuss amongst academia- research and industry.”
Introducing Dr. Kasturirangan, Shri I.S.N. Prasad, IAS said, “we are privileged to have Dr. Kasturirangan here at the opening plenary. He is a Member (Science) in the Planning Commission, Government of India, a Member of Upper House (RajyaSabha) of the Indian Parliament (2003-2009) and has been honoured with the highest Indian civilian awards, “Padma Shri”,“Padma Bhushan” and “Padma Vibhushan”. Dr. Kasturirangan has steered the Indian Space programme as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. Under his leadership, the programme witnessed several major milestones including the successful launching and operationalisation of the India's prestigious satellite launch vehicles, viz., the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.”
Introducing, Prof. Sir Richard Friend, Cavendish Professor of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK, Shri I.S.N. Prasad, IAS said, “He has developed the semiconductor physics of pi-conjugated organic polymers, and his research group has demonstrated that these materials can be used in wide range of semiconductor devices, including light-emitting diodes and transistors. We are honoured that he is here with us.”
Prof. A.K. Sood - Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, said, “As of the previous years this year too we have taken the advice of Prof CNR Rao. Bangalore nano is a tri-partition and a collaboration between research, academic fraternity and industry. This is the difference from other conferences we are keeping a balance between academia-industry- research & Govt. departments. The priority is nano-science leading to innovations and applications and we have chosen the programme to reflect all the aspects leading to growth of seed right from research to applications.”
“Nano technology is a an enabling technology that has a relevance to all the technology, keeping this in the mind we have chosen themes they are related in advanced materials, Healthcare and medicine, Aerospace and defence, Food and agriculture, Energy and environment.” he added.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. K. Kasturirangan, said, “Nano Technology has found relevance in Medicine, Agriculture, Healthcare, and Environment to name some. With the efforts of Prof. C.N.R Rao himself as the members of Karnataka Knowledge Commission they have been able to enrich the scene of Education & Research. The 12th Planning Commission has placed special importance for the growth is the field of Nano Technology by granting funding to aid research and education. India currently contributes for 3% of research output and has moved upwards from 9th position to 6th position in the field of Nano Technology.”
“Based on the 12th plan the economic growth is projected to be around 8-8.5%. The current growth pattern in the country suggests that India could be the 3rd largest economy in the world by 2012. The vision of Nano technology would be to help the country to attain faster and sustainable growth. The government wanted the growth to be increased by 2%, where in the Government will contribute to 1% of this and the rest will be covered by Private and Public sectors.”
Dr. R. Kasturirangan also informed that Prof. C.N.R Rao currently is in talks with the Government to boost Research outputs by Increasing research funding. Which in-turn will play a major role in boosting Innovation in the Sector. They are working with the Centre and State Governments to improve the research work, in future collaboration with foreign countries will also be sought for improvements in the field. Karnataka has always been in the forefront of Education & Research.
He also mentioned that himself and Prof. C.N.R Rao were instrumental in providing enhanced Scholarship to help students to pursue their studies Basic Education and in the field of Research which will otherwise not be affordable.
To help Agriculture, Chemical, Aerospace, Energy, Medicine, Health, Environment Nano technology has an important role. Benefits of the Research to be pushed into industries recognized by the Planning Committee and has asked the government to implement the same.
Also in the 12th Planning Commission the funding for Science and Technology will be doubled in comparison to the previous plan. He thanked the opportunity of being invited and concluded his speech.
Prof. Sir Richard Friend started by thanking the delegates, he said that he was present two years earlier in the same Bangalore Nano event, and the event were prized valuables. He said Bangalore is of importance in having World Class Institutes like JNCSAR and IIsc. Young Scientists are of great quality and the calibre of students coming out from the city are of higher standards.
“Smart people are vectors for Innovations’’ he commented. He said Britain was the 1st in Industrialization and also currently 1st in De-Industrialization unfortunately. Smart people are important for reconstruction process.
He also cited the example of the Island where his University in Cavendish, this being an Island of approximately 100,000 inhabitants there are more than 1000 companies that have been set-up as a result of their initiative to rebuild skilled workers along the path of Industrialization , this attracts people seeking employment in the locality. He said that picking up Science in Infancy and helping the companies make a start-up and setting up of companies and cited that the same is applicable to Bangalore in the field of research and Industry.”
He said that Nano technology is essential for the 21st century, intelligent usage of Raw materials and resources can be accomplished by this. Silicon Road map is of current significance in the field like Silicon chips, solar cells etc. Solar cells in thousands for energy generation will aid in intelligent use of resources developments like batteries, solar cells, water filters, membranes are sectors where future advancements are to be made. Creating the assembly and the structured working functions of these components together pose a challenge in the field of Nano technology.
He concluded by saying “Large companies are now been replaced with smaller companies, integrating them in developmental process like project designing. Quality of people that are required for the sustaining and for future growth has to be of high standards. which Bangalore has in plenty.”
Prof. C.N.R.Rao and Dr. K. Kasturirangan awarded the 5th Bangalore Nano National Award 2012 to Prof. G.U. Kulkarni, Chemistry & Physics of Materials Unit and DST Unit on Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.” Prof. G U Kulkarni has presented several international papers and has authored 11 books and has 2 patents under his name along with mentoring numerous research scholars. In recognition for his work in the field of Nano Technology, he was conferred with the 5th Bangalore Nano National Award.
Accepting his award Prof. G. U. Kulkarni said that his output both in Quality and Quantity in the field of Nano-Technology is still “Nano.” He thanked his teachers and mentors like Prof. C.N.R.Rao for their support. He also thanked his colleagues in JNCASR namely Prof. G. Rao and Prof. Ramaswamy.
Prof. C. N. R. Rao in his address said, “many exciting things are happening in the field of science, especially in the field of nano technology. He cited examples of many possible application of graphene, as heat generated from this material can be used efficiently without being wasted. There's enormous amount of heat is wasted which otherwise could be reduced by use of thermo electrical material, as they contain nano material and has the best efficiency. When gold and copper particle put in water are exposed to sunlight, the sunlight is absorbed by the nano particle and the nano particle gets heated up, but this heat has to be given out to heat the water and this can be harnessed by the use of nano technology.”
“The tremendous growth of nano technology is tremendous around the world and particularly Israel, where they have an event every year called nano Israel where conference, presentations, exhibitions, model presentations and poster presentations take place. The President of Israel has great interest in nano projects, supporting and investing in nano projects.” he said.
Continued Prof. Rao, “One of the key areas which being researched and developed is Nano Nose. This device is used to detect breast cancer as this device identifies the unique molecule which is present and breathed out only by a breast cancer patient. This device gives very good result and works very well. Within the span of five to six years pure nano technology will be used in hospitals. In the field of medicine 'tissue engineering' is already been in used to treat 7th degree burn and has made an unbelievable progress in helping mankind. He extended his appreciation to the Govt of Karnataka as this is the only state in India which funds and supports science. He further added that he was hopeful for the increase of budget to 1 lakh crore for science projects. At the end he concluded by quoting,” What India requires is people who want to develop new technology, who enjoys science and who enjoys innovation.”
For more information on Bangalore Nano 2012, visit: www.bangalorenano.in
