Centres
26 November 2007
Nanotechnology has taken the world of science by storm â small wonder, since
it potentially holds the key to new materials with extraordinary properties.
Such materials could lead to the development of new technologies that could
revolutionise the quality of life of the citizens of South Africa.
Examples such as highly accurate and sensitive medical diagnostic devices,
new ways of disease therapy, and the monitoring and remediation of basic water
supplies are just a few areas that have been identified where nanoscience and
nanotechnology can make an impact.
To ensure that South Africa remains competitive with the international
research community in this fast-developing field, the country's nanoscience and
nanotechnology effort is being co-ordinated at national level by the Department
of Science and Technology (DST) through its National Nanotechnology
Strategy.
Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena launched South Africa's
first two national nanotechnology innovation centres at the Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria earlier today.
The two nanotechnology innovation centres have been established at the CSIR
and Mintek. Activities at these centres are strongly aligned with the DST's
National Nanotechnology Strategy.
Minister Mangena said South Africa as a developing nation has a lot to
benefit from nanotechnology. "We therefore have to create an environment
conducive to harnessing the potential benefits of this promising field of
science," he said.
Minister Mangena said these centres should take us closer to using
nanotechnology to address some of our social and economic challenges. "Theirs
will not be blue sky research but one with identified, tangible measurable.
They will have to be at the forefront, the tone-setters and catalysts of the
country's research and development programme in Nanotechnology," added the
Minister.
The focus of the CSIR centre, the National Centre for Nano-structured
Materials, is on the design and modelling of novel nano-structured materials
while the centre at Mintek focuses on water, health, mining and minerals. These
areas have been identified in the National Nanotechnology Strategy as key in
the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology in order to effect social
development.
Both centres will have a strong focus on human capital development by
training and developing young scientists who will stimulate growth in South
Africa's emerging nanotechnology industry.
Daven Compton, Head of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Mintek expressed
his pride at Mintek's selection to host one of these centres. "We are confident
that the Mintek consortium will be able to build on to its existing strengths
to, ultimately, provide nanotechnology-based products that will find commercial
favour in the global arena," stated Compton.
The Mintek consortium consists of the DST, the Medical Research Council, the
Water Research Commission, the universities of Johannesburg, the Western Cape
and Rhodes.
"Through the synergies achieved by means of this powerful partnership, the
DST / Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC) will initially have three
focal areas which will be represented in the fields of sensor, biolabel and
water nanotechnology," said Compton.
In its first three years, the CSIR-hosted National Centre for
Nano-structured Materials (NCNSM) will have the following research focus:
* fabrication of selected novel nano-structured materials for application in
solar cells, printed electronic devices, bio-sensors and nano-polymers,
* synthesis and characterisation of quantum dots with application in medical
sensors, solid state lighting and optical devices,
* synthesis of polymer nano-composites for a variety of applications,
* synthesis of nano-structured materials for specific energy related
applications,
* materials modelling and simulation with the aim of understanding and
predicting the fundamental properties of nano-materials.
Suprakas Sinha Ray, chief researcher and leader at the NCNSM says, "We are
still in the initial wave of nanotechnology, in which most of the
nanotechnology-based products on the market are linked to defence and national
security applications or to sporting goods and consumer-convenience items, is
currently being experienced."
Within five to ten years, sophisticated electronic devices that use
nanoscale circuitry and memory could however be expected. After ten to fifteen
years, the introduction of pharmaceutical products, drug delivery, and
health-monitoring devices will begin. Beyond the scope of our current
conception, perhaps thirty to forty years ahead, completely new forms of
devices and processes will emerge.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
26 November 2007
Source: SAPA
