Programme director
Members of the NanoSchool Organising Committee
Representatives of our international partners
Colleagues
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is by no means an overstatement to describe nanotechnology as humankind’s great hope. The unique ability of nanotechnologies to construct strong new materials and provide startling new processes brings new hope in our quest to address a number of challenges confronting humankind.
Let’s take electricity as an example. It is vital to the progress of humankind and the quality of life, yet over two billion people live without it. The generation of electricity continues to be the greatest polluter of our precious atmosphere. Imagine if new nano-materials could dramatically reduce costs and make it possible for solar power to be flexible, like plastic.
Imagine a whole new range of powered devices and applications; smart windows, energy efficient LEDs and wireless controls, as well as highly efficient conductors and superconductors that could eventually replace current transmission facilities. Imagine nano-enabled super capacitors that create entirely new opportunities for local electricity storage and gradually lead to new distributed architectures for electricity grids.
Moreover, nanoscale fabrication, for hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cells, could make the dream of a hydrogen future a reality. Let’s look at water as another example. Billions of people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water. Nanotechnology promises to considerably improve decentralised water purification systems through the development of sensors for the detection of pathogens and chemical pollutants in water as well as the potential to remove these pollutants in a safe and affordable way. Equally important, nanotechnology promises to assist in the supply of water through the application of nano membranes in the desalination processes and even the possibility of cloud seeding.
Information technology is another area where the application of nanotechnology presents immense opportunities. The next wave of information technology development, “pervasive computing”, will be enabled by nano-technologies. Pervasive computing implies an environment in which the dominant communications device is a descendant of today’s smart-phone, capable of accessing diverse sensor networks and databases, and serving as a phone, broadband internet device, and video entertainment product. Like the current generation of broadband connected desktops, the pervasive computing device will always be turned on and always be connected to cyberspace. It will bring the power of broadband communications to the shopper, traveller, road warrior businessman and others on the go.
The inevitable march of electronics into the “nanocosm” will also make it possible to economically fit onto a single chip all the signal processing and sophisticated traffic management that high-speed fibre optics requires. These are among the most exciting and compelling developments in the rich history of science. A few years ago, when we launched the national nanotechnology strategy we pinned our hopes of realising the goal of the betterment of society on taking advantage of the potential of this technology. Very ambitious goals were set. Our aims, among others, were to provide clean water, and clean and reliable energy to all, and to improve our health system.
We committed ourselves to doing this cost effectively and we remain committed to these goals and focused on their realisation. We are greatly encouraged by the progress we have made in implementing our strategy. In a relatively short time we have set up two nanotechnology innovation centres meeting the highest international standards. We have put in place reliable equipment acquisition programmes, and research equipment is being placed at various research institutions. And we continue to fund research chairs in the field to enhance the generation of nanotechnology knowledge. These programmes, and a host of others, will help give effect to nanotechnology innovation and put us on course to realising the objectives of the strategy.
Also recently finalised, and ready for distribution, is our nanotechnology research plan, which helps map out the path to advancing these objectives by identifying the research questions which our nanotechnology research should address. We believe this document will be useful in guiding our nanotechnology endeavours towards attaining the desired results. All research institutions should ensure that their research strategies in nanotechnology are informed by this research plan. But, above and beyond this, we have to ask ourselves continuously “Are we doing enough?”
We might be tempted to pat ourselves on the back and say that with our very limited resources, which are miniscule compared to those of the highly developed countries, our efforts are very commendable. But are we doing enough? The latest nanotechnology opportunities report on high value products that would be enabled by nanotechnology forecasts a U$1,5 trillion market. And yes, undoubtedly our efforts have put us on course to claim a stake in that market. But, will our share be enough? Will the projected gradual increase in our funding levels enhance our ability to move expeditiously to advance the goals of the National Nanotechnology Strategy?
It is also of the utmost importance, as we press forward, that we do not neglect to involve society. We must do our best to carry ordinary people along and ensure that they are informed and play their part in these important deliberations. As recently as last month, Germany’s Federal Environment Agency released a background paper on nanotechnology that caused a furore, following sensational newspaper headlines like “Nanotechnology makes you sick!”, and “German environment agency warns against nanotechnology”. Of course it does no such thing, and the agency distanced itself from the coverage, saying there was nothing new in the report. But, there is a lesson for all of us in this.
Debates on new technologies are important and welcome, but they must be guided by correct and well researched information. So, I am pleased to report that in South Africa we have taken a proactive approach, and we have prioritised nanotechnology public awareness and education in the coming year, after the approval of the Nanotechnology public engagement plan. This plan will ensure that the public is not only aware of, but fully educated on, all aspects of nanotechnology, so that they can make well informed choices about the technology. We believe we must avoid confusion about this technology, which can easily occur, and through lack of knowledge and understanding, mar and prematurely suffocate what is otherwise a hugely promising development.
One of the measures that will put society at ease is a demonstration of our preparedness to deal with unintended consequences of the development of this technology. I believe that the measures we have put in place, including the nanotechnology health, safety and environmental research platform currently being established at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Nanotechnology Ethics Committee, that has been in existence for more than a year now, put us in an excellent position to deal with any unintended consequences of nanotechnology development and clearly demonstrate our intention to develop and apply nanotechnology in a responsible manner.
Ladies and gentlemen, as I talk about the progress of the nanotechnology programmes we have in place I am conscious of the fact that it is the knowledge we generate and its subsequent exploitation that will determine the extent of our success. Knowledge generation, and its continuous improvement, is critical if we are to prepare fertile ground for nanotechnology innovation.
That is the role interventions such as this wonderful NanoSchool are destined to play. It is another important and critical milestone in our quest to build a strong knowledge base. Its vision is to create a pool of nanoscientists sufficiently trained to conduct nanoscience and nanotechnology research, development and innovation activities. As such the South African NanoSchool will be one of the programmes we rely on strongly for human capital development in the field of nanotechnology.
It is for this reason that we worked so hard and did everything possible to ensure that the school is of a very high standard. We did that by, among others things, putting together a team of experts to lecture in the school and ensuring that the school programme is germane to the global discourse around nanotechnology. We believe that, with these efforts, the school is bound to deliver on its intended objectives. My appeal to the students who will be taking part in the school is that they make the most of it. We would also appreciate feedback from you on how best we can improve the process, so that subsequent schools set even higher standards.
The knowledge we will be acquiring through this school and its various research programmes is just the beginning. We have to put mechanisms and processes in place to take it further. Its successful exploitation is what really matters. So it is important to realise that we stand a better chance of successfully exploiting this knowledge when we meaningfully involve and engage industry stakeholders in the entire value chain.
This has a direct bearing on our greatest current concern, one that we share with our friends in Europe, as revealed in the recently released first implementation report of the nanosciences and nanotechnologies action plan for Europe, which is that South Africa, is experiencing the challenge of a shortage of private investment in nanotechnology research and industrial innovation. This situation threatens the success of our endeavours.
However, having recognised this reality, the department, together with the industry stakeholders, has begun developing mechanisms for the involvement of the industry in nanotechnology development. The recently held Nanotechnology Industry Indaba organised by the department, which resulted in the agreement to form a Nanotechnology Industry forum, was a welcome first step in this direction. We must apply ourselves vigorously to make sure that this initiative succeeds. It holds the key to our nanotechnology dream.
By the same measure, as we all know, one of the focus areas of this school is the advanced application of nanotechnology in water and health. This is an important focus, yet it is bound to fail if it is not structured to involve industry and to respond to their needs. Equally important is for industry to take advantage of initiatives such as this NanoSchool and ensure that their workforce is equipped to venture into what the editor of Nanotechnology Now refers to as “an age of sweeping and unpredictable change” which is likely to happen sooner and be greater in scope than most people are able to grasp.
I have high expectations for nanotechnology initiatives and high expectations for this school. A country with limited resources like ours has an obligation to maximise returns on every investment it makes, and the organisation of this NanoSchool is no exception. It has to deliver on its objectives. I have no reason to think that it will not do so; on the contrary, I am very upbeat and optimistic.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our international partners. It is through their efforts that we were able to organise this school. Throughout the planning process we have worked closely with wonderful people from Argentina and France, who helped us, not only to organise the school itself, but also helped put together the curriculum. I hope we will continue to work together, and to strengthen our relationships for the benefit of all. Your efforts are truly appreciated. The progress of, the India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) axis, in nanotechnology programmes is also truly commendable.
The IBSA forum has been very consistent in working to achieve the goal of developing this field of science in all three countries. It is through that commitment, that South Africa is now able to host this NanoSchool. Let us strive to maintain this wonderful spirit of working together. I am also pleased to acknowledge the good work of the organising committee and the curriculum committee. It is greatly appreciated, and I have no doubt that the impact of your work will continue for years to come.
The first uses of the concepts found in nanotechnology have been traced to a talk given by the physicist Richard Feynman to the American physical society at Caltech in December 1959 to 50 years ago. He said: “The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibility of manoeuvring things atom by atom. It is not an attempt to violate any laws, it is something, in principle, that can be done but in practice, it has not been done because we are too big.” For his work, and his foresight Feynman went on to win the Nobel Prize. And today we are no longer too big, and a whole new world of nanotechnology beckons us.
And, on that note, it is now my pleasure to declare this International NanoSchool open. I hope that all will derive maximum value from their participation.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
23 November 2009
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za/)
