Nanotech meet calls for more lab-industry links

The definition of 'nanoscale' is changing every day to accommodate ever shrinking sizes in this 'science of miniatures'. Indian scientists at a recent national meet expressed concerned that the lack of research facilities and industry resources might be slowing down the pace of translational nanoscience in the country.

The meet brought together the nanoscience industry and scientific community, and the most common question being asked in its several sessions were, "Where's the link between the two?"

According to C. N. R. Rao, eminent scientist and chairman of the science advisory committee to the Prime Minister of India, the bridge between the two communities can only be created if there are no red tapes to navigate. "All India needs to do is liberalise," he said in his inimitable style. "I tell all my friends in the bureaucracy that we are the most bureaucratic country in this world. We should allow our scientists to become entrepreneurs. Science can't just happen in universities," he observed.

Since the rate of technology transfer from the lab to the market is fairly fast in the case of nanoscience, creating bureaucratic bottlenecks for scientists only means their scientific work becomes valueless in no time. "Nanoscience is yesterday's science delivered today," he said citing the example of MIT professor Robert Langer, who has set up a number of companies that very successfully transfer science from the institute campus to the marketplace.

When a student of undergraduate biotechnology asked him what she could do when she finished her studies, Rao said he was strictly against specialization at the primary level. "Students must have a wider training in basic sciences at the undergraduate level before specializing in subjects like biotechnology or nanotechnology since these sciences are interdisciplinary and need a sound understanding of all the sciences," he said at the meet jointly organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and India's ministry of science and technology on September five.

FICCI secretary general Amit Mitra also pointed out that the Indian government was taking a long time in passing the equivalent of the US Bayh-Dole Act that is expected to encourage university patenting in India. "Unfortunately, the act has not yet been passed in India. We are looking forward to it," he said.

Former science secretary and chairman of FICCI's science and technology committee V. S. Ramamurthy said India's Nano Mission worth over Rs 1000 crore launched last year had impacted the country's capacity building in a big way. "But while publications in this area have gone up substantially, the weak links between the labs and industry is still a thing of concern," he said.

V. Rao Aiyagari, adviser and member-secretary in the department of science and technology echoed his view. "India is considered a good destination for nanotech research and development. It should now become a good destination for nanotech products as well," he said. With this in mind, the government had allocated certain portion of the nanotech mission for use as start-up grants for new industries, he added.

Y. P. Kumar, head of the international cooperation division of the department of science and technology said Indian needed a roadmap to meet the industry's appetite. "Lots of research and development centres are being set up in India. This will greatly benefit the industry," he pointed out.