The Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai will set up a world class nano research and development centre to promote nanotechnology in the country.
The IIT Nano Centre will have fabrication facility in addition to scientific and structural characterisation facilities, R&D dean Prof Kartik Khilar said on Sunday.
IIT currently has 50 faculty members working on various general areas of nanotechnology like nano electronics, nano materials, nano biotechnology, micro electromechanic system and Nano electromechanic system, he said.
The details of the centre are being worked out and are expected to be ready in a couple of years, Khilar added.
"We have been doing lot of R&D in the nanotech field, but when we want to transfer it to any industry, we need to translate the lab technology to the field scale and such centre will be of great use to the technologists doing research," he said.
Of late, Indian industry is showing interest in nanotechnology and "it is our duty to help them by improving our technology transfer skill in nanotechnology," Khilar added.
Speaking at the symposium -- Role of Chemical Engineering in Nanotechnology -- at IIT-Bombay, organised by the Chemical Engineering Association, the chairman and managing director of Yash Management and Satellite Ltd said that they are planning to set up a unit in the country to manufacture the nano tubes with an initial cost of Rs 8 crore (Rs 80 million).
"There are only 13 companies all over the world to manufacture nano tubes used in television and VCD monitors and we have been importing so far," he said.
"We need more cooperation in R&D from IITs in the country," he added.
Dr P N Pandit, advisor, Yashnotech, said that carbon is one of the most versatile elements and is capable of forming endless number of compounds, because of its tetrahedral bonding characteristics.
The current method for the manufacture of carbon nanotubes is to have an electric discharge between graphite rods in an inert atmosphere and this method gives both single-walled and multi-walled nano tubes, he said.
Pandit also said a major application of nanostructures is seen in the form of Ayurvedic medicines. Metal oxides of gold, silver, copper and mercury are used in medicines in Ayurveda.
