Government announces three Nano Tech centers

Bangalore

November 13th, 2007

The Government of India would establish three Institutes of Nano Science
Technology in Bangalore, Kolkata and Mohali for the research and development in
the field of nanotechnology.

The Government has allocated Rs 100 crore for each of these three centers,
according to T Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology,
Government of India.

The Institute in Bangalore will be located near Tumkur Road, and will be
jointly set-up by Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)
and the Indian Institute of Science. The Karnataka government has pledged its
support to the project. It has already allotted 15 acres of land for
establishing the institute.

The setting up of these institutes is part of the Department of Science and
Technology's Nano Mission, which was launched early this year. The department
would invest Rs. 1,000 crore for five years on the mission.

"Through the mission, we are trying to focus on research and introduce
nanotechnology as a course in various educational institutions," said
Ramasami.

While this is the first time that India would have centers for
nanotechnology, 50-60 groups are already working on the technology in the
country.

Ramasami said that 15 of the nanotechnology groups are doing well and the target
by the department is to raise the figure to 50-60 units.

"For this, we should have 150 groups working on nanotechnology in the
country. If you have 150 groups working on a single technology, then that's a
critical mass." The increase in number would elevate the quality of the
technology in India, said Ramasami.