|
TOP scientists and researchers from six countries gathered in Singapore last week to help chart a path for research and development in the field of nanotechnology.
Called the Singapore Nano2 WTEC Workshop, it was convened by the World Technology Evaluation Centre on behalf of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States.
Singapore is just one out of five stops around the world where the NSF gathers opinions and feedback from scientists to document the most important accomplishments in the field over the past decade. Similar events will be held in Hamburg and Tokyo.
The “International study of the long-term impacts and future opportunities for nanoscale science and engineering” aims to get ideas from its participants on opportunities for nanotechnology for the next 10 years.
In 2000, the creation of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in the US sparked a vast worldwide increase in research and development in nanoscience and nanotechnology. This led to many discoveries and innovations in biomedical science and consumer electronics, such as organic light emitting diode display panels.
The NNI then set a vision for nanotechnology and created a framework for R&D programmes in the US, which many countries soon followed.
Leading the delegation from the US was Dr Mihail Roco, a senior adviser for nanotechnology from the NSF, who had formally proposed the NNI in 1999.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day Singapore workshop, he said much had happened in nanotechnology in the past decade: “The previous meeting was 10 years ago, when we completed the first nanotechnology research direction. Now we are preparing another vision for the next 10 years.”
Dr Roco called upon the participants to take a look at the broader picture across the different fields of nanotechnology, and to suggest different and unexpected ideas.
Areas discussed in the workshop included scientific infrastructure, R&D strategies, goals and opportunities, government policies, as well as nanotechnology’s impact on society.
Professor Freddy Boey from the Nanyang Technological University, which hosted the event, said there would be a lot more global connectivity in the next 10 years, especially in the area of nanotechnology, in which Singapore could play a part in R&D efforts.
The last Nano2 workshop will be held at the NSF next month, after which its findings will be compiled and released worldwide.
|