National Mission on Nano Science and Technology

The National Mission on Nano Science and Technology, launched in May 2007, is a pioneering initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. This umbrella program serves as a cornerstone for propelling India's growth in the revolutionary field of nanotechnology.

Mission Objectives

• Advance Research & Development: Fostering cutting-edge research across diverse areas like:

  1. Nanomedicine for targeted drug delivery and disease diagnosis.

  2. Nanoelectronics for miniaturized and efficient devices.

  3. Nanomaterials for clean energy generation and environmental remediation.

  4. Nanoagriculture for improved crop yields and sustainable farming practices.

• Infrastructure Development: Establishing a network of:

  Sophisticated characterization tools for material analysis at the nanoscale (e.g., Transmission Electron Microscopes, Atomic Force Microscopes).

  Advanced fabrication facilities for creating nanostructures and devices.

• Human Resource Development

  Supporting fellowships and training programs to nurture a generation of skilled scientists and engineers in nanotechnology.

  Promoting interdisciplinary research collaborations between institutions.

• Promoting Applications

  Encouraging industry participation for the development of commercially viable nanotechnology-based products.

  Supporting pilot projects and start-ups to bridge the gap between research and real-world applications.

• International Collaboration

  Fostering partnerships with leading international research institutions and laboratories for knowledge exchange.

  Participating in global initiatives to address challenges and opportunities in nanotechnology.

Impact and Achievements

1. Propelling India to a leading position: India has emerged as one of the top 5 countries globally in terms of scientific publications in nanoscience and technology.

2. Skilled Workforce: The mission has significantly contributed to developing a skilled workforce of researchers and entrepreneurs in the field.

3. Technological Advancements: Research funded by the mission has led to significant advancements in various nanotechnology applications.

Challenges and Future Directions

Public Awareness: The mission can focus on increasing public awareness about nanotechnology and its potential benefits, addressing concerns related to environmental and health risks.

Regulatory Framework: Development of a robust regulatory framework to ensure the safe and responsible development and application of nanotechnology.

Commercialization: The mission can further incentivize industry participation to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, accelerating the development of marketable nanotechnology-based products.

Conclusion

The National Mission on Nano Science and Technology has been instrumental in propelling India's growth in nanotechnology. By fostering research, infrastructure development, and human resource creation, the mission paves the way for a future driven by groundbreaking nanotechnological solutions.