Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor has hailed the new Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Nanomaterials Industrial Development Facility (NIDF). “The Nanomaterials Industrial Development Facility is an important milestone in a long innovation journey,” she said. “As we look forward to the impact that the Nanomaterials Industrial Development Facility is likely to have on economic growth, our department will continue to promote public- and private-sector investment in research and development (R&D).

“The [NIDF] will provide the capabilities for the industrial-scale production of nanostructures and nano-applications required for industrial testing,” she pointed out. “It provides a unique technology and product development capability for South Africa with respect to nanostructures. It is the culmination of a long-term investment in R&D in nanotechnology as an emerging research area.”

Regarding the development of nanotech- nology in this country, the DST follows the National Nanotechnology Strategy, published in 2005. (Pandor suggested that this may now have to be updated.) This sought to use nanotechnology to address social issues regarding energy, health and water, and increase the competitiveness of the country’s strategic industries. The latter were considered to be advanced materials and manufacturing, chemicals and bioprocessing, and mining and minerals.

The next year (2006) saw the development of an implementation plan, which was composed of four elements. These were human capital development, infrastructure, innovation and responsible development. As a result, two Nanotechnology Innovation Centres were established, one each at the CSIR and the minerals beneficiation science council (research institute), Mintek. These both house advanced equipment which would cost too much for universities to buy on their own.

“These centres have made a significant contribution to nanotechnology in our country and abroad,” she highlighted. “Established in 2007, the centres have made great progress. We’ve had significant growth of this science of nanotechnology in our country. This is largely due to the DST and the science councils. If it [were not] for the DST, we wouldn’t be where we are today. This [investment] has led to the establishment of world-class nanotechnology facilities.”

The DST’s nanoscience and nanotechnology initiatives are the National Nanotechnology Equipment Programme, the Nanotechnology Flagship Programme and the Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Research Chairs at Universities. One of the results of the nanotechnology equipment programme has been the creation of the Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, a world-class facility at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The Flagship Programme has so far seen R47-million invested in various projects. The research chair initiative has resulted in the creation of six chairs for nanotechnology-related research at six universities.

Nanotechnology is also one of the sectors benefiting from the R500-million Industry Innovation Partnership, which seeks to incentivise industry to invest in R&D. “Established in 2013, it was then intended to be a three-year initiative in the 2013/16 medium-term expenditure framework period,” noted Pandor. “It incentivises industry R&D programmes intended to maintain and expand our export market share. South Africa has to expand its export potential enormously. We are importing far too much!”

Pandor delivered the keynote address at the official opening of the NIDF at the CSIR, in Pretoria, on December 3.