SA industry to benefit from new nanotechnology centre

15th January 2016

By: Keith Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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The Nanomaterials Industrial Development Facility (NIDF), a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which was launched early last month, marks the start of the next phase in the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology in South Africa. So affirmed DST-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre director Professor Suprakas Sinha Ray.

“The first phase was to establish the scientific infrastructure,” he reported. The DST-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre was set up in November 2007. “The second phase focuses on how to convert what science has developed to have an [industrial] impact and how to translate our strong science base to industry.” That required the setting up of a “facility that takes the science we developed in the past phase to industry; The third phase – that is the dream: where do we want to go?”

A strong nanoscience base was set up during Phase 1. From 2007 to 2013 the focus was on Blue Sky research, because this was a new field of science. This period included the setting up of a facility to characterise nanomaterials. Phase 2 saw the development of nanoparticles, polymer nanocomposites, the start of fabrication of devices using nanotechnology and the expansion of characterisation activities. Human capital development also became a major activity. For Phase 3, the aim is to develop integrated nano- additives and more polymer nanocomposites, develop nanodevices, develop the local industry and set up a training centre.

“We have [developed] a number of products,” he reported. “We’ve registered three products; we’ve started to sell these products. We [also] have one prototype.” The institution has also registered three patents and is in the process of resisting seven more. It also has three provisional patents and has submitted applications for a further three.

The Nanotechnology Innovation Centre has, since 2007, trained 14 postdoctoral fellows, 26 PhDs and 22 master’s students. Currently, it has ten postdoctoral fellows and 17 PhD students. It has a staff of close to 73 people, and about 90% of its science, engineering and technical staff are black and some 50% are women.

Staff at the centre have so far produced 340 primary articles in international journals and ten reviewed articles, also in international journals. Fourteen articles were chosen as cover stories by these journals. Staff members have also made 65 presentations in national and international workshops and conferences. Ray himself has been ranked as one of the world’s leading chemists.

The centre has developed close cooperation with other local and international institutions and companies. “We don’t have many collaborations but we have solid collaborations. We want quality, not quantity,” he stated.

“This [the NIDF] is hosted by the CSIR, but industry can use it, universities can use it,” highlighted Ray. “At this facility, we’re developing new products and processes for industry. We’re broadening the range of existing products. We do prototyping, testing and characterisation of advanced materials. We do market development (not to be confused with marketing). We promote the development of industrial skills.” For example, “[w]e are developing a processing technology, a new technology, an environmental technology, that helps nanoparticles disperse through material,” he cited. “We want to export this technology overseas as well.”

“A top class nanoscience research platform has been established,” he concluded. “We are partnering with industry to translate research and development into commercialised products and technologies. We are accelerating our journey towards industrial impact.”

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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