ISLAMABAD, June 13: Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor has urged the industrial sector to make the most of the research being done in the field of nano-science and technology. The minister was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a two-days conference on nano-science and technology at the Comsats headquarters here on Monday.

He assured his government’s full support to the National Commission on Nano-Science and Technology (NCNST) in its efforts to encourage use of the new technology for industrial development.

During the last two years, he said, nano-research had picked up momentum. He urged the industrial sector to cooperate with the government institutions in focusing on research priorities, ensuring adequate training of scientists and engineers, and addressing public safety, environmental and national security concerns.

The minister said application of nano-science and technology could also help protect the country’s strategic interests.

Earlier, Professor Emeritus and National Commission on Nano- Science and Technology Chairman Dr N.M. Butt gave a brief resume of the ways in which the new science subjects and related technology would benefit the country.

He said he was looking forward to achieving coordination with the national organizations in related fields. Referring to recent progress in the field, he said during the last seven days, 21 new developments had been reported internationally. These developments, he said, were related to building nanotechnology- based power cells, addressing power needs in defence, industrial and consumer electronics, and manufacturing of bone materials for use in dentistry.

Nanotechnology was also used in anti-terrorism activities and rescue operations, Dr Butt said. He quoted from the 2005 European nano business survey which termed the new technology world’s largest indicator of business attitudes.

Research is underway to detect cancer and HIV cells and kill them using nanotechnology-based inoculations, he added.

— Jonaid Iqbal