SWABI, Jan 18: Result-oriented research is key to achieving a breakthrough in the field of nano-technology and the importance of nano-science would increase manifold in the near future.

This was stated by Prof John H. Weaver of the University of Illinois, USA in a lecture on "Nano Materials and Structures" at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology on Tuesday.

Prof Weaver said that nano-technology is about materials and systems which exhibit physical, chemical and biological properties, phenomena and process due to their size. He said nano-technology is an understanding of atomic scale inter-action and enabling technology.

The United States, he said, had been spending $4 billion on nano-technology education and has given much importance to it because future belongs to it. He dwelt on the historical perspective on how nano-technology emerged and why its demand has been increasing in present rapidly changing technological world.

He discussed in detail the knowledge-driven material and nano-materials development; material by design; integration of organic- inorganic elements; characterization tools; effects of hyperbole and health hazards.

About the challenges, he went through synthesis; size selection; stabilization; characterization; need for new tools; integration into microscope systems and communication with the public.

He also spoke about the futuristic applications of the nano-technology and nano-science and its importance and vitality, stressing on working for new development in this field.

Prof Dr Fazal A. Khalid, Dean of the Faculty of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering said science and technology is very important driver for the economy of each country.