The work being done by researchers from the Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology at the Asian Institute of Technology is nothing short of astounding. With extremely limited and unreliable funding, the group is applying techniques from nature (biomimicry) to pioneer what they call ‘poor man’s nanotechnology’. Areas of application include the development of dye-sensitized solar cells, super-hydrophobic surfaces and antimicrobial systems, as well as inexpensive methods for desalination and hydrogen generation. The Centre’s is showing how a little ‘natural’ ingenuity, combined with a collaborative mindset, can overcome the belief that small budgets are a barrier to ground-breaking nanotechnology research.
Book: Nanotechnology and Global Sustainability. by Donald Maclurcan. Taylor and Francis., 2012.
In an interview by NanoScienceWorks.org on his latest book, author Donnie Maclurcan mentions bottom-up science approaches in Thailand.
Excerpt:
NanoScienceWorks.org: Your book also presents an innovative “bottom-up” approach to sustainable nanotechnology going on in Thailand. Tell us a little about it, and what can researchers in large industrial countries learn from this approach.
Dr. Maclurcan: The work being done by researchers from the Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology at the Asian Institute of Technology is nothing short of astounding. With extremely limited and unreliable funding, the group is applying techniques from nature (biomimicry) to pioneer what they call ‘poor man’s nanotechnology’. Areas of application include the development of dye-sensitized solar cells, super-hydrophobic surfaces and antimicrobial systems, as well as inexpensive methods for desalination and hydrogen generation. The Centre’s is showing how a little ‘natural’ ingenuity, combined with a collaborative mindset, can overcome the belief that small budgets are a barrier to ground-breaking nanotechnology research.
The Thai experience provides useful examples for researchers in the Global North to consider ways to reduce raw material use and energy input in nanotechnology R&D. The case study may also spark questions about the ultimate goals and associated strategies associated with present research trajectories. Are there, for example, ways around the unhelpful bureaucracy associated with a great deal of scientific research, especially in academia? Are huge research budgets always necessary for innovative outcomes? If not, in what ways can alternative approaches be best facilitated whilst maintaining an acceptable risk profile? In what ways can groups collaborate more creatively in order to reduce budgetary pressures and overbearing external influence? Finally, are new possibilities emerging for win-win partnerships with groups in the Global South that can transcend the exploitation commonly associated with market commoditization? When combined with other chapters in our book, especially the investigation of open source appropriate nanotechnology, the Thai case presents some stimulating ideas for ways to enact alternative scientific pathways.”
More information about the book:
“Two provocative books about the emerging field of nanotechnology have been launched in Sydney. Nanotechnology and Global Equality (Pan Stanford Publishing) and Nanotechnology and Global Sustainability (Taylor and Francis) build the case that global prosperity now demands innovation without economic growth, and that nanotechnology shows such innovation is possible.
“Practices like ‘open source nano-innovation’ offer game-changing avenues for bypassing inhibitive start-up costs and ensuring scientific knowledge is freely shared” said Dr Donald Maclurcan, Australian author and co-editor of the books and Honorary Research Fellow at the Institute for Nanoscale Technology at the University of Technology, Sydney.
“For the first time in modern history, the right ingredients have surfaced for us to seriously consider innovating without economic growth” Dr Maclurcan said.
A US $254 billion market in 2009, recent data – outlined in the books – shows an expected rise to $2.5 trillion by 2015. More than 60 countries are engaging with nanotechnology research and development at a national level, including 16 ‘developing’ countries.
“Nanotechnology research around the world is largely focussed on creating unnecessary products that ensure big gains for multinational corporations and bigger losses for our ecosystems. In a world with biophysical limits and vast injustices, our survival depends on the redirection of science towards human need, not human greed” Dr Maclurcan said.
The books were officially launched by Dr Vijoleta Braach-Maksvytis, former head of nanotechnology at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
More details at: http://tinyurl.com/nanoequality and http://tinyurl.com/nanosustainability.