January / February 2005 - CSIR

2N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y – T H E N E W F R O N T I E R ?THE CSIR TAKES ON A BRAVE NEWNANOWORLDThis issue’s coverpicture depicts a C60molecule known asthe bucky ball (seeour insert in thisissue).What is nano?A nanometre (nm) is a unit of measurementequal to a billionth of a metre(10 -9 ), tens of thousands of timessmaller than the width of a human hair.The prefix “nano” comes from the Greekword meaning “dwarf.”Nanoscience is the study of thefundamental principles of moleculesand structures with at least one dimensionroughly between 1 and 100 nm.It is concerned with materials andsystems of which the structures andcomponents exhibit novel andsignificantly improved physical,chemical and biological properties,phenomena andprocessesdue to theirnanoscalesize.Nanotechnology is the application ofnanoscience in technology devices.The essence of nanotechnology is theability to work at the molecular level,atom by atom, to create large structureswith fundamentally new molecularorganisation. Nanotechnology is oftendescribed as having “revolutionary”potential in terms of its possible impacton industry since it offers solutions tomany current problems by means ofcreating smaller, lighter, faster and betterperforming materials, components andsystems. This opens upnew opportunities forwealth creation andemployment.Nanotechnologyis also expectedto make an essentialcontribution tosolving global andenvironmental challengesby realising morespecific-to-useproducts andprocesses, savingresources andreducing wasteand emissions.Dr Thembela Hillie, Chairman of the CSIR NanoforumNanoscience and nanotechnologyare presently hot topics on theinternational research agenda withgovernments in Europe, USA and Japanspending more than $600 million per year.The initial hype of nano-robots that willnavigate our bodies to detect cancer orconstruct any product we desire, atomby atom, has been shifted to the background.Instead, practical applicationsare coming to the fore in improved drugdelivery, self-cleaning windows andadvanced materials used in a range ofapplications from golf clubs to plastic carparts and future electronic chips. It isgenerally accepted that nanotechnologywill have a huge impact on industry andfigures of billions of dollars are oftenquoted.Under the chairmanship of Dr ThembelaHillie, the CSIR has established a visionand is developing an approach to nanoscienceand nanotechnology within theorganisation through the establishmentof the CSIR Nanoforum, launched inJanuary 2005. It comprises CSIR scientists,engineers and technologists withappropriate expertise drawn from withinthe organisation. Hillie explains, “Theworking plan for the CSIR nano initiativeentails identifying expertise within theorganisation and the infrastructure thatwould support the planned endeavours.These experts are then mobilised toengage in interdisciplinary research acrossthe organisation, partnering academia andindustry, to further the vision of the CSIR.Current consortium-based partnershipsinclude the tuberculosis and solid-statelighting projects. This model also utilisesexisting links with international laboratoriesto enhance capacity-building.In this context, interaction with the SwissFederal Institute of Technology (EPFL) inSwitzerland and Manchester Universityin the UK looks most promising.”