कृषि में नैनो विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी मिशन
Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science, capable of resolving problems that are impossible to tackle with engineering and biological sciences. Nano Mission provides critical funding to competent groups (preferably from a group of Institutions) to carry out very focused research in Nanoscience and develop nanotechnology based applications aimed at delivering breakthroughs in Nano S&T and applications in a concerted manner
Nano Mission (Nano Science and Technology Mission – NSTM)
The Government of India launched the Nano Mission in 2007 under the Department of Science and Technology. The Ministry of Science and Technology allocated up to Rs 1000 crores to this mission to fulfill its following objectives:
- Basic Promotion of Nanotechnology
- Infrastructure Development
- Establishment of R&D in Nanoscience Applications
- Establishment of Development Centre for Nanosciences
- Human Development in Nanotechnology
- International Collaborations
India has been able to rank amongst the top 5 countries in the world for Scientific Publications in Nanoscience & Technology due to the efforts led by the Nano Mission.
The Nano Mission has established national dialogues to promote R&D in the development of standards for nanotechnology and for laying down a National Regulatory Framework Road-Map for Nanotechnology (NRFR-Nanotech).
Salient features of Mission on Nanoscience and Technology
1. Capacity building in research in nanoscience and technology:
Mission focus on funding of basic research in nanotechnology by individual scientists and groups of scientists and creation of centers of excellence for pursuing studies. The mission is funding about 235 individual scientist centric research projects on fundamental research in Nano-systems. This will lead to fundamental understanding of matter that enables control and manipulation at the nanoscale.
2. Infrastructure Development for Nano Science & Technology Research:
Mission aimed at establishing a chain of shared facilities across the country with sophisticated equipment required for Nano research. It also focuses on establishing linkages between industry and research and educational institutions and promoting public private partnerships (PPPs).
3. Nano Applications and Technology Development Programmes:
Mission aim to catalyse Applications and Technology Development Programmes that would lead to products and devices.
4. Human Resource Development:
The project aims to create a large skilled manpower base through effective education and training to researchers and professionals in diversified fields so that a genuine interdisciplinary culture for nanoscale science, engineering and technology can emerge.
5. International Collaborations:
Apart from exploratory visits of scientists, organization of joint workshops and conferences and joint research projects. It focuses on promoting foreign collaboration in nanotechnology programmes.
Scope of application of nanotechnology in the development process
1. Agriculture:
Nanotechnology can be used in agriculture and food production in the form of Nano sensors for monitoring crop growth and pest control by early identification of plant diseases. These Nano sensors can help enhance production and improve food safety. With inputs related to water use, fertilizers and pesticides delivered in nanoscale productivity and yield can be increased.
2. Medical applications:
Development of newer drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology methods is being tried for conditions like cancer, diabetes, fungal infections, and viral infections and in gene therapy. Nanotechnology has also found its use in diagnostic medicine as contrast agents, fluorescent dyes and magnetic nanoparticles.
3. Electronics:
The semiconductor industry has been able to improve the performance of electronic systems for more than four decades by downscaling silicon-based devices. Carbon nanomaterials such as one dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes and two dimensional (2D) graphene have emerged as promising options due to their superior electrical properties which allow for fabrication of faster and more power-efficient electronics.
4. Textiles and Clothing:
Nanotechnology has shown a huge potential in the textile and clothing industry which is normally very traditional. Coating is a common technique used to apply Nano-particles onto textiles. The success of nanotechnology in textile applications lies in areas of durability, flexibility, wash ability and softness. The use of nanotechnology allows textiles to become multifunctional and produce fabrics with special functions, including antibacterial, UV-protection, easy clean, water & stain repellent and antiodour.
5. Energy equipment:
Nanoscales and nanoporous membranes are being used to facilitate production of biomass fuel. Energy transmission could potentially be made much more efficient by using engineered nanomaterials. Throughout the renewable-energy sector, nanotechnology has the potential to increase process efficiencies and process yields, decrease costs and enable energy processes that would not be attainable any other way.
COVID-19 Nano Coating
The Department of Science and Technology and the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) called for a Short-term Research Grant for Nano Coating COVID-19 in April 2020. This rapid project was necessary for the emerging health care requirements in order to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic. The goals of the project are to focus on the following areas.
Antiviral Nano-coatings
- It will be coated on the appropriate material for producing anti-COVID-19 Triple Layer Medical masks and N-95 respirator or better masks in large quantities.
- The N9 blue nanosilver, which is a highly potent antimicrobial agent, will be used as a nano-material.
- The N9 blue nanosilver will be further modified to form nanocomplexes with Zinc compounds to achieve a greater effect.
- Further, these nanomaterials will be applied as coatings on facemasks and other PPEs so that the wearer is protected from accidental contamination from COVID-19 virus droplets.
- The use of highly effective antimicrobial nanoparticles on PPEs, masks, etc. will provide an extra layer of protection for frontline workers who are at greater risk of getting infected with COVID-19, such as the medical workers.
All components of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPEs are used for safeguarding the health of all health care workers against COVID-19. The department will deal with industrial partners for scaling up production.
Results of the NSTM
The NSTM has resulted in India entering the top 5 countries’ list in terms of scientific publication in nano science and technology field. It moved from the 4th to the 3rd position. It has resulted in creation of products like nano hydrogel based eye drops, pesticide removal technology for drinking water, water filters for arsenic and fluoride removal, nano-silver based antimicrobial textile coating, etc.
References
Salata, O.V. (2004). Applications of nanoparticles in biology and medicine.
J Nanobiotechnol. 2 - 3.
West JL, Halas NJ (2000). Applications of nanotechnology to biotechnology commentary. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 11: 215-217.
Sekhon B, Saluja V, Sekhon BS (2011). Nanovaccines - An overview. Int J Pharm Frontier Res 1: 101-109.
Authors
Dr. Pradeesh Kumar
Assistant Professor (Agronomy), Department of Crop Management,
Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Coimbatore - 642 103, Tamil Nadu, India
Corresponding author E-mail: