Challenges in Nanotechnologyand Advanced Materials

Nilwala KottegodaUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura and

SLINTEC

VisionSri Lanka becomes a scientifically and technologically advanced country by the year 2020.

MissionTo formulate and implement policies pertaining to the popularization and advancement of science and technology, including scientific research and development and transfer of technologies, to ensure improved quality and productivity so as to upgrade economic activities, which are essential for the economic and social development of Sri Lanka.

NNI – Sri Lanka 2006VisionEnhanced competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s industry contributing to a strong economy bycapturing opportunities through innovationsin nanotechnology in a safe manner.

Mission• Provide an enabling environment to promote industry targeted research, developments and

commercialization of nanotechnology.

• Establish a world-class research center with state -of-the-art equipment and support facilities.

• Undertake capacity building to produce competent personnel, promote incubation units to take science into industrial applications.

• Ensure that the national resource bases are protected and nurtured to enable SriLanka to benefit from new developments.

• Provide opportunities for global businesses with quality processes and product developments.

• Position Sri Lanka as an international destination for research and development innanotechnology.

“National Nanotechnology Policy of Sri Lanka” , 2006

Eco-System

Systematic Prioritization

State-of-the –art facilities

Academia – industry partnerships

Intellectual property

Regulatory frame work

Commodity export

Smart nation

Funding

Investment in Science & Technology• Pakistan - India 0.6 – 0.9%• Thailand 0.24 %• Malaysia 0.7%• Singapore 2.2%• Korea 2.6%• Sri Lanka 0.14%

Science, Innovation & Global Prosperity

• High income countries over 12,000USDNorway, USA, Western Europe, Australia, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Israel, Gulf state

• Upper middle income 3,500 -12,000USDRussia, Latin America, South Africa. Malaysia

• Low middle income 1,000 – 3,500USD China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka

• Singapore 446• India 385• Malaysia 133• Thailand 32• Pakistan 4.4• Sri Lanka 1.8• Bangladesh 0.2

Investment in Science & Technology• Pakistan - India 0.6 – 0.9%• Thailand 0.24 %• Malaysia 0.7%• Singapore 2.2%• Korea 2.6%• Sri Lanka 0.14%

Average number of patents

Source: World economic forum 2012

Global Innovation Index 2012World Rankings

(World Economic Forum 2012)

Innovation Technology readiness rank 2008

Singapore 13 07

Korea 08 16Malaysia 40 15

Thailand 43 39

India 27 57Sri Lanka 69 74

Bangladesh 98 106

State-of-the-art Facilities

• Infra structure and equipment• Access to data bases• Unavailability of centralized facilities

Systematic Prioritization

The list of nanotech applications that are most likely to benefit the developing world in the near future are broadly related to– Energy storage, production and conversion– Enhancement of food and agricultural productivity– Water treatment and remediation– Apparel industry – Diagnosis and treatment of disease

Nanomaterials

Nanoservices

Nanointegrated

Manufacturing

No mutual understanding among the researchers

Lack of strong industry and science base

Lack of ability to translate R&D investments into economic outcomes as industry is dominated by multinationals; therefore R&D adoption decisions taken outside the country

Resources for participation in front line science lacking

Lack of global partnerships and entrepreneurship

ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN ACADEMIA & PRIVATE SECTOR

Eco-system

• Status of the human resource pool• No right eco-system for research beyond the

bench – incubators/pilot plants • Lack of local talents for advanced equipment

handling, maintenance and repair• Lack of collaborations between the

researchers

Human Resource Pool

Engineers

Scientist

Economists

Policy makers

Environmentalists

Investors

Lawyers

Politicians

GAP!

Intellectual Property• 3P Model

PAPERSPATENTS

PRODUCTS

No of S-T papers published

Competitiveness of patents

Market value of Products

- High costs for acquisition of intellectual property- No national policy for patent filing- Very few high value patents pass through local patent office- Patent valuation access is limited- Lack of human and policy capacity - Trade barriers - Lack of talents- Political instability- Lack of idea protection mechanisms and intensifying researchers

Regulatory Framework

- Lack of a comprehensive standards infrastructure, database or regulatory framework including protocols for risk and life cycle assessment for nanotechnologies globally scares less developed countries from wanting to adopt the innovation

- Barriers to research resulting from current administration and financial regulations such as cumbersome procurement procedures

ConceptPrototype

Intellectual PropertyBusiness Plan

Venture CapitalScaling Up

CommissioningProduction

Innovation Road Map

Every once in a while somethingnew is discovered or created that changes

Every thing !

SLINTEC Directive

1. Build a world-class Research & Development centre specialized in Nanotechnology & Advanced Technology

1. Make products more competitive using Nano & advanced technologies.2. Add value to Sri Lanka’s mineral resources.

2. Build a Nanotechnology and Science Park for research, development and commercialization of innovations

Company Confidential

Company Confidential

Research Partners

Company Confidential1

Research Partners

SLINTEC AchievementsPatents, Publications & Royalties

• SLINTEC has filed for 11 patents 9 of which are in the US patent office and 2 in Sri Lankan patent office. (3 of the international patents have been granted). New patent in process of being filed in the US.

• 3 patents were sold to Nagarjuna Corporation Limited in India. (Received US$1.0 million)

• Sold a patent to a local party as an outcome to a research project

• Published in excess of 39 papers in reputed local and international journals

• Generating our first royalty revenue stream from successful research project with Textured Jersey (Rs 3.9 million in first 7 months)

• In the process of evaluating two projects that have completed the research phase with a view to possible commercialization

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SLINTEC Achievements continued

Partnerships

• Signed a contract with Laugfs Gas to build a pilot plant to check the feasibility of converting Ilmenite to Titanium Dioxide

• Partnered 27 clients and generated in excess of Rs 150 million through contract research since September 2011.

• Signed MOU’s with several local Universities and Nanyang Technology University (“NTU”) in Singapore and a Cooperation Agreement with the Yunnan Rural Science and Technology Service Centre in Kunming, China

• Carrying out strategic research projects on behalf of the Government

Endowment• Created an endowment fund and raised Rs 31mn. One platinum sponsor (25 million), one silver

sponsor Rs 5.0 million and Rs 1.0 million as the first contribution to the Brick for Science.

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SLINTEC Achievements continued

Brain Gain

• Attracted 11 PhD qualified Sri Lankan scientists to relocate

• Provided on the ground training for graduates moving on for higher education. Thus far we have seen 23 staff members move on to obtain PhD’s from highly recognized Universities in the West.

• Significant contribution to changing the research landscape in the country through many of the awareness programs carried out by SLINTEC

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Thinking Big in a Very Very Small W

orld