INTRODUCTION
In the vast horizon of science and technology, there exists also a world that holds a very high potential. This is the world of nano technology and comparatively invisible to naked eyes. Indian Government primarily launched The Nano scheme in May-2007 as an “Umbrella capacity-building program”. Concurrently Government launched the scheme with an initial allocation of Rupees 1000 crores for a five year term. Department of Science and Technology(DST), the leading organization involved in the development of nanotechnology launched this scheme .The NMNST is a torch illuminating the microscopic world, paving the way for innovation on a scale unheard before.Thereafter In India , The National mission on Nano Science and Technology is making the world of imagination into a reality .For this reason the world of imagination is where the smallest particle hold the key to groundbreaking innovation and solution .
UNDERSTANDING NANO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:-
The technology that includes manipulating matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale is known as nanotechnology. Nanoscience and technology deal with structure and phenomena at the nanoscale, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers. Basically, a nanometer is one billionth of a meter. At this scale, consequently, the rules of the game change, and materials exhibit unique properties that differ from their macroscopic counterparts. Thereafter the development of the Atomic Force Microscope(AFM) allowed for the commercialization of nanotechnology. Since then, nanotechnology has advanced remarkably and now influencing various industries. After that Nano scientists used this technology widely due to its quantum scale and wide range of applications. Nanotechnology application all in all includes the domain of medical science, space exploration, telecommunications, food processing, and environmental protection.
WHY NANO IS CALLED AS SUPERHERO:-
Nanotechnology is certainly like a wizard of the science world. Consequently, It allows scientists to play with materials at its tiniest level possible- atoms and molecules to create the magic. All in all, this creates the door to create super cool stuff like new materials, gadgets, and systems. Nanotechnology is a game changer in different horizons. Imagine medicine getting supersmart – nanoparticles can be like a delivery truck for medicine going exactly where it has to reach. It is like a superhero who fights the bad guy without hurting the good one. In the world of gadgets, nanotech is like the brain behind the picture. It helps to make computers faster as well as more powerful. Another key point that various reports can be found on the official website of the Department of Science and Technology:
https://dst.gov.in/scientific-programmes/mission-nano-science-and-technology-nano-mission
OBJECTIVE OF NANO MISSION ON NANO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:-
1. Fancy equipment: Scientists are building high-tech labs with the best gadgets and gizmos for scientists to play with superhero research.
2. Smart Research: The mission concurrently wants scientists to team up and tackle important problems by encouraging supercool research in nanotech.
3. Real-Life Superpowers: It is not just about cool inventions. Accordingly, the mission wants to turn these discoveries into real things we can use every day. It means that ultimately superhero ideas will be turned into actual gadgets and solutions.
4. Training heroes: As every superhero also needs training, the mission ensures there are enough smart and trained people to make the mission a big success.
5. Friends around the world: Nanotech is altogether a global technology. Furthermore the mission is to make friends with scientists from all over the world to share ideas and make even cooler thing gets shape.
FEATURES OF THE NATIONAL MISSION ON NANO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: –
1. Department of Science and Technology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology organizes and monitors this scheme.
2. The mission needs Infrastructure development, and it is very important for the successful implementation of this mission. It needs costly tools and equipment like Nano indenters, transmission electron microscope(TEM, Optical tweezers, Atomic force microscope(AFM), etc.
3. The Nano mission has set up national forums (a) To support R&D in the creation of Nanotechnology standards. and (b)To establish a National Regulatory Framework Road – map for Nanotechnology.
4.Nano mission encourages the industrial sector to participate directly or indirectly in nanotechnology research and development projects. This is done through Public-Private Partnerships.
5. To Guarantee the growth of interdisciplinary culture in this area, The mission places a strong effort on providing instruction and training across a range of subject areas.
6. Based on the success of the Nano Mission, The Union cabinet approved continuing the mission in phase II during the 12th Plan period with a budgetary allocation of Rs.650crores.
- The Government established Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali to encourage and promote advance research and development in the field of Nanoscince and nanotechnology in India.
- To encourage the sharing of ideas and to strength collaborative research in interdisciplinary areas of Nano-science and nanotechnology, Government launched Nano India, the flagship scientific event of the Nano-Mission program in 2017.
SECOND PHASE OF THE NATIONAL MISSION ON NANO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: –
The union cabinet approved the second phase of NSTM for continuation in the 12th plan period and the fund allocated for 2nd phase was 650 crores. A “Nano Mission Council”, led by renowned scientists will monitor and direct 2nd phase. The Nano mission will put more effort into encouraging application-oriented R&D in this next phase so that some valuable products, processes, and technologies will also come into the picture.
ICONSAT
ICONSAT stands for “International conference on Nano science and Nano Technology”.The Department of Science and Technology’s Nano Mission sponsors the ICONSAT, a cycle of biannual international conferences hosted in India (DST).The International Conference on Nano Science and Nanotechnology 2020 was held in March-2020 at Kolkata.
Objectives of ICONSAT:
Providing front line nanotechnology to advance the fields of Physics, chemistry and materials.
Introducing nanoscience and nanotechnology to integrate the 5Ms-Material, Machines, Money, Manufacturing and Manpower.
Providing a vibrant platform to young researchers and scientists both at domestic level and at at international level to stay up with most recent advancement s in the field of nano technology.
U.S. physicist Richard Feynman is considered the father of nanotechnology. Prof. C.N.R. Rao is considered as the “Father of Indian Nanotechnology”.
IMPACT OF NANO MISSION ON VARIOUS SECTORS:-
Nano mission directly or indirectly impact various sectors as follows.
1.Electronics- Progress in Nano technology can lead to smaller , compact and more efficient electronics devices which leads the way for next generation of communication technology and computing.
2.ENERGY:- Nano scientists looks into Nano materials very closely for their application in renewable energy offering solutions for efficient solar cells and energy storage devices.
3.Health- Nano science has a vast potential to revolutionize the medicine. It may change the way the medicines are administered to human body.Nano science may attack the diseases in a very particular and close way.
4.Manufacturing- Nano materials improves the properties of engineering materials and leads to production of stronger , lighter, corrosion free and durable materials for manufacturing.
5.Environment- Nano science helps in development of environment friendly technologies such as pollution control menthods and efficient water purification system.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NATIONAL MISSION ON NANO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:-
1. As a direct result of the Nano mission, Nanoscientists and researchers have produced about 5000 research articles and 900 Ph.Ds along with some helpful items like eye drops made of nano hydrogel, water filters that remove pesticides and fluoride, and water filters that remove arsenic, etc.
2. India now has two institutions as well as numerous highly advanced characterization and fabrication facilities because of the advancement of Nanotechnology,
3. India is currently one of the top five countries in the world for scientific publications in nanoscience and technology and has moved from 4th position to 3rd position due to the efforts made by Nano Mission.
4. Indian Scientists have access to remarkable facilities around the world, such as the Photon Factory in Tsukuba, Japan, and PETRA III in Hamburg Germany.
CHALLENGES FACED BY THE NANO MISSION
Following are the Challenges faced by the mission :
1 . Safety regulations: Extensive safety regulation development for nano products and materials is a challenging concern. Ensuring that the Government promotes these regulations with the rapidly evolving nanotechnologies is essential.
2. Interdiscipillanary Collaboration- Nano science basically requires collaboration across various subjects. Reducing the knowledge gap between experts in physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering is a major challenge but needed for entire advancements of mission.
3. Ethical concerns Science poses a threat to the major environmental and health impacts of nanomaterialsSciencenanoscience. For responsible development of nanoscience, these concerns need to be addressed on time.
- Public awareness-There is a need to create awareness about nanoscience and technology among the public, so that more people may understand and spread its knowledge.
5. Standardization-Consistent standards are very important for establishing the safety and reliability of nano-based products. Establishing characterization techniques and standardization testing methods for nanomaterials methods is challenging.
Overcoming these challenges will make us more confident in dealing with nanotechnology and we may harness more and more benefits from this technology.
CONCLUSION:
Nano Science and Technology is like a superhero for Science in India and for the whole world. It is like finding a super cool solution with the aid of Nanoscience and technology for big problems. The mission aims to attack all the problems at its level and is successful so far. Making medicine at the Nano level and finding new ways to utilize energy by studying really small things will make life better for all of us. The mission also wants to help smart people to work in collaboration with other countries. In this way, they may do wonders in the field of Nano technology. Even though there are some obstacles in the way, the mission aims to make an awesome India with nano science.
