KOTTAYAM, KERALA Nanoscience & Nanotechnology have become an important new area of research that explores materials and novel phenomena that occur at the size scale ranging from 1-100nm. This is the range that encompasses both the smallest artificial structures and ubiquitous molecules of the natural world and a wide variety of applications of these materials are expected in various branches of Science & Technology. Key motivations for nanoscale science and technology research is to advance broad societal goals like improved comprehension of nature, better quality of life and increased productivity. Many countries have initiated national activities in this field and the Universities have become an integral part of research in this area. It is expected that Nanoscience-challenge in science and technology will be a major impetus to change the very way universities organize their educational infrastructure in the next decade. While conducting educational instruction in conventional science streams, the demands for interdisciplinary research and training in the Universities need to be achieved in order to meet the high demand of trained and knowledgeable personnel in this exotic area. The challenges presented by nanoscience and nanotechnology cannot be answered solely by techniques and methods from a single science or technology discipline. It requires a combination of diverse, but inter-related techniques spanning many disciplines that form the core of an emerging discipline of Nanoscinece and Nanotechnology. These include, but not limited to Quantum Physics, Synthetic chemistry, Biological and chemical self-assembly, Computational techniques, Environmental science, Management and a whole array of microscopies. Under these circumstances Mahatma Gandhi University has started the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in 2009 to carry out and coordinate research activities in the relevant and potential areas and seek possible collaborations from various industries to make the research outcome of the Centre as a technological product reality. Such activities can generate the necessary manpower required in the coming years to take the lead role for the development of various technological products to meet the required technological demand. The prime motivational research areas of the Centre will be to develop new materials and devices for various technological applications and also to take up the social and ethical issues related to Nanoscience & Technology. The Centre for Nanoscience and Technology intends to act as a nodal point to provide training and research in various interdisciplinary areas of Nanosceince & Nnanotechnology. The Centre also provides various facilities and consultancies to the researchers from other organizations and educational institutions within the state and country to improve the quality of their research activities. Goals and Objectives The goals and objectives of the Centre are the following: 1. To promote and coordinate large-scale interdisciplinary research programs in nanoscience and nanotechnology leading to the technological development and fabrication of nanodevices such as sensors, impermeable nanocomposite membranes for automotive applications, super-tough polymer nanocomposites for space and defense applications, targeted drug delivery systems based on nanomolecules, and nanomaterials for optoelectronics and display devices. 2. To provide a centre of educational excellence for training researchers in the field of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology. This means to plan and coordinate cross-disciplinary educational programs such as M. S., M. Phil., Ph. D. and PG Diploma courses in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology and thus creating manpower in specialized areas. These courses will commence from the next academic year. The centre will also conduct regular training programmes in nanotechnology, national and international conferences and workshops in nanotechnology with more emphasis to Sustainable Energy, Health, Environment, the manufacturing of nanodevices and technology development. Such activities will provide a deep insight into the understanding of nanoscience & nanotechnology and a platform for rigorous interactions, in particular, for the young researchers. 3. To serve as a bridge between the University’s nano-research and the industrial application in nanotechnology. The Centre is expected to initiate and establish strong collaborations with industrial, other research and educational institutions in the country and abroad. 4. To provide consultancy services in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology to industries and other required sectors. 5. To study the Social, Ethical, Legal and Environmental (SELE) issues related to Nanoscience & nanotechnology. Present status of the Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology at Mahatma Gandhi University. The Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is functioning as an interdisciplinary centre incorporating various Schools of the University as depicted below. Several large research programs are being planned incorporating physical, chemical, biological and environmental aspects pertaining to nanoscience & nanotechnology. Faculty members from various schools are at present working as adjunct faculties of the centre. The Centre’s research and academic activities will be focused to address the challenges posed by the Nano-revolution. Some of the envisaged thrust areas of the centre are the following. Nanomaterials: Syntheses and characterization of various advanced multifunctional materials will be carried out under this area. The compositional and structural modification of existing materials on the nanometer scale can drastically enhance some properties and lead to unprecedented physical effects. The Centre will be concentrating on various advanced materials such as Carbon, Semiconductors, Magnetic and Multiferroics, polymer based nanocomposites, to list a very few at nano size regime both on the synthesis, characterization and device development aspects. Nanochemistry: Chemistry naturally deals with processes at the molecular scale. The research activities in this area will include novel synthetic routes of nanopreparation of materials and particles, self assembly and self organization of molecules and atoms at nanoscale which can explored to design functional structures in 1-, 2- or 3-Dimensions. Nanopolymers and Nanopolymer composites will also be the thrust research areas. Nanobiology and Nanomedicine: The research activities in this area in general will be focused to incorporate biological molecules as components of various nanostructures to provide possible pathways for future endeavors. Activities will include targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy and other diseases such as Polymer nanoparticle for oral anticancer drug delivery. Nano-Biosensors has also been considered as a thrust research topic of the proposed centre which might utilize some of the nanobiotechnological aspects. Green energy: Green energy is a term used to describe sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly and non-polluting. These sources of energy may provide a remedy to the alleged effects of global warming and certain forms of pollution. The Centre is highly interested to establish a strong research activity in this area integrating the nanoscience and nantechnology such as in field of hydrogen storage fuel devices and third generation solar cells. Social, Ethical, Legal and Environmental (SELE) Issues: A wide range of management ideas and concepts relevant for innovative and technology-intensive organizations in the area of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology will be covered on a broader perspective to the students of the various educational programmes of the Centre. In recent years public attitudes to science and technology have become increasingly important to government and corporations as they seek to manage the risks and benefits of innovation. Therefore, the Centre will be carrying out research activities pertaining to the social, ethical, legal and environmental dimensions of nanoscience and nanotechnology in the political and policy contexts for the Nanoscience & Nanotechnology innovations. It is also envisaged to take up detailed research activities of the Nanotechnology’s societal dimensions by promoting public participation in policy making. Apart from the above mentioned areas, the Centre’s research activities will also be focused on various nanofabrication and manufacturing techniques so as to transfer the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology research outputs in the form of a product. It is also proposed to take up computational synthesis, structural and property simulation studies to a greater extent. The various components of Goals and Objectives are detailed given below. A. Development of Nanocomposites for Aerospace, Defence and Automotive Applications B. Development of Nanosensors C. Synthesis of metal nanoparticles for catalysis and low temperature interconnect applications D. Targeted drug delivery systems using nanomolecules E. Synthesis and development of nanomaterials for optoelectronics and display devices F. Nanotechnology for water purification G. Nanotechnology for Green energy The Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology has the potential to meet the challenges and demands of nanoscience & nanotechnology. The Mahatma Gandhi University and the Centre have all basic infrastructure facilities for carrying out the latest kind of research in the field. Many of the faculties in various Schools of the University are already working in different areas of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology and currently acting as adjunct faculties. The researchers from other educational and research institutions can easily get access to all the facilities of the Centre. It is also envisaged to strengthen the research facilities of the Centre in terms of the procurement of various instruments for the research activities through the funding from various agencies of the Government such DST, CSIR, MHRD, DAE, ISRO, DBT KSCSTE which can be extended to other researchers within the state and country. Many sophisticated research facilities are not currently available within the state and the researchers are currently availing such facilities from other institutions such as IIT’s or various UGC-DAE centres of the country where a long waiting in months for the measurements usually happens. The Centre’s main motive is to develop new technologies from lab scale to pilot plant scale and finally to commercial products in collaborations with various industries and Government Research Laboratories. The main focus will be in the area of Sustainable Energy, Health and Environmental issues. The important missions of the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology to generate resources: It is very much essential that some funds to be generated through certain resources for the implementation of the programs envisaged by the Centre. The following brief proposals could generate considerable amount of funds to Centre and University. 1. Industry-University Collaborative Research Activities: The Centre is planning to organise Industry-University meet twice in a year on regular basis to attract more industries to work with the University Research and in turn to obtain considerable financial support from them through various research projects. The Centre shall invite and motivate all research schools of the University to join this venture and utilize the opportunity to the maximum and to establish research links with the industries. This will also help the University/Schools to get suitable placements for the students. 2. Consultancy Services: The Centre shall provide consultancy services to the required sectors of academia and industries and thereby generate additional funds. The Centre has various sophisticated equipments now and these facilities could be extended to the required sectors for nominal rates. 3. Chairs under Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: The Centre will take initiative to start various Chairs to honour eminent personalities in collaboration with various industries and research organisations. The first Chair on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology will be conferred to Prof.C.N.R.Rao, the pioneer in the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology during the International Conference on Nanomaterials ICN 2010 to be held during 27-29 April 2010. The Centre has also taken initiative to start the ‘Vikram Sarabhai Chair’ with ISRO-Govt. of India. In this context Dr. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of ISRO is expected to visit Mahatma Gandhi University to have bilateral discussions with our Hon. Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajan Gurukkal. This will also lead to have strong collaborative research activities of Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology with ISRO of mutual interest. The Centre also planning to have initial discussions with private industries such as Reliance, General Motors, Mahindra and government research organisations such as DRDO, DBT etc.. 4. Patents: Patenting is another resource through which the Centre and the University can generate funds. Dr. Sabu Thomas, Hon. Director of the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology has TWO patents to his credit already through ISRO supported projects. He is in the process of filing few more patents as an outcome of the research projects carried out under Nano Mission of DST-Govt. of India. It is highly anticipated that such patents can bring in more funds to the Centre and University. Other researchers will also be encouraged to take up projects leading to patents. 5. New Academic programs: The Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology will be starting new academic programs such as M. S., M. Phil., Ph. D. and P G Diploma in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in coming academic year 2010-2011. It has been decided to admit other nationalities and NRIs for such courses and the students under this category will have a separate fee structure and the amount so collected could be utilized for the development of the Centre. The proposed intake for each program is as follows. M. S. in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology: Regular Students : 10 Other Nationalities : 05 NRIs : 05 M. Phil. in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Regular Students : 10 Other Nationalities : 05 NRIs : 05 P G Diploma in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Evening Program): Regular Students : 30 Other Nationalities : 10 NRIs : 10 If suitable number of applicants under Other Nationalities and NRIs is not received for the P G Diploma, these seats will be given to regular students. For M. S. and M. Phil. programs, the vacant seats under Other Nationalities and NRIs will remain unfilled.