The National Science Council (NSC) yesterday announced a three-year research project on nanomaterials (
Nanostructured materials, which do not commonly occur in nature, are materials engineered to tolerances as fine as one billionth of a meter. Such fine attention to structure at the near-molecular level can dramatically change the properties of most materials, creating the opportunity for the re-engineering of existing products and the engineering of novel products to unprecedented performance levels.
Many leading countries in the world are rushing to cash in on the commercial applications of nanomaterials.
"Scientists are working on nanotechnology, which can be applied in a variety of fields, ranging from medicine, energy, national security, and electronic devices," said Mou Chung-yuan (
Scientists said that nanotechnology was a key to sustainable development. For example, Mou said, certain nanomaterials could be used to package nuclear waste.
Mou said the US passed the National Nanotechnology Initiative early this year to show its determination to promote the research and development of nanotechnology.
Mou said the US would invest about US$495 million on nanotechnology in 2001, compared to US$118 million in 1997.
Scientists said that as nanomaterials move from the lab to industry, the challenge would be to produce a wide variety of such materials having consistent particle size and morphology in quantities sufficient to meet industrial demands.
"What scientists are doing is to figure out efficient methods for the production of these materials," said Tsong Tien-tzou (
Chang Ching-ray (
Chen Kuei-hsien (
The project, containing three major parts, is expected to cost NT$80 million over three years.
According to the NSC, Taiwan will invest US$4 million to develop nanotechnology in 2001.
"The NSC has established a so-called `nano network,' which can integrate resources relating to nanomaterials research in a variety of fields in physics," said NSC vice chairman Steve Hsieh (
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