Nanotechnology and energy-
related research will be boosted by the National Science Council (NSC) in order to keep Taiwan abreast of global scientific trends of scientific development, council Minister Wu Maw-kuen (
Six major fields in the National Science and Technology Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology will remain the focus of council support in the coming years, Wu said.
The six fields include basic research on properties of nanostructures, processing of nanomaterials, research and development of probes and manipulation techniques, design and fabrication of interfaces for functional nanodevices, development of Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS/NEMS) technology and nano-biotechnology.
"However, energy-related research will be further promoted. And we will do our best to facilitate technology transfers from academic circles to industries," Wu said.
Wu said ensuring the nation a sustainable future is the main goal for the new Cabinet, which took office on May 20. Therefore, interface problems among agencies must be solved in order to efficiently implement policies.
Wu said that the council would re-direct the focus of certain energy-related research topics and strive to create an improved research and development environment for science professionals in order to help promote the nation's competitiveness.
"So in the near future, we will have lots of technology-transfer issues to discuss with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and other agencies," Wu said.
For example, the council has suggested that the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research under the Atomic Energy Council be transformed into a research center for energy-related issues.
According to NSC Deputy Minister Chi Gou-chung (紀國鐘), the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Energy Commission, which supports some industry-oriented
energy-related research, might soon be transformed into a unit only in charge of planning energy policy.
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