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Nanotechnology is widely regarded as the next big wave in science, and Singapore is poised to ride it to new heights.
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Building on the knowledge we already possess about atoms - nature's most basic building blocks - nanoscience recognises that materials can exhibit very different properties when they are whittled down to even smaller clusters of atoms. Nanotechnology is about using these building blocks to create a new generation of products which are cleaner, stronger, and lighter. The repercussions on industries such as aerospace, biomedical sciences, healthcare, infocommunications and commercial product development are nothing short of extraordinary. In the last two years, research in nanotechnology has picked up momentum dramatically. In the US alone, more than US$3.7 billion in state funding has been set aside for this purpose until 2007; worldwide, government investment into nano-based R&D for 2003 stood at US$3 billion. In 2003, the European Union (EU) invested some 17.5 billion Euros in R&D investment, with a sizeable portion devoted to nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based functional materials and new production processes and devices. US government estimates indicate that the nanotechnology industry is expected to be worth some US$1 trillion by 2012.
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HOTSPOT FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY
According to EDB Chairman Teo Ming Kian, Singapore's strengths as an R&D, manufacturing and financial hub make the country well-suited to be at the forefront of the nanotechnology industry. "Singapore has been moving up the value-added and creation chain since the early days of industrialisation," said Teo. "We are now the manufacturing centre for such new generation products as flat screen TVs, hard disc drives and DVD recorders, as well as sophisticated components like chips, precision mechatronics, specialty and high performance chemicals."
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Nano-arrays
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"Given its pervasiveness across industries, nanotechnology with its potential to enhance the performance of existing products as well as create new products and processes will be a critical area that we will develop," he added.
Singapore is well-positioned to link the research talent, expertise and intellectual property required to create, test-market and commercially exploit nanotechnology-enabled applications and products. In addition, Singapore's conducive start-up environment and solid reputation for objectivity and transparency ensure that valuable intellectual property created here is well-protected. Numerous grants and schemes to encourage technopreneurship and innovation are also available, including scholarships for graduate studies in nanotechnology.
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RESEARCH PIONEERS
To date, three of the more prominent nanotechnology initiatives launched in Singapore are:
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN)
A member of A*STAR's biomedical sciences hub, IBN was established in early 2003 to spearhead the advancement of biomedical sciences in Singapore. Said Professor Jackie Ying, Executive Director of IBN, "With our focus on creating technology platforms, technology licensing and spin-offs, we seek to realise the tremendous commercial opportunities presented by bioengineering and nanotechnology research."
2. NUS Nanoscience And Nanotechnology Initiative (NUSNNI)
Launched in July 2004, NUSNNI was set up to develop long-term research capabilities, while galvanising and coordinating multi-disciplinary research efforts with other international research institutes. "Nanoscience and nanotechnology are of strategic importance to NUS because we believe these multidisciplinary areas will produce tomorrow's technology breakthroughs," said Professor Shih Choon Fong, President of NUS.
Singapore also boasts several firsts on the global nanotechnology map:
- NUSNNI has filed a patent for the Electrochemical Sensor Array Integrated Biochip and its manufacture. NUSNNI's patent is for a very small biochip that has a superior performance to that of the current generation of biochips.
- Chartered Semiconductor, together with NUS researchers Drs Choi Wee Kiong and Chim Wai Kin, filed a patent in the US, Europe and Japan for a data storage device that consists of using nanocrystals as storage elements in a computer's memory, allowing for better performance and reliability. These nanocrystals are 100,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
- Drs Mansoor Jalil, Teo Kie Leong and Thomas Liew from NUS filed an international patent on a novel device to control the spin of electrons. Their research into semiconductor-based Spintronics aims to cut power consumption in electronic devices and boost processing speed thousand-fold.
- Associate Professor Liu Xiang-Yang and his team from NUS found a way to boost the performance of laser devices by managing the growth and quality of the crystals in the equipment, including those used in laser surgery to treat short-sightedness and tissue engineering.
3. NTU NanoScience & NanoTechnology Corridor (NNC)
This 16,000 sq.ft nano-corridor is equipped with four cleanrooms and state-of-the-art equipment. NNC aims to bring together pockets of nano-research groups within Singapore and the rest of the world to realise breakthroughs in nanotechnology. The core areas of R&D focus in the NNC are:
- Molecular devices and nano-engineering
- Nano-biology
- Nano-electronics
- Nano-fabrication
- Nano-materials system
In addition, NNC also operates a Nano-Common Labs system which allows for the sharing of key equipment commonly used across a broad spectrum of nanotechnology research in order to optimise usage and reduce costs. Together with the NTU-based NanoFrontier, NNC seeks to enhance Singapore's efforts towards becoming a hub for nanotechnology application development.
While it may still be early days yet, it certainly looks like Singapore is well on its way to becoming one of the forerunners of this new revolution in science and technology.
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All Abuzz
Enterprises in Singapore have also lent a welcome boost to Singapore's efforts to become a leading force in nanotechnology. They include:
- NanoFrontier
Wholly owned by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), this nanotechnology application development centre established in October 2003 has access to over $200 million worth of nanotechnology-related equipment within NTU, as well as the services of nearly 100 researchers working on nanotechnology and thousands of other researchers and academics in business and engineering.
- NanoScience Innovation Pte Ltd
Set up in late 2002 to commercialise nanopowder production technology, NanoScience is a manufacturer and supplier of high-quality nanopowders and engineering materials, and one of their key investors is Singapore Technology Engineering. The global nanopowder industry is expected to exceed US$5 billion in value by 2010. ''Singapore's comprehensive and efficient infrastructure enables one to communicate to developed and developing worlds effectively,'' founder Dr Kurnia Wira said.
- STMicroelectronics
French-Italian semiconductor giant STMicroelectronics has started a nanotechnology research centre - ST Nanotube Centre - in Singapore, with the intention of leveraging on the technology and capabilities of local research institutes. The set-up is focused on the material aspects and the device applications which make use of the outstanding properties of functionalised carbon nanotubes. The centre will also perform R&D activities on life sciences, using its consolidated expertise in novel technologies for biosensors and applications of methodology for complexity.
- NanoMaterials Technology Pte Ltd
NanoMaterials develops processes for producing nanopowders in the pharmaceutical, chemicals, and electronics industries. It also sells nano-sized calcium carbonate as an additive for paint and rubber. Its headquarters and R&D centre are in Singapore.
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