Nanotechnology in Latin America
VEGA-BAUDRIT J.
Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnología LANOTEC-CeNAT, Costa Rica
Abstract
Nanotechnology development in Latin America is at its primary stage with associated individual investigators mostly in the academia in thematic areas of nanomaterial, bionanotechnology, nanoelectronics, nanoeducation, etc. This report highlights the distribution of such development in Costa Rica, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela, Cuba, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, etc. Keywords: Latin America, bionanotechnology, nanoelectronics and nanoeducation
Introduction
The development of nanotechnology in Latin America, in some countries is as result of its plans for Science, Technology and Innovation, which have encouraged research in both basic science and accurate, as in engineering and technology, science medical, agricultural sciences, social sciences and humanities.
The developments of research-development (R + D) have resulted in a greater quantity of products in science and technology, such as patents or publications. These publications are made using base important data at international level. In Latin America, increasingly, been given greater important to include in their national plans, to emerging technologies, such as case of nanotechnology. An impetus for Nanotechnologies is associated with redirecting the search for economies to make them
less dependent on
agricultural exports, mining and other sectors related to natural resources in the region.
Costa Rica case:
Nanotechnology in Costa Rica is made by governmental universities (POLIUNA, CICIMA and so) and LANOTEC. LANOTEC is an interdisciplinary research space committed to science and technology development through application of nanoscience and nanotechnology to the resolution of problems as well as knowledge transfer from academic environments to industry requirements.
The National Nanotechnology Laboratory of Costa Rica was inaugurated on August 31st, 2004 and specializes in research, design and implementation of nanotechnology-related technologies, nanotechnology, computational nanoscience and nanotechnology and materials science.
Currently LANOTEC has an interdisciplinary research team, a scientific director and growing infrastructure. LANOTEC makes available the following resources for industry and academic researchers:
• Work area of 300 m2
• Equipped Clean Room for synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials • Laboratory for fabrication of nanostructured materials and sample preparation.
LANOTEC is currently equipped with instruments for Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), synthesis of carbon nanotubes and chemistry laboratory equipment for sample preparation. In January, 2009, the laboratory was reinforced with equipment for Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) , X-Ray Diffractometry, ATR-FTIR (with TGA), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Goniometry, among others. The research and development in LANOTEC are:
• Instrumental and Characterization. Applications of instruments and techniques to determination of mechanical, thermal and electric properties of materials.
• Synthesis of Nanostructured Materials. Physical and chemical processes for production of molecular structures and materials with diverse properties such as surfaces and nanoparticles. • Computational Nanoscience. Application of mathematical modeling and computer simulation for the comprehension of nanoscale phenomena and support for experimental developments.
• Bionanotechnology. Study of features and interactions of biomolecules and their applications via nanometric manipulation techniques.
• Nanoeducation. Program to look for a talented and capable young in science and technology from the high school levels.
Some of the ongoing research projects at LANOTEC are:
• Synthesis and Characterization of Single- Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs). • Computer simulation and optimization of the SWCNT Growth process.
• Analysis of silica and silicon supramolecular structures. • Differentiation studies in chromosomes by AFM. • Energy from biotechnology.
There are analysis and characterization of materials via Atomic Force Microscopy, mathematical modeling and simulation of physical-chemical systems. Mechanic properties of materials and nanometric structures. Fabrication processes of micro and nanometric materials. Nanofluids. Micro-, Nanoelectromechanical Devices. Quantum phenomena in materials and nanostructured elements. Nanolithography. Thermal analysis of materials using Thermogravimetric Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Document encryption using nanolithography.
Lanotec (http://www.cenat.ac.cr/esp/area/ingenieria_materiales/lanotec/lanotec.php) has research relationships in some nets:
1. ReLANS: Red Latinoamericana de Nanotecnología y Sociedad (Latin American Nanotechnology & Society Network
ReLANS le invita a dialogar sobre las nanotecnologías en América Latina. Aquí encontrará un espacio para discutir las implicaciones socio-económicas, políticas, legales y éticas, así como los impactos en la salud y el medio ambiente del desarrollo de las nanotecnologías en América Latina.
ReLANS intends to create a forum for discussion and exchange of information that follows the process of nanotechnology development in Latin America. To that end, ReLANS will establish links and collaboration agreements with academic institutions, governments and society, intending to examine and evaluate - from our own experience - the political, economic, social, legal, ethical and environmental implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology that are domestically developed, and/or in collaboration with foreign centers and institutions, and imported goods that contain nanocomponents.
Web: http://www.estudiosdeldesarrollo.net/relans/index.html
ReLANS officially was funded in Ciudad de San Pablo, Brasil, 9th November, 2006, during III Seminário Internacional Nanotecnologia, Sociedade e Meio Ambiente, organizated by Rede de Pesquisa em Nanotecnologia, Sociedade e Meio Ambiente de Brasil. Actually, It was conformed by:
Argentina:
• Fundación Argentina de Nanotecnología, http://www.fan.org.ar/
• Laboratorio de Diseño de estrategias de Targeting de Drogas (LDTD). Universidad Nacional
de Quilmas, http://www.ldtd.unq.edu.ar Argentina-Brasil:
• Centro Argentino-Brasileiro de Nanotecnologia, http://www.cabnn.secyt.gov.ar/,
http://www.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/24251.html Perú:
• Nanotecnología en el Perú, http://www.nanotecnologia.com.pe/
Brasil:
• Ministérioda Ciência e Tecnologia, http://www.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/727.html • Rede de Materiais Nanoestruturados, http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~israel/index1.html
• Rede de Nanotecnologia Molecular e de Interfaces, http://www.renami.com.br/ • Rede de Pesquisa em Nanobiotecnologia, http://www.nanobiotec.iqm.unicamp.br/ • Rede Cooperativa para Pesquisa em Nanodispositivos Semicondutores e Materiais
Nanoestrutrados, http://www.if.sc.usp.br/~nanosemimat/,
• Rede de Pesquisa em Nanotecnologia, Sociedade e Meio Ambiente,
http://nanotecnologia.incubadora.fapesp.br/portal Colombia:
• Consejo Nacional de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología,
http://ewh.ieee.org/r9/colombia/2006/home.php Costa Rica:
• Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnología LANOTEC,
http://www.cenat.ac.cr/cenat/?q=node/22 México:
• Red de Grupos de Investigación en Nanociencias, http://www.nano.unam.mx/
• Red Internacional de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología, http://www.viep.buap.mx/redinn.htm
Cuba: See: http://www.occyt.cu/varios/informenano.pdf Members:
Argentina
• Sandra E. Murriello [email protected] • Santiago J.A. Figueroa [email protected]
Brasil
• Noela Invernizzi [email protected] • Paulo Martis [email protected]
• Adriano Premebida [email protected] • Cleci Korbes [email protected] • Jonatas Ferreira [email protected]
Colombia
• Constanza Perez Martelo [email protected]
Costa Rica
• José Roberto Vega Baudrit [email protected]
Cuba
• Carlos Rodríguez Castellanos [email protected]
Chile
• Verónica Fuentes [email protected]
México
• Laura Cabrera [email protected]
• Guillermo Foladori [email protected] • Edgar Zayago [email protected]
• Mark Rushton [email protected]
• Eduardo Robles Belmont [email protected]
Uruguay
• Adriana Chiancone [email protected] • Ramiro Chimuris [email protected] • Lydia Garrido Luzardo [email protected]
Venezuela
• Elder Goncalves [email protected] • Hebe Vessuri [email protected]
• Isabelle Sanchez Rose [email protected] • Ivan de la Vega [email protected]
Miembros Asociados de otras Regiones:
España
• José Manuel de Cózar [email protected] • Divina María Gómez Sanlés [email protected]
2. Pan-American Nanotechnology Network (PNN) - as part of the Global Nanotechnology Network (GNN).
Web:
http://www.globalnanotechnologynetwork.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13 3&Itemid=86
needed to foster nanotechnology research, education, and technology development in the region. Participants found great disparity in regional capabilities, infrastructure, and investment in nanotechnology and concluded that a Pan-American Nanotechnology Network, jointly funded and operated by Pan-American partners, would greatly enhance regional capabilities, distribute benefits across the region, and facilitate cooperation with global partners. An ad hoc committee has been established to pursue the development of the network.
Goals of workshop:
1. Envision and Plan the development of a Pan-American Nanotechnology Network 2. Involve more Pan-American partners in the GNN
3. Familiarize members with the new interactive website.
Partial list of participants:
Centro Atomico Bariloche (CNEA)-Argentina
Instituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía (INQUIMAE), University of Buenos Aires-Argentina
Universidad Nacional del Comahue - Argentina Universidad Nacional de Tucumán - Argentina Centro Brasilero de Pesquisas Fisicas (CBPF)- Brazil Instituto de Aeronautica e Espaco (IAE) - Brazil Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo - Brazil Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo - Brazil Petrobras Research Center - Brazil
Universidade Federal do Parana - Brazil Universidade Brasilia - Brazil
INCT-Nano - Brazil
Brazilian Materials Research Society - Brazil Universidade Federal do Ceara (UFC) - Brazil
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) - Brazil
Centro para la Investigación Interdisciplinaria Avanzada en Ciencias de los Materiales (CIMAT) - Chile
Universidad Andres Bello - Chile Universidad de Chile - Chile
Universidad Federico Santa Maria - Chile
Centro de Excelencia en Nuevos Materiales (CENM) - Colombia Universidad Autonoma de Occidente - Colombia
LANOTEC-POLIUNA - Costa Rica
Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados (CIMAV) - Mexico CINVESTAV - Mexico
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) - Mexico
Sociedad Mexicana de Materiales / Materials Research Society of Mexico - Mexico Universidad de la Republica-Montevideo - Uruguay
Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Southern Office of Aerospace Research and Development AFOSR/SOARD - US
Argonne National Laboratory, Materials Science Division - US
US State Department Jefferson Fellows Program - US National Science Foundation - US
U.S. Army International Technology Center for the Americas (ITC-Americas) - US Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) Americas - US
Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) - Venezuela
References.
1. http://www.estudiosdeldesarrollo.net/relans/index.html
2.http://www.globalnanotechnologynetwork.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id= 133&Itemid=86
3. Vega-Baudrit, JR., Document: Development plan of LANOTEC 2006-2010, CeNAT, 2006.
4. Rodás-Morán, E., COMPILACIÓN MONOGRÁFICA DE INFORMACIÓN ACERCA DE UN
PROYECTO DE DESARROLLO CIENTÍFICO Y TECNOLÓGICO DE LA