Iran 7th in world nanotechnology ranking

TEHRAN, Feb. 16 (MNA) – The secretary of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC) said the country has ranked first among Muslim countries and 7th in the world in science production in the field of nanotechnology. While commenting on the visit by Iran’s Leader to the exhibition on Nanotechnology achievements during which he had expressed his satisfaction with the developments in the field and hoped for a positive impact of the nano productions on people’s everyday lives, Saeed Sarkar, the secretary of INIC maintained that Iran has ranked first among Muslim countries and seventh in the world by producing more than four percent of the world’s articles and 42 percent of science production in the Muslim countries. Sarkar noted that Iran has the fifth ranking in the world in registration of international standards for nanotechnology. “As of today, about 31 percent of all inventions registered in Iran are related to nanotechnology but the increase in the cost of international registration has dropped our rating from 26 registered inventions in 2011 to 11 registered inventions in 2014,” said Sarkar. According to him, Chinese officials have asserted Iran has been successful in utilizing nanotechnology in its industries and expressed eagerness to cooperate in Iranian projects; “in a joint workshop with Chinese industries, we will present 30 nanotechnologies there in the near future.” Iran’s seventh ranking in the world gains more weight when one considered that in 2005 the country stood 35th in the world in terms of scientific output in nanotechnology but moved up to 7th place in the world in 2013. The Islamic Republic established the INIC in 2003 to promote the nation’s international ranking among the countries enjoying cutting-edge nanotechnology. Iran has made considerable growth in nanotechnology over the recent years and the country produces a wide range of nano-materials. Nanotechnology is believed to be able to create many new materials and devices with a vast range of applications, such as in medicine, electronics, biomaterials and energy production.