Muslims Countries Urged to Unite to Develop Nanotechnology

JOHOR BAHARU (Johor, Malaysia) Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Muslim countries are called to put aside their differences and unite in developing nanotechnology to avoid the nano divide. Secretary-general of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council, Prof Saeed Sarkar, said that without nanotechnology capability Muslim countries would lose out to those that were more capable. "Nanotechnology covers all aspects of people's life and can be used to enhance their quality of life and generate wealth," he said at the 8th World Islamic Economic Forum's (WIEF) session themed "The Business of Nanotech: Sizing Up Opportunity" here on Wednesday. Replying to a question from the floor, Sarkar said nanotechnology could be transferred from one country to another but if the receiving country had no capability in nanotechnology, it would be of no use. Sarkar said nanotechnology -- comparable to information and communication technology and microelectronics -- would create vast opportunities in scientific innovations, industrial competitiveness and economic power. With over 1.6 billion consumers, Muslim countries offer potential for a vast market. "Put aside our political indifferences and come together to develop nanotech. Let us share roles and resources to have world class achievements, research and development consortia and networking," he said. NanoGlobe managing director Dr Lerwen Liu, an Australian nanotech business consultancy in Asia, said the properties of nanocarbon materials had been utilised by scientists and engineers in realising multi-functional materials. Liu, who moderated the session, said the materials had also been used to create touch screens for mobile phones and to treat cancer without giving any side effects to patients. "Within the next five years, cars would be made from nanocarbon materials at very cheap cost," she said. Senior research fellow of South Korea's Institute of Material Science, Dr Hak Min Kim, said governments must have strong will in their nanotechnology initiatives and provide good infrastructure for that purpose. "The South Korean government had invested US$2 billion within 10 years for nanotechnology and there are 192 companies that have engaged in developing nano materials alone," Hak said. Dr Steffi Friedrichs, director general of Nanotechnology Industries Association, Belgium, said nanotechnology had shown a growth rate of 30 per cent compared to biotechnology (15 per cent) and information technology (5 per cent). She said the good news was that global environmental activist Green Peace did not have any policy against nanotechnology. "Nanotechnology can be used to enhance energy storage, make solar cell cheaper and reduce the usage of fossil fuel hence reducing global warming," she said. -- BERNAMA