DRDO to set up nano foundry to boost non tech
10 Dec 2010
In an attempt to boost the development of nano technology in the country, the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) plans to set up a nano foundry at either Bangalore or Hyderabad.
The foundry, which will be set up at a cost of Rs500 crore will aim to develop nano products from nano designs.
Dr W Selvamurthy, chief controller, R&D, DRDO said that the main aim of the foundry was to develop three products - nano composites, nano electrodes and bio-sensors.
''The nano foundry project will be a cluster with the partnering of IITs and other academic institutions of India. The R&D facilities for nano technology can be used by the industry and academic institutions for research purpose,'' Selvamurthy said. The project is expected to come up in a few years.
He added that nano technology was finding applications in diverse fields from agriculture to defense and the organisation had already made investments of Rs200 crore for further developments.
''We have already hired new people for the nano projects, including 15 non-resident Indians who have considerable experience in nano technology. They will join DRDO as full time employees,'' he said.
Elaborating on developmental activities at DRDO laboratories in the country, he said that nanocomposite coatings developed by an Ahmednagar lab would be used in several anti-corrosive industrial applications. Similarly, the Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical lab at Bangalore was developing several bio-sensors that could potentially revolutionise medical diagnostics and ensure the safety of combat units in times of war.
