Innovation

March 10, 2008 | Year 2 | Number 22

A way of life

By Jaime Parada

The Nanotechnology Institute of the United Kingdom gives a simple explanation for a complex term:
“Nanotechnology is an area of scientific development promising to give more with less.  It offers the possibility of creating smaller, cheaper, lighter, and faster devices capable of performing more intelligent operations, using less energy and material.”

The prefix comes from the Greek “nano” (dwarf) and is used in the metric system to mean one billionth (10-9) of a meter.  In order to have a clear idea of what we are talking about, it’s enough to know that a hair is approximately 100,000 nanometers thick.

The word is not new.  Richard Feynman, winner of the Physics Nobel Prize in 1965, mentioned nanoscience and nanotechnology on December 29, 1959, when he presented the lecture “There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom” at the California Institute of Technology.

On that day, the scientist predicted that there would be a large number of discoveries once it became possible to manufacture materials of atomic or molecular dimensions.

And Feynman was not wrong.  Nanotechnology is today the best option to find solutions in the fields of health, food, the environment, energy, IT, aeronautics, construction, as well as agricultural, stockbreeding, and industrial production.

This branch of science is one of the priorities in development projects of various countries.  The United States, for example, recently released the requested 2009 budget for the National Nanotechnology Initiative, in which 25 Federal Organisms participate.  The designated amount is USD 1.5 Billion.
Brazil is leading the way in Latin America by assigning, in 2007, around USD 16 Million to its National Nanotechnology Initiative.

Mexico occupies the second position, and its axis in this discipline is the Center for Research of Advanced Materials (CIMAV).  This Center has already submitted a proposal to the Federal Government for the creation of a National Initiative that would regulate all nanotechnology activities carried out in the country, in both the academic sector and the industrial sector.

Establishing the CIMAV in the Research and Technological Innovation Park (PIIT) confirms the Mission of the Monterrey International City of Knowledge Program, which has chosen nanotechnology as a strategic area for Nuevo Leon’s growth.

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Development of nanoinnovations from the microscopic SOMETHING BIG

The Center for Research of Advanced Materials, the central axis for nanotechnology in Mexico, was established in the PIIT in order to carry out research and academic projects linked to the productive sector.

In the world of nanotechnology, everything is minute, virtually invisible.  But that is not true of the ideas, which have to be big and revolutionary.

Even though nanotechnology is a relatively new discipline – its first expressions date from the late 50’s – its usefulness for the development of innovative materials, devices, components, and systems with unique characteristics has been proven.

In Mexico, the Center for Research of Advanced Materials (CIMAV) is the institution in charge of developing nanotechnology in all fields.

“We are home of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory and are cooperating with the Ministry of Economy in the drafting of the development plan for this applied science,” explained Jesus Gonzalez-Hernandez, General Director of CIMAV.

This institution, which has been in operation for 13 years in the city of Chihuahua, has established its first branch outside Chihuahua at the Research and Technology Innovation Park (PIIT) of Nuevo Leon.

The new unit, which will begin operations in April, will work in two research lines: nanotechnology and alternative energies.

“Regarding the first one, we will develop ceramic, metallic, and compound materials.  In the long term, we will carry out bionanotechnology projects,” indicated Gonzalez-Hernandez.

The Monterrey Unit of CIMAV already has seven Mexican doctoral scientists, each one with his/her own area of specialization and all focusing on nanotechnology.  During the first few months, the team will consist of 15 scientists.  However, by the end of 2008, the Unit’s capacity will increase to 30 researchers and the corresponding number of technicians.

By the year 2012, the institution should have 100 researchers in Monterrey plus an equal number of technicians, in addition to administrative personnel.

Those who work here will take advantage of the existing infrastructure in Chihuahua in order to exploit the joint capacities to their full potential.

LINKS WITH BUSINESSES AND UNIVERSITIES

Why Monterrey?  Gonzalez-Hernandez explained that the Center always has an average of 10 active projects of wide technological scope; seven of them correspond to companies established in Nuevo Leon.  “This was a great incentive for us to get established here.”

Their local industry clients operate in the fields of electricity, aluminum, inorganic minerals, paint, and metal-mechanics.

“The fact that we are in Monterrey is important for our clients because we can carry out more projects and develop specific areas of knowledge that they are interested in,” expressed the executive.

The institution is committed to share equipment, graduate degrees, and spaces with the academic institutions of Nuevo Leon.

INVESTING IN KNOWLEDGE

In the last three years, CIMAV Chihuahua invested 80 Million pesos in equipping.  The Monterrey Unit has a budget of approximately 20 Million pesos per year for the same purpose.

“The total cost of the work in PIIT is 70 Million pesos.  To this date, 25 Million have been spent, and the second phase will require an additional investment of 30 Million pesos,” explained Gonzalez-Hernandez.

The budget for operating costs varies between 5 and 10 Million pesos per year.

COLLABORATION NETWORKS

CIMAV carries out academia-business projects for the United States, Germany, Brazil, and Central America.

“We also participate in other academic projects with other countries and with the European Union to develop basic research lines,” said Gonzalez-Hernandez.

The Monterrey Unit seeks to expand the Center’s international influence.  One of the first options is Arizona State University in Phoenix, which has expressed interest in the PIIT’s concept.

“Institutions that we have been unable to take to Chihuahua are now committed to being with us here.  One example is the University of Texas in Austin,” he pointed out.

He added that Monterrey is an attractive city for foreign institutions, primarily from the United States, England, and France.  The Park is the ideal place for the generation of international collaboration agreements.

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FUTURE EVENTS

MARCH 13-15
Special Certificate Course: TRIZ Innovation
Radisson Casa Grande Hotel
Contact:
Training cTII
PH: +(52-81) 1365-0860     innovacion@ctii.com.mx
Martha Gonzalez
PH: +(52-81) 8625-9131  mgonzalez@coparmexnl.gob.mx

APRIL 4
Inauguration of CIMAV
Research and Technology Innovation Park
Contact: www.cimav.edu.mx

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