India's Nanotechnology challenge: Turning scientific research into marketable products

Dr Kirti Saxena New Delhi, Oct 25 (UNI) Nanotechnology promises to transform industries ranging from healthcare to semiconductors. For India, however, the central question is not whether its scientists can manipulate materials at the scale of billionths of a metre. It is whether the country can turn that expertise into products that businesses can manufacture competitively and consumers can afford. The distinction matters. Scientific discoveries do not automatically become commercial technologies. Between a promising laboratory experiment and a marketable product lie expensive prototyping, specialised manufacturing, testing, regulatory approval and the willingness of investors to finance uncertain, long-term development. For a…