TRANSFER OF NANOTECHNOLOGIES FROM R&D INSTITUTIONS TO SMES IN INDIA Opportunities and Challenges of concept, building a prototype, testing H. Purushotham its feasibility, product development and Head, Center for Knowledge Management of design, and finally manufacturing and Nanoscience and Technology marketing. Though it appears simple, Advanced Centre for Powder Metallurgy and the technology transfer of an emerging New Materials (ARCI) technology like nanotechnology is a very Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. complex process as there are many play- Tel: +40-27007032; Fax: +40-27007031 ers in the process with different objectives E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.ckmnt.com and goals. There are many exogenous and endogenous factors which influence the successful transfer of technology. Abstract The typical technology transfer success To nullify their size disadvantage and overcome diseconomies of scale, SMEs often rate in developing countries is between utilize the process of technology transfer from public funded R&D institutions. The 3–5% compared to 10–15% in developed interface between the public funded R&D institutions and SMEs however needs to be countries (Chandran, 2010). The ability to strengthened to leverage the mutual strengths. There is a huge gap or a valley of death move a technology to market, quickly and that exists between the public funded R&D institutions and industry with regard to efficiently, is crucial in transferring tech- technology development and transfer. The present article describes opportunities and nologies from publicly funded R&D labo- challenges involved particularly in transferring nanotechnologies from public funded ratories. Governments around the world R&D institutions to industry and the efforts of Government of India to promote nan- otechnology, with the help of few case studies. are therefore increasingly recognizing that promoting technology transfer and Introduction of impacting almost all sectors of the commercialization are keys to knowledge- industry and will be an engine for growth in based economy, leading to wealth genera- Research has shown that small and me- the 21st century. Nanotechnology prom- tion and job creation of their nations and dium sized enterprises (SMEs) play an ises significant social benefits, including are emphasizing that technology transfer important role in the economic develop- enhancements in medical diagnosis and and commercialization remain an impor- ment of countries worldwide. However, treatment, more efficient energy sources, tant part of the mission of their public in order to survive for more than a few novel sensors for agriculture, security and funded laboratories. years in markets where there are large other areas, lighter, stronger and cheaper The present article describes opportu- competitors, SMEs must nullify their size materials, smarter electronic products and nities and challenges involved in transfer- disadvantages either by forming alli- cleaner cheaper potable water (Palmberg, ring nanotechnologies particularly from ances with similar firms to increase the 2008). Therefore, not surprisingly, all gov- public funded R&D institutions to industry rate of market penetration and reduce ernments and industries the world over and the efforts of Government of India to financial risk, or by utilizing technology are investing heavily in the development, promote nanotechnology, with the help to overcome diseconomies of scale and and transfer of nanotechnology-based of few case studies. to produce innovations which differenti- processes, products and systems. To real- Opportunities ate themselves significantly from larger ize the large investments already made competitors. Because of SMEs limited re- in research, R&D outcomes or know-how Emerging applications of nano science sources and relative inability to absorb the generated need to be put in to use by the and technology (NS&T) costs and risks associated with in-house industry to produce and market the prod- The applications of nano science & tech- technology development, they must often uct or service in a competitive manner. The nology (NS&T) have been rapidly growing utilize the process of technology transfer process of taking R&D outcomes or know- worldwide in many areas during the last from public funded R&D laboratories to how from the laboratory to the market decade. Future developments and innova- take advantage of the benefits gained by place successfully is known as technology tions in the coming decade will show the technology and innovation. transfer or technology commercialization. stronger influence of nanotechnology on Nanotechnology is emerging as an It is often thought that technology trans- most of the materials, we are surrounded important enabling technology, capable fer is an orderly series of steps, i.e., proof with. Undoubtedly, NS&T have potential TECH MONITOR • Oct-Dec 2012 23 23-33 Purushotham.indd 23 15/01/13 4:21 PM Transfer of nanotechnologies from R&D institutions to SMEs in india: opportunities and challenges Table 1: Potential applications of nano science and technology (NS&T) Indian scenario The Government of India spends about Area Applications 0.9 per cent of its GDP on R&D through Nano composites Optical, electronic, lightweight structures for automobile its vast network of about 2006 central and aerospace application and state funded R&D institutions and Nano coatings Scratch-resistant, wear-resistant, corrosion resistant universities. The R&D expenditure is ex- hydrophobic, super hydrophilic, self-cleaning and anti- pected to increase to two per cent in the microbial. 12th Plan period (2012–2017). The public Hard cutting tools Surfaces wear and tear resistant tools with better mechanical funded R&D institutes are storehouses properties (e.g., tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, etc.). for development of innovative technolo- gies. The role SMEs in the economic and Nano electronics Computer chips, molecular electronics, field emission social development of the country is well displays, electronic inks, sensors established. The SME sector is a nursery of Energy Catalysts, Li-ion batteries, fuel cells, solar cells, hydrogen entrepreneurship, often driven by individ- storage, fuel additives for efficient combustion ual creativity and innovation. This sector Nano biotechnology Drug delivery systems, molecular imaging medical diagnosis, contributes eight per cent of the country’s medical robotics, tissue engineering, wound dressing, etc. GDP, 45 per cent of the manufactured out- Environment Catalytic converters, photo catalytic treatment of air and put, 40 per cent of its exports and provides water remediation. employment to about 65.9 million persons through 31.1 million enterprises and pro- Others applications Cosmetics, sanitary ware, nano additives in paints, duces wide range of products (over 7500). agriculture, food packaging, nano textiles, nano photonics, nano magnetics. There are large gaps or a valley of death that exists between the public funded applications in areas like electronics, op- and garden appliances, electronics and R&D labs and industry with regard to tics, biotechnology, healthcare, medicine, computers, food and beverages, sports technology development and transfer. energy, food and agriculture, construction, goods, paints, clothing, automotive and There is a strong need to strengthen the aerospace, defense, fast moving consumer aerospace components, etc. According industry-institute/academia interface to goods, etc. Table 1 shows some of the po- to published information (Purushotham, leverage the mutual strengths existing tential applications of NS&T. 2011), the nanotechnology inventory between them. contains 1317 products or product lines Thrust areas Global scenario in 2011. Figure 1 shows the share of dif- The major thrust areas of nano research Around 40 countries, including US, Japan, ferent nano materials used in consumer and technology development for India Germany, Republic of Korea, France, UK, Ire- and industrial applications. It can be seen are, energy (renewable), water manage- land, Singapore, Taiwan province of China from Figure 1 that large number of nano ment, medical and healthcare, food and as well as emerging countries like, Brazil, products in the market are using nano sil- agriculture and industries (such as textiles, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) ver followed by carbon nano tubes and automobile, construction, telecommuni- and others have shown considerable inter- nano Zn/ZnO. Considering the grow- cations, chemicals, steel, cement), internal est and are currently funding research in ing applications of nanotechnology in security, defense and environment (global nano science and technology. The global various fields, market research agency investments in nano science and technol- Luxresearch (www.luxresearchinc.com) ogy R&D have been increasing over the estimated that the market opportunity Gold years and reached to about USD 20 billion for nanotechnology based products by 7% in 2011 (Purushotham, 2011). It is estimated 2015 would be about USD 2.44 trillion. Ti/TiO2 that more than 2000 organizations around The breakup of this market opportunity 11% the world are active in nanotechnology is that nano materials USD2.9 billion, Si/SiO2 research and commercialization and this nano intermediates USD474 billion and 9% Silver 47% number is expected to increase significantly nano-enabled products USD1960 billion. Zn/ZnO within the next 10 years. In terms of num- In BRICS countries, the market