von With the above backdrop a review of China’s progress in nanotechnology is discussed in succeeding paragraphs.
A development strategy plan in respect of nanotechnology for the period 2001–2010, was issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2001. The plan was drawn in consultation with the National Natural Science Foundation Committee (NNSFC), the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Education and, the National Development and Programme Committee. Under the plan continuous improvements are sought in innovation, development of technology and establishing industrial products specific to China’s long term national development objectives. In medium term the aim is to develop nanomedical and bionano technologies, whereas in the long term emphasis is on nanochips and nanoelectronics.
700 Institute level agreements and about 70 cooperation agreements, spanning over 60 countries, have been signed by The Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). These encompass multi-lateral and bilateral seminars, workshops, joint ventures, young scientist groups, joint investigations, training courses, etc. Thus it can be seen that China is not shying away from acquiring fundamental research benefits through collaborations
According to the policy plan, the Chinese government is committed to continuously improve innovative capability, develop advanced technology and finally attain industrial applications relevant to China’s present status with a focus on national long-term development. With this plan the Chinese government also made clear that it will insist on its set principle that it will support what is beneficial to China, i.e. catching up with international development in general, while finding breakthroughs that can solve key problems in China (Gu, Schulte, 2005)5.
In basic research and advanced technology, exploration and innovation are emphasised; in applications, the development of nanomaterials is the main objective for the near future. The development of bionanotechnology and nanomedical technology is a main objective for the medium term, whereas the development of nanoelectronics and nanochips is a long-term objective. Therefore across the board coordination and safe guarding of IP rights is to be mandated.
The key areas identified include; accelerating communication and multidisciplinary R&D, aligning market requirement with R&D, aligning nanotechnology development with innovation policy, keeping focus on IPR while promoting fundamental and applied research. The tenth five year plan highlights; exploring market requirement based application, focus on mass production, research and education, accelerating nanotech research leading to formation eventually of national nanotechnology system, by first establishing a nanotechnology centre. As fundamental research bears fruit, it will be utilised to design new nanochips, nanomaterials and structures using molecular manufacturing techniques. subsequently a database and a standard on national level would be established, creating a fertile ground for flourishing of industrial applications and nanotech industry. The Chinese government plans to provide strong support to existing labs and institutions to enable them to become leading nanoscience laboratories, this will also lead to an internal competition amongst them and in turn, better research outputs. For achieving this goal two approaches have been identified (Gu, Schulte, 2005): 6.
- A national science nanotechnology research centre with latest equipment is to be established as a national pilot centre with multi-disciplinary environment.
- A national nanotechnology engineering research centre to speed up innovative research in nanotech application areas and its industrialisation thereafter.
The Chinese Government has set up a national nanotechnology development overseeing committee, called the Guidance and Coordination Committee of National Nanotechnology with representation from all connected and relevant ministries.
Funding for nanotechnology comes from programme 973 and 863, the Natural Science Foundation and the National Technology Gong Guan Programme. Private funding is not yet very significant but is likely to catch up in future as more and more applications mature.
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Nanotech R&D centres
Beijing and Shanghai have the two major R&D centres for nanotechnology in China. The Beijing Nanotechnology centre encompasses, Beijing Chemical Engineering University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Institute of Construction Materials Research, Beijing Science and Technology University, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, the Beijing Steel Chief Research Institute, Jilin University, Tianjing University, Beijing University, Chinese Academy of Science Institutes(Semiconductors, Physics, Chemistryand Metallurgy) etc.
The MEMS (micro-elctro-mechanical systems) revolution, has opened frontiers of scientific developments which will have great significance in national defence and economy; it will usher in a ‘nano-era’ in the 21st century encompassing nanobiology, nanomanufacturing, nanomechanics, nano-electronics, anomicrology, nanocontrol, nanosurveying and the study of nanomaterial
The Shanghai Nanotechnology centre encompasses Shandong University, Chinese Science and Technology University, Tongji University, Huadong Normal University, Nanjing University, Huadong Science and Engineering University, Chinese Academy of Sciences Institutes (Metallurgy, Solid Physics, Silicates and Nuclear Science) Shanghai Technological Physics Institute, Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiaotong University etc. In addition to the above, Chengdu, Xian and Lanzhou are the cities where nanotechnology research is being carried out.
The development of nanomaterials is the main objective for the near future. The development of bionanotechnology and nanomedical technology is a main objective for the medium term, whereas the development of nanoelectronics and nanochips is a long-term objective
The national and local governments have set up organisations for promoting nanotechnology, some of them are; the Jiangsu Engineering Center of Nanotechnology, the Guidance and Harmonisation Committee of National Nanotechnology, the Shanghai Industrialisation Base of Nanotechnology, the National Industrialisation Base of Nanotechnology in Tianjing, the National Industrialisation Base of Biological, the Shenyang Industry Park of Nanotechnology and Medical Nanomaterials in Sichuan, etc. (Gu, Schulte, 2005).
Strategic collaborations
Phillip Shapira, a professor in the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology has said “Despite ten years of emphasis by governments on national nanotechnology initiatives, we find that patterns of nanotechnology research collaboration and funding transcend country boundaries. For example, ”we found that US and Chinese researchers have developed a relatively high level of collaboration in nanotechnology research. Each country is the other’s leading collaborator in nanotechnology R&D.” (Quoted in Georgia Institute of Technology Research News — 09 December 2010). This is not surprising since 700 Institute level agreements and about 70 cooperation agreements, spanning over 60 countries, have been signed by The Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). These encompass multi-lateral and bilateral seminars, workshops, joint ventures, young scientist groups, joint investigations, training courses, etc. Thus it can be seen that China is not shying away from acquiring fundamental research benefits through collaborations, it clearly realises that today’s R&D involves tremendous monetary and material resources and there is no gain in reinventing the wheel. It has protected its own research through strict IPR and prefers those who invest in China and research in fields required by the Chinese National development plan.
Contribution to defence efficiency
As the nanotechnology programme is based upon the overarching military strategy in respect of nanotechnology; it requires that it enhances defence capabilities and efficiency by developing military specific nanomaterials, nano aircraft, nano engine technologies, nanosensors and nanosatellites etc. Nanotechnology has enabled significant improvements in triggering devices of strategic weapons by ruggedising, fusing, arming and exploding mechanisms. Further on another front, there has been a quest to develop very low yield nuclear explosives which could be used as controlled micro explosions source for nuclear bombs as well as weapons if compact fusing mechanisms were available. This got a further impetus when it was found that it was more practicable to design a micro-fusion explosive then a micro-fission device. (Micro-fusion results in much less radioactive fallout then an equivalent fission explosive!). This research forms the main thrust areas at nuclear weapons laboratories like US National Ignition Facility (NIF) and the French Laser Mega Joule Laboratory.
There are speculations about China’s Nanoweapons programme but nothing concrete has been cited as yet, it is a question of time before these dual use technologies fructify into tactical Nuclear weapons in the 10 to 100 KT TNT range, which is below the NPT levels and also highly efficient fourth generation strategic Nuclear weapons.
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5. Gu, Hongchen and Schulte, Jurgen (2005), Scientific Development and Industrial Application of Nanotechnology in China, in Nanotechnology: Global Strategies, Industry Trends and Applications Edited by J. Schulte, 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
6. 1,ibid
About the Author
Rear Adm (Dr) S Kulshrestha (retd) — The writer has held the post of Director General Naval Armament Inspection at the NHQ prior to his superannuation. He is an ardent exponent of indigenisation and self-reliance in the field of military weapon systems and armament.
Note by the Author:
Developing military specific nanomaterials, nano aircraft, nano engine technologies, nanosensors and nanosatellites etc. Nanotechnology has enabled significant improvements in triggering devices of strategic weapons by ruggedising, fusing, arming and exploding mechanisms. Further on another front, there has been a quest to develop very low yield nuclear explosives which could be used as controlled micro explosions source for nuclear bombs as well as weapons if compact fusing mechanisms were available
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