Posted: January 7, 2008

Report on nanotechnology in Argentina published

(Nanowerk News) Dutch consulting firm Malsch TechnoValuation today released a report of a Fact Finding Mission to San Carlos de Bariloche and Buenos Aires during November 19-23, 2007.
The emerging nanotechnology research community in Argentina represents an untapped potential due to several factors including lack of international visibility. Argentinean researchers are interested in participating in international research cooperation, including under the European 7th Framework programme for Research and Technological Development FP7.
This report aims at stimulating such cooperation by highlighting the activities, human resources, research infrastructure and policies in the area of nanotechnology in Argentina. It is based on a visit to Bariloche and Buenos Aires from 19 until 23 November 2007. The visit is a follow-up of the EU funded NanoforumEULA project, and the report will be published online at www.nanoforumeula.eu and disseminated among interested parties in Europe and elsewhere.
The nanotechnology research community in Argentina is well connected and has good political contacts. They have personal relations to the new Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Lino Baranao. Most of the research is still mono-disciplinary, but there are some initiatives for interdisciplinary collaboration. Many research groups have extensive collaborations with partners in Europe in their own scientific field or for access to expensive research infrastructure (e.g. synchrotrons). These projects are funded by the Argentinean government or bilateral cooperation programmes (e.g. DAAD – Germany, France, UK, etc). There is intensive nanotechnology cooperation between Argentina and Brazil.
EU funded collaboration is rare, because of paper work and less favourable conditions for Argentinean participants than other programmes. There appears to be a gap between science and engineering, which starts in education. There are no nano-engineers, only mono-disciplinary nanoscientists.
Source: Malsch TechnoValuation