India aims to be one of the world leaders in the study and development of nanotechnology, and is investing in groundbreaking research to achieve this goal. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the most important national institute in India and one of the most prestigious scientific institutes in the world, has recently inaugurated a new laboratory in its Materials Research Centre (MRC). The lab's cutting-edge equipment was supplied by A.P.E. Research, a spin-off of Trieste's AREA Science Park specialised in the development of instruments and services for nanotechnology.

The new joint laboratory was recently inaugurated in Bangalore in the presence of local authorities and representatives from the academic world. The laboratory will work on the characterization of nanomaterials, electroceramics, and semiconductors, thanks to scanning probe microscopes (SPM) and atomic force microscopes (AFM) developed by the Trieste-based firm, which make it possible to "see" and analyze at atomic resolution natural and artificial nanostructures and nanosystems.  The new laboratory will also host technical and scientific training activities, specialized workshops, and applicative support activities for advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques. The IISc will be in charge of the laboratory and will ensure that researchers have access to equipment and logistical support.

"Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that promotes technological progress in a vast range of strategic sectors, such as electronics, biotechnology, and materials engineering" -Prof. K. B. R. Varma, MRC's chairman, pointed out during the inauguration. "For example, nanotechnology has the potential to transform current research on low-cost solar cells and on sensors. Some of the advances they may help usher in include faster computers with more powerful memories, filters to clean contaminated water, molecules to be used in anti-cancer drugs, and more".

"The goal of this new centre - adds Stefano Prato, head of R&D at A.P.E. Research - is to allow the scientific community to familiarize itself with the latest developments in scanning probe microscopy and to provide researches with a laboratory specifically set up for training and for testing samples".

"Beginning with our mission to India in 2007, promoted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government, AREA Science Park, and the relevant chambers of commerce - explains the company's director Stefano De Monte - we have established important partnerships with numerous prestigious Indian universities and research centres. Our latest collaborative venture strengthens our relationship with one of the main research centres in one of the world's largest countries, which is currently experiencing rapid economic and technological development".

A.P.E.RESEARCH srl

The company produces instruments and provide research services in the field of nanotechnology. Its main products are extremely high resolution probe microscopes and motion sensors, and instruments for materials science for the research and industry sectors (www.aperesearch.com).

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a leading national institute engaged in educational, research, and development activities in many areas of physics, engineering, and technology, with top-flight research facilities and staff. It is ranked number 1 among Indian scientific institutes, and number 14 in the world.

The Materials Research Centre (MRC) is currently active in the fields of nanomaterials, electroceramics, electro-optical functional materials, thermo-electric materials, structural ceramics, and composite semiconductors. It has produced over 500 publications in this sector, and is among the Institute's most active departments.