| Mexico
counts eleven research groups at three universities and two
research institutes, which are active in nanotechnology. About
ninety researchers are engaged in relevant research. The main
trends in nanotechnology research in this Central American country
are development of new materials, properties of nanoparticles
and nanostructures and nanodevices. These are some results of
Volker Lieffering’s “Study on the Nanotechnology and Microsystems
Technology sector in Mexico”, published by Malsch TechnoValuation
in November 2004. Two
Mexican companies are openly active in nanotechnology. Recently,
Mexican researchers have developed and patented anti-graffiti
paint based on nanotechnology. The study also gives an overview
of nanotechnology application potential in sectors which are
important for the Mexican economy. These sectors are renewable
energy, agriculture and environment.
There
is currently no national nanotechnology research programme,
but nanotechnology research and technology transfer projects
can be funded through several national and international programmes.
Mexican researchers are collaborating with partners in the
USA as well as Europe. The study gives practical information
on these.
A
bottleneck for the development of a Mexican nanotechnology
industry is the current patent system. Chris Kraul published
“For researchers in Mexico, apathy has been the smotherer
of invention” in LA Times, 4 December 2003, complaining about
this. The Mexican government had better cut some red tape
quickly, to stimulate the ninety nano-enthusiasts currently
working in the country to stay home and invent good nano-products
for the country’s sustainable development. Given the expected
global lack of qualified nanotechnology personnel in the near
future, the absence of speedy action will definitely enhance
the brain drain.
We
have decided to publish this book because the Latin American
nanotechnology scene is systematically being ignored in analyst
reports and studies about nanotechnology in the world. Only
Dr Mihail Roco of the National Nanotechnology Initiative in
the USA has published about nanotechnology in Mexico before.
With this “Study on the Nanotechnology and Microsystems Technology
sector in Mexico” we hope to facilitate European-Mexican nano-collaborations.
After all, good scientists and technologists can originate
from any part of our global knowledge society.
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