Pretoria-The third International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is scheduled to kick-off in Pretoria on Monday.
According to the Department of Science and Technology, the conference is aimed at showcasing South African research, development and innovation in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
The 3rd International conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology brings together leading scientists from 14 countries across the world.
NanoAfrica 2009 is organised jointly by the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANI) and the National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials (NCNSM), in association with the Department.
The department's media liaison and communication assistant director, Zama Mthethwa said the conference follows the NanoAfrica conferences held under the auspices of SANI in 2002 and 2003 respectively as a forum for South African nanotechnology and nanoscience researchers.
She said the conference will provides an opportunity for students, researchers, technologists and entrepreneurs from many different countries and institutions to exchange ideas on the latest developments and future trends in the multidisciplinary field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Ms Mthethwa said there will be plenary lectures focusing on three areas such as nanocomposites, nanomaterials and characterisation.
She said the three areas are important in nano research and also represent the three pillars of the NCNSM.
The NCNSM was formed as part of the DST National Nanotechnology Strategy roll-out at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
The National Nanotechnology Strategy identifies six focus areas that would be of particular value in responding to South Africa's challenges.
These focus areas that will also be deliberated at the conference are water, health, energy, chemicals and bio processing, mining and minerals as well as advanced materials and manufacturing.
Ms Mthethwa told BuaNews that the department is confident that the interaction of the conference will lead to further collaboration and the achievement of research goals which will benefit ordinary South Africans.
She also announced that SANI will launch its student chapter at the conference.
"The student chapter is expected to provide sustainability for SANI as an organisation as well as for nanoscience and technology research in South Africa.
"It will deal with the issues that affect students working in nanoscience and technology research in the country, particularly financing, resources, networking and awareness issues.
"This is in line with the government's national human resource development initiative to develop critical scarce skills," she said.
For a developing country like South Africa, human capital development and collaboration with the rest of the world are critical for the achievement of goals, according to Ms Mthethwa.
The India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) Nanotechnology forum, initiated in 2003 by the three country's Ministers of Foreign Affairs will also be launched at NanoAfrica 2009.
During previous IBSA mission's health, water, Energy and advanced materials were identified as areas of mutual interest for possible collaboration. All of these tie in with the National Nanotechnology Strategy.
Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena will deliver a keynote address during the opening session on Monday. The conference will end on Wednesday.
