Report on Nanotechnology in Argentina published

Utrecht, 7 January 2008

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 7^th Framework programme for Research and Technological Development FP7. The present 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 Ineke Malsch, director of Malsch TechnoValuation 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 www.nanoforum.org, and will be 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.

A number of trends in nanotechnology in Argentina spring to mind after meeting and interviewing several researchers and entrepreneurs in San Carlos de Bariloche and Buenos Aires from 19 to 23 November 2007 and studying some background materials.

Education

The new nanotechnology research network intends to educate 60 researchers. This is enough for filling the academic posts, but would not be sufficient to address a potential industrial need for trained staff.

Equipment

The CNEA Atomic Energy Centre in Bariloche is well equipped for fundamental research. The Balseiro Institute there trains 35-40 excellent physicists, nuclear and mechanical engineers each year.

The University of Buenos Aires has a pressing need for funding equipment and infrastructure.

Finance

The weak economy and lack of capital for investing in high tech enterprises hampers the development and export of Argentinean high tech companies including INVAP.

Multidisciplinary collaboration

There is little experience in multidisciplinary research collaboration. The first projects involving chemists, physicists and biologists are ongoing. There is a gap between natural sciences and engineering. Education is not aimed at multidisciplinary or entrepreneurial skills development.

International cooperation

Researchers are collaborating a lot with partners in other parts of the world including Europe. This is mostly basic science, with partners in the same field or to have access to synchrotrons or other expensive infrastructure. The funding is mostly from bilateral programmes funded by SECYT or national funds of the cooperation countries. Most (senior) researchers have made a career in science abroad and have recently returned to Argentina. The German Max Planck Institute has signed an agreement to start an affiliated institute in Buenos Aires, probably inside the new Ministry of Science and Technology.

EU funded projects

Some researchers and entrepreneurs are interested in collaborating in EU funded projects. Many are scared off by the bureaucracy and dependence on European partners who must invite them to join consortia. Their chances of success are low because the Argentinean nanoscience community is not visible in Europe. There are few contacts with complementary groups needed for multidisciplinary cooperation under FP7.

Acknowledgement

The visit was made at the invitation of Professor Ernesto Calvo of the University of Buenos Aires, who hosted the fact finding mission. The Secretary for Science and Technology SECyT-ABEST office has funded the travel and subsistence. Their support is gratefully acknowledged.

About Malsch TechnoValuation

Malsch TechnoValuation is a Technology Policy Advisor and Science Communicator, specialising in Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies in their societal context. Director Ineke Malsch started the company in 1999 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and has since contributed to numerous European and Dutch projects, reports, books, websites, articles and workshops. Currently, Malsch TechnoValuation is technical manager of the EU project NanoforumEULA for stimulating Euro-Latin American nanocollaborations and project coordinator of EthicSchool, organising summerschools and developing e-learning tools on ethics of emerging technologies.

Please get in touch for more information: