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Taiwan exploring how nanotech affects health

Taiwan, among other Asian countries, is heavily investing in nanotechnology — especially nanomedicine. They recognized the potential, and they’re jumping into it. However, they’re being cautious — National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan started a project which is supposed to explore the effects of nanotechnology on health.

The main goal of this research is to minimize the side effects caused by products based on nanotechnology. The officials in Taiwan reported that the value of products based on nanotechnology standards is over US$8.8 billion.
“Most of the simulation software currently used for nanotechnology research and its effect on the human body only supports the computation of either inorganic material or organic molecules. NCKU is the first institute to achieve a breakthrough that combines the simulation of organic and inorganic substances,” said Michael Lai, one of the researchers.

Israel diving into nanotechnology

During the past decade, nanotechnology has been rising constantly. Many countries’ governments and private investors have seen the potential it offers and invested large amounts of money in it. Before the economic crisis hit the world, many predicted that all industry branches will suffer, nanotechnology included. However, they were wrong, obviously.

In order to survive the current financial crisis, many countries’ governments are looking for ways to stabilize their economy and create something new that will boost their income. You’re guessing… they are turning to nanotechnology. Having in mind that predictions say that the global nanotechnology market will top $1 trillion by 2015, it seems that there is nothing to argue about investing in nanotech.

One of the countries that’s taken the path of nanotechnology is Israel. Israel is already known for many achievements in chemistry, physics, materials, medicine and many more fields of science — which makes it even easier for them to explore nanotechnology. There are already some implementations of nanotech, such as nano-based textile products with phase-change technology, the incorporation of nano-materials in metals to enhance performance while significantly reducing weight, the purification of water by nano-membranes, medical applications of tissue regeneration, nano-enabled drug delivery and other important implementations, etc.

On March 30th and 31st, a nanoconference will be held in Israel, in honor of Israel’s 60th anniversary. It will provide its visitors with an opportunity to see all the nanotechnology research and development capabilities amassed in Israel, through the encouragement and support of governmental programs such as those of the Office of Chief Scientist and MAGNET, as well as through unique collaborations of academic and industrial research.

Adopted from materials found at globes.co.il

China continues to invest in biotech

The global economic crisis has hit every part of the industry, and almost closed the door for new investments. However, that doesn’t seem to be true as far China is concerned.
The Municipal Government of Beijing will invest over $70 million in the biotech industry. They will be funding major projects in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sector. Their plan is to increase the output in the coming years.

Source: seekingalpha.com/article/121906-china-biotech-in-review-investments-continue