The United Arab Emirates is the ideal place to lead the Middle East in the study of nanotechnology, according to scientists at an international conference in Sharjah.
The Sharjah International Conference on Nanotechnology - organised by the American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah - held a platform of discussion into the futuristic science.
A number of experts at the cutting edge of scientific inquiry said nanotechnology was the number one priority for governments in Europe, Japan and the United States.
Reyad Sawafta, Chief Executive Officer of nanotechnology firm Quartek Corporation, said Sharjah could pio neer energy and water applications, while Dubiotech in Dubai can handle innovations in biotechnology.
"Somebody has to lead the field in this region, and I think the UAE is perfectly placed with its infrastructure, industries and academia," he said.
"To me, nanotechnology is the only way to ease the new pressures on energy and tackle pollution, as it can enhance fuel efficiency and decrease pollutants." Sawafta said advances in nanotechnology worldwide would see $2.9 trillion (Dh10.64trn) worth of products impacted in some way or another by 2014.
Some of the products his company is testing at present are flushable diapers and plastics that are biodegradable.
Their other innovations in the field are improved solar power and medicines.
Hussain Al Awhadi, Chair of Applied Physics department at the University of Sharjah said the three-day event was the beginning of what would become the Sharjah Nanotechnology Initiative.
"Nanotechnology is taking the world by storm.
"Everyone is trying to invest in this multibillion-dollar indutry.
"Unfortunately, the Arab world is not a part of this race which is why the two universities have got together.
"We have brought in some international experts to exchange ideas and set up a centre in the country." Nahla Al Amoodi, a graduate of the University of Shar jah, who is now doing research on biological nanotechnology, was one of the students attending the meet.
She said: "I was interested in finding out how nanotechnology was an interdisciplinary subject.
"This conference is a great foundation for more study into this field and I am proud that Sharjah is taking the lead in this matter.
What is nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the science of building machines on molecular scales using technology on an atomic or molecular scale with dimensions less than 100 nanometres.
A nanometre is one thousand millionth of a metre which means nanotechnology is the processing, separation, consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom or one molecule, according to the man who coined the term, Professor Norio Taniguchi.
One of the innovations nanotechnology brings is catalysts which can improve materials such as fuel, making them cleaner, longer-lasting and superior in performance.
By Adrian Murphy
© Emirates Today 2007
