K’taka Has Strong Leadership Capability In Nano-powered Environmental Solutions: Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

Billionaire tycoon and Biocon Chair Kiran Mazumdar Shaw pointed to Karnataka’s leadership in advancing nanotechnology for environmental solutions, particularly in water purification and de-pollution on Friday. She detailed the state’s progress in this crucial technology and its role in tackling global sustainability challenges at the 13th edition of the Bengaluru INDIA NANO event.

Describing nanotechnology as the “technology of the invisible,” Shaw spoke on the importance of subatomic particles and their potential to revolutionise various industries. She noted the extensive research efforts at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), positioning Karnataka as a leader in nanotechnology. 

Using examples like carbon nanotubes used to strengthen silk, she illustrated how nanomaterials have diverse applications. “There was a very interesting experiment at Science Gallery, Bengaluru, where using carbon nanotubes silkworms were fed, which in turn produced silk with tenfold strength, which could have many applications,” she said.

Shaw spoke on nanotechnology’s transformative impact on future developments, particularly in electronics, battery storage and healthcare. “Nanoparticles have been playing a very important role in drug delivery. The mRNA vaccine was extremely dependent on lipid nanoparticles for delivery in an efficacious way. Today, nanoparticles are being used in drug delivery in many ways to improve drug efficacy and targeted drug delivery,” she explained.

She especially mentioned Karantaka’s role is advancing nanotechnology in environmental solutions. “When it comes to environmental solutions, today, a lot of water purification and solutions for de-polluting contaminated water is also using a large number of solutions that are derived from nanomaterials. I believe that this is an area that Karnataka has a strong leadership capability in.”

Shaw spotlighted the importance of a collaborative scientific ecosystem in Karnataka, where government, academia and industry work together to advance technology seamlessly. “The beauty of this scientific ecosystem that we have created in Karnataka is the alignment of government, academia, and the corporate world. And I think this is where we are able to translate science into technology in a very seamless manner,” she noted.

Concluding her address, Shaw expressed gratitude for the Karnataka government’s support for scientific initiatives. “I believe that without their support and their thought leadership, we would not be where we are. I think everyone who belongs to the scientific ecosystem in Karnataka and Bengaluru can very proudly say that because of a very far-sighted and visionary government, we are where we are.”