Nanotechnology in Thailand

Thailand's agricultural industry is huge, employing about half the labour force in this country of 66 million people. The other main industries are tourism and car manufacturing.

The recent dramatic economic growth of neighbours – in particular Vietnam and India – prompted the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to establish the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) in 2003 as one of four national research centres under its jurisdiction. With an annual budget of 11 million USD, NANOTEC is investing in nanotechnology as a means of differentiating and adding value to agricultural products to compete with other agriculture based local economies.

NANOTEC has the dual role of serving as a national R&D centre and as a funding agency to support universities and other research institutes. It has established strong links with other institutes in Thailand and with more than 400 nanotechnology researchers, as well as with leading nanotechnology centres overseas.

Currently, NANOTEC consists of 10 central laboratories located at the Thailand Science Park:

• Nano Delivery System;
• Nanomolecular Target Discovery;
• Nano-cosmeceuticals;
• Nano Safety and Risk Assessment;
• Nanomolecular Sensor;
• Organic Nanomaterials;
• Hybrid Nanostructure and Nanocomposites;
• Nanomaterials for Energy and Catalysis;
• Nanoscale Simulation;
• Testing and Service.

Thailand is investing in science, technology and innovation to compete in the global market, especially with the approach of the single ASEAN market in 2015. A National Research and Development Master Plan is being drafted by the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI) with the aim of nurturing more local scientists and promoting collaboration research projects between government and private sector groups.

One of the major goals of NANOTEC is to be a "solution provider in nanotechnology", therefore a high percentage of the nanotechnology research is focused on industrial applications:

• textiles – antimicrobial fabric, self-cleaning and water repellent fabric;
• cosmeceuticals – nano-emulsions, controlled release nano-capsules;
• food – e-nose sensors for quality control processes.

Since its inception, NANOTEC has provided more than 14,000 testing services to industries and researchers annually. Furthermore, nano safety initiatives are being developed in compliance with international standards and global networks via SAICM, OECD and UNITAR. Recently, NANOTEC and Bangkok Botanica have entered into a research contract agreement, whereby NANOTEC's Nano-cosmeceuticals Laboratory will develop disposable gauze containing metal or metal oxide nanoparticles capable of sterilization and antibacterial action. This research will last 13 months from 1 September 2010 and includes testing compound activity, and antiseptic and anti-inflammatory applications.

In nanobiotechnology and the life sciences, NANOTEC is conducting research on nano-delivery systems, nanomolecular sensors, and nano-cosmeceuticals. For delivery systems, NANOTEC is developing platforms for drug delivery based on nano-encapsulation and molecular complexation techniques for the controlled release and target delivery of bioactive compounds. Nano-carriers studies include core-shell nanoparticles, self-assembly nanoparticles, polymer conjugates, nanoemulsion and molecular inclusion complexes. In addition, novel targeting moieties such as peptides, magnetic, and antibodies are being explored.

In nanomolecular target discovery, the design and development of antibody fragments for targeting infectious diseases and cancer are being investigated. The emphasis is on therapeutic antibody-based nanomolecules and molecular diagnostic tests.

NANOTEC strives to be a key international player in nanotechnology research. The directors emphasize the importance of global visibility and international collaboration to achieve these goals.

About the author
Adarsh Sandhu is editor of IOP Asia-Pacific

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