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| National Nanotechnology Center (Thailand) | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Nanotechnology Center (Thailand) |
| Native name | ศูนย์นาโนเทคโนโลยีแห่งชาติ |
| Established | 2003 |
| Type | Research institute |
| Location | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Parent | National Science and Technology Development Agency (Thailand) |
National Nanotechnology Center (Thailand) The National Nanotechnology Center (Thailand) is a government-funded research institute in Thailand dedicated to advanced nanoscale research, development, and innovation. It operates as a national hub linking academic institutions such as Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Kasetsart University with industry partners including PTT Public Company Limited, Siam Cement Group, and Bangchak Corporation to accelerate nanotechnology applications in health, agriculture, materials, and electronics. The center aligns with national strategies like the Thailand 4.0 economic model and works alongside regional initiatives such as the ASEAN science and technology programs.
Founded in 2003 under the auspices of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (Thailand), the center emerged from earlier proposals by researchers at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi and policy planners in Bangkok to create a dedicated nanotechnology institute comparable to the National Nanotechnology Initiative in the United States. Early collaborations involved projects with Japan Science and Technology Agency, European Commission, and the World Bank that influenced infrastructure investments and strategic plans. Milestones include establishment of cleanrooms co-developed with Hitachi partners, hosting conferences with delegates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Imperial College London, and Riken, and contributing to national roadmaps alongside Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (Thailand).
The center's mission emphasizes applied research, technology translation, and workforce development supporting national priorities set by Prime Minister of Thailand and the Board of Investment of Thailand. Objectives include promoting innovation with partners like National Science Foundation (United States), enhancing competitiveness for firms such as Thai Union Group and CP Group, protecting public health in cooperation with Department of Medical Services (Thailand) and Food and Drug Administration (Thailand), and integrating sustainability frameworks from United Nations Environment Programme and International Organization for Standardization.
Governance is provided through a board with representatives from National Science and Technology Development Agency (Thailand), the Ministry of Finance (Thailand), and academia including deans from Chiang Mai University and Prince of Songkla University. The center is organized into research divisions, technology transfer offices, and administrative units that liaise with innovation networks such as Thailand Management Association and standards bodies like Thai Industrial Standards Institute. Leadership has included directors drawn from National Science Foundation (United States)-trained researchers and alumni of University of Cambridge and University of Tokyo.
Research programs span nanomaterials, nanobiotechnology, nanoelectronics, and nanometrology, with laboratories equipped with instruments from JEOL, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Oxford Instruments. Facilities include cleanrooms, characterization centers with scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy platforms, and pilot-scale synthesis units used for projects with Bayer and BASF. The center runs thematic programs in medical diagnostics with partners such as Siriraj Hospital and Ramathibodi Hospital, agricultural nanotech with Department of Agriculture (Thailand), and energy materials with Energy Absolute (Thailand). It contributes to standards development with International Electrotechnical Commission and regional metrology collaborations involving National Institute of Metrology, Thailand.
The center maintains formal links with universities including Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tsinghua University, National University of Singapore, Seoul National University, and Peking University. It partners with international research organizations like European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fraunhofer Society, and CSIRO. Industry alliances include Samsung, LG Electronics, Panasonic, and chemical firms such as DuPont. Multilateral engagements include projects under Asian Development Bank grants and joint initiatives with UNIDO. Memoranda of understanding exist with National Research Council (Canada) and Korea Institute of Science and Technology.
Technology transfer activities are managed through incubators and spin-off support modeled on practices at Stanford University and Israel Innovation Authority. The center facilitates licensing agreements with firms like Thai Union Group and supports start-ups incubated in collaboration with True Corporation and Siam Commercial Bank. It participates in venture forums alongside Thailand Venture Capital Association and leverages patent filing strategies coordinated with the Department of Intellectual Property (Thailand), as well as international patent cooperation under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
Educational initiatives include short courses and graduate fellowships in partnership with Mahidol University, Chulalongkorn University, and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, and participation in outreach events such as science fairs with National Science Museum (Thailand) and Bangkok International Science Festival. Public engagement involves risk communication frameworks developed with World Health Organization and community programs coordinated with Royal Project Foundation. The center organizes conferences and workshops featuring speakers from Harvard University, University of Oxford, California Institute of Technology, and regional policymakers from ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation.
Category:Research institutes in Thailand Category:Nanotechnology