Mumbai, 05th August, 2024: The 13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024, organized by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science & Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) held at The Lalit, concluded today with resounding success. Themed “Nanotechnology for Sustainability: Climate, Energy, and Healthcare,” the summit served as a stage for a diverse array of participants, including researchers, scientists, academicians, industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students. Notable personalities, including Balajee Sowrirajan, Managing Director of Samsung Semiconductor India Research; Dr. Debashish Bhattacharjee, Vice President, Technology & R&D, Tata Steel Limited; Dr. Suraj Rengarajan, CTO, Applied Materials India, addressed the attendees besides several key dignitaries.
The event featured 81 speakers across 41 sessions, 1018 delegates, 11 countries, 49 exhibitors, and 200 posters. The exhibition had a footfall of 3,000+ visitors. Global Innovation Partner Countries like USA, Germany, and the Netherlands curated exclusive sessions in the GIA track. The last two days witnessed more than 150 B2B Meetings exchanges through partnering tool- InterlinX, virtually and physically. The exhibition hall showcased 49 exhibitors which included 21 Startups and 28 exhibitors from the Industry and Institutes. Some of the key exhibitors included Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS Pilani), Huber Process Control Systems India, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Park Systems India and Middle East, Pennsylvania Trade & Investment Office – India, Ray Nano Science and Research Centre LLP, SASTRA Deemed University, Semix Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-B) and VTU.
Speaking at the Valedictory, Shri N.S. Boseraju, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology and Minor Irrigation, Government of Karnataka, stated, “Over the past three days, we have delved into the transformative potential of nanotechnology, a field poised to revolutionize industries and improve lives. I am pleased that Karnataka and Bangalore have been central to these discussions, reflecting our commitment to advancing science and technology. Our government is dedicated to fostering innovation, as seen in our support for both nanotechnology and emerging fields like quantum technology. We are investing in science centers across Karnataka and constructing a state-of-the-art facility in Bangalore to promote scientific inquiry and curiosity. These efforts are aimed at addressing critical global challenges such as climate change, food security, and water security. As we move forward, let us harness these technologies to drive sustainable development and ensure that scientific advancements serve humanity with compassion and responsibility.”
On the closing day, the opening plenary session were conducted by Dr. T. Pradeep, Professor at IIT Madras, and Prof. S. Sampath, Professor and Chair of the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry at IISc Bangalore, who delivered a captivating session on “Can Water Microdroplets Make Soil?” Following this, Balajee Sowrirajan, Managing Director of Samsung Semiconductor India Research, and Prof. S. Sampath, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry | IISc Bangalore gave a compelling and insightful plenary talk on “AI in Semiconductors.”
The conference focused on key topics such as “Nano in Climate,” presented by Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula, Faculty, DBT-INSTEM, India; Prof. Neetu Singh, Professor & Head, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India; Dr. Suraj Rengarajan, CTO, Applied Materials, India; Dr. Dinesh Rangappa, Professor & Chairperson, Department of Applied Sciences (Nanotechnology), VTU, India. “Nano in Healthcare,” presented by Prof. Suddhasatwa Basu, FIPI Chair Professor, IIT Delhi, and former Director, IMMT, IIT Delhi, India; Prof. Vinu R, Professor, IIT Madras, India; Dr. Pushplata Singh, Senior Fellow and Associate Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India; Dr. Suman Basu, Section Head – Battery Pack (AVP), Reliance Industries Limited, India; Dr. Sudhir Dapurkar, Lead Scientist, Tata Chemicals, Innovation Centre, India; Capt. Purushothama Bhat, General Manager, Head of Flight Test & Operations, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, India; K Krishna Moorthy, President and CEO, IESA, India. “Nano in Energy,” presented by Shri Puneet Mehrotra, Director, Nano Science and Technology Consortium, India; Dr. Debashish Bhattacharjee, Vice President, Technology & R&D, Tata Steel Limited, India; Dr. Tharamani C N, Professor, IIT Ropar, India; Prof. Sagar Mitra, Professor, IIT Bombay, India.
Speaking at the Valedictory of 13th Bengaluru INDIA NANO event at the Lalit, Dr. Devi Shetty, Founder, Narayana Hrudayalaya Pvt. Ltd, said, “I firmly believe that India will be the first country in the world to dissociate healthcare quality from wealth, demonstrating that every citizen can access top-tier healthcare regardless of financial status. This transformation is not a distant dream, it is set to happen in the next five to ten years, propelled by rapid advancements in healthcare technology and the dedication of brilliant innovators. At Narayana Hrudayalaya, we have been pioneering this journey for over 20 years, culminating in the creation of a groundbreaking digital platform called Athma. This platform is revolutionizing healthcare delivery by enabling seamless patient registration, remote monitoring by intensivists, and early detection of critical conditions like cardiac arrests through AI-driven analysis. Our vision is for every hospital to adopt such digital technology, dramatically reducing medical errors and improving patient outcomes. Moreover, the recent steps by the Insurance Regulatory Authority to allow hospitals to become health insurance providers will have a profound impact. This alignment of interests between hospitals and patients will drive the healthcare industry forward. Our aim is to provide health insurance coverage to the 100 million middle-income families in India, ensuring they are protected against catastrophic illnesses with affordable premiums. The future of our country will not be a mere extension of the present; it will be shaped by the dreams and efforts of all of you. Together, we can build a healthcare system that is equitable, efficient, and innovative.”
The Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award 2024 was bestowed upon the JNCASR-CeNS-SGRI Team for their breakthrough Smart Glass Technology, accompanied by a trophy, a certificate, and a cash award of Rs. 1,00,000.
The Karnataka DST Nanoscience Fellowships were awarded to five scientists: Ms. Sumita Mukherjee from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Berhampur; Ms. Soumi Mondal from the New Chemistry Unit, JNCASR, Bengaluru; Dr. Kenneth Lobo from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bangalore; Ms. Manisha Bungla from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; and Mr. Sourav Rudra from the Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, JNCASR, Bengaluru. Each recipient received a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000.
The Nanotech Quiz, a national-level competition, aims to promote awareness about the fascinating world of nanotechnology among students, especially at the grassroots level, ensuring they stay informed about the latest advancements in the field. 437 students from 22 States and 2 Union Territories participated in the Zonal Rounds of Nanotech Quiz. The first-ever physical grand finale of Nano Quiz was conducted this year, and Mr. Animesh – Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra from the East Zone emerged as the National Winner, earning a cash prize of Rs. 50,000. The 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up were awarded Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 30,000, respectively.
In the Nano SparX Startup Pitch, a total of 18 startups from across the country participated in the competition. Out of these, five finalists—Neer Shakti Systems Pvt. Ltd, Pradaan Innovation Labs LLP, Vimano, Trinano Technologies Pvt. Ltd, and Shilps Sciences—showcased their groundbreaking ideas. After a rigorous evaluation, Vimano and Neer Shakti Systems Pvt. Ltd startups were selected as winners for their outstanding pitches, demonstrating their potential to make significant contributions to nanotechnology winning Rs 50,000 cash prize each.
The Best Poster Awards, a highlight of Bengaluru India Nano, showcased innovative research from over 200 young researchers. With participation from 35 cities, 19 states, 3 entries from abroad, and 70 institutions—including 145 posters from Bengaluru—the event was a vibrant platform for emerging talent. The top 15 posters were honored with a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 and a certificate. Notable institutions among the winners included the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela; IIT Roorkee; Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources; Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences; Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research; and the Institute of Nano Science and Technology.
At the Valedictory, several exhibitors were recognized for their exceptional showcase. The Exhibitor Awards featured various categories, with Park Systems winning in the Interactive & Best Managed category. Indian Oil Corporation Limited was honored for its Content & Information, while the Ray Nano Science & Research Centre received the award for Innovative Display.
The 13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO has not only showcased the latest advancements in nanotechnology but has also fostered collaboration and innovation among the brightest minds in the field. The event’s success highlights its importance as a global platform for knowledge exchange and networking, paving the way for future breakthroughs in sustainability, climate, energy, and healthcare.