IANS 

Bangalore, Dec 7: Having triggered the growth of IT and biotechnology, this silicon city of India is set to spearhead development of nano-science and nano-technology in the country.

Inaugurating "Bangalore Nano 2007" here Thursday, Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur said the state government was collaborating with Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) to foster nano-science and nano-technology, leveraging the rich talent pool and science and technology (S&T) resources in the state.

"The state government has taken a lead in exploring priority areas of nano-scientific research and technology. A modest beginning was made last year and in the current fiscal (2007-08), budgetary support has been made to promote nano-technology," Thakur told about 500 delegates participating in the two-day event.

With nano-technology becoming a talking point in the scientific community, Thakur said developments in the emerging field herald multiple opportunities.

"As an inter-disciplinary field touching all aspects of life, nano-science will herald a new world order. Applications of nano-technology in diverse products are estimated to be $15 billion," Thakur pointed out.

"The sunrise sector holds huge opportunities as its increased usage and wider application have the potential to generate new business valued at $1 trillion over the next decade," he added.