- The Minister toured the Nanotechnology Fair together with some twenty business leaders from different industrial areas
“CEDENNA is an excellent example of how to develop excellent science connected with the country’s real and concrete needs. A place that is not only potential, but where the link between academia and the private sector becomes a reality, which is something we —as a country— need to work on a lot,” stressed Minister Aisén Etcheverry, after touring the nanotechnology fair of the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA) and meeting with researchers and more than twenty business representatives from various sectors.
During the tour, the head of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (CTCI) learned about the advances achieved through nanoscience and nanotechnology in areas as diverse as mining, construction, medicine, agriculture, the environment, food, energy and nanosafety.
Among the developments she saw were: cancer treatment using magnetic nanoparticles and hyperthermia; sensors to detect pathogens in food in record time; sensors to detect pesticides and fungicides in fruits and vegetables; smart packaging with nanoparticles to keep food for a long time, preserving its organoleptic qualities; mining sensors to detect uncrushables in mining (reducing multimillion-dollar losses in the sector); plant nanoparticles to create eco-friendly pesticides and fungicides and disinfectants for hospital environments; “nanoencapsulated” biofungicides for Chilean fruit orchards and vineyards; and the ELPI+ equipment (unique in the region) to measure environmental pollution by nanoparticles.
Minister Etcheverry was welcomed at Cedenna by Usach Pro-Rector Cristián Muñoz; the center’s executive director, Dr. Juan Escrig; the executive director of the Cedenna Foundation, Dr. Dora Altbir; and board representatives, with whom she toured the exhibition of the various technologies developed and learned about the multidisciplinary work generated in this community of 77 researchers from 14 universities, from Arica to Temuco.
At the end of her visit, the Minister stressed the importance the government gives to the union between science and business and announced that the government will promote new opportunities for companies and researchers to come together.
“The link between science, technology and industry is an essential link in the Science and Technology system in Chile and everywhere in the world. That is why at the ministry we are not only promoting the creation of more science- and technology-based companies, but the government, with President Boric’s vision, is promoting a technology and knowledge transfer project that will make this link between industry and academia more fluid, direct and routine; while also incorporating science and technology as an essential pillar of all our productive development policies,” said Minister Etcheverry.
She finally added that “today, when we think about lithium mining, green hydrogen or the food industry, we also do so considering science and technology as the tool that allows us to advance in development, sustainability and also the industries of the future”.
We invite you to watch part of the visit in the following video:
