Technical Session II - Emerging Technology Systems of Innovation in Sri Lanka: Current Status and Challenges

1. Challenges in Nanotechnology
and Advanced Materials
Nilwala Kottegoda
University of Sri Jayewardenepura and
SLINTEC

2. Vision
Sri Lanka becomes a scientifically and
technologically advanced country by the year
2020.
Mission
To formulate and implement policies
pertaining to the popularization and
advancement of science and technology,
including scientific research and development
and transfer of technologies, to ensure
improved quality and productivity so as to
upgrade economic activities, which are
essential for the economic and social
development of Sri Lanka.

3. NNI – Sri Lanka 2006
Vision
Enhanced competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s
industry contributing to a strong economy by
capturing opportunities through innovations
in nanotechnology in a safe manner.

4. Mission
• Provide an enabling environment to promote industry targeted research,
developments and commercialization of nanotechnology.
• Establish a world-class research center with state -of-the-art equipment and
support facilities.
• Undertake capacity building to produce competent personnel, promote incubation
units to take science into industrial applications.
• Ensure that the national resource bases are protected and nurtured to enable Sri
Lanka to benefit from new developments.
• Provide opportunities for global businesses with quality processes and product
developments.
• Position Sri Lanka as an international destination for research and development in
nanotechnology.

5. “National Nanotechnology Policy of Sri Lanka” , 2006

6. Eco-System
Systematic Prioritization
State-of-the –art
facilities
Academia – industry
partnerships
Intellectual property
Regulatory frame work
Commodity export
Smart nation
Funding

7. Investment in Science & Technology
• Pakistan - India 0.6 – 0.9%
• Thailand 0.24 %
• Malaysia 0.7%
• Singapore 2.2%
• Korea 2.6%
• Sri Lanka 0.14%

8. Science, Innovation & Global Prosperity
• High income countries over 12,000USD
Norway, USA, Western Europe, Australia, Korea,
Singapore, Taiwan, Israel, Gulf state
• Upper middle income 3,500 -12,000USD
Russia, Latin America, South Africa. Malaysia
• Low middle income 1,000 – 3,500USD
China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka
• Singapore 446
• India 385
• Malaysia 133
• Thailand 32
• Pakistan 4.4
• Sri Lanka 1.8
• Bangladesh 0.2
Investment in Science & Technology
• Pakistan - India 0.6 – 0.9%
• Thailand 0.24 %
• Malaysia 0.7%
• Singapore 2.2%
• Korea 2.6%
• Sri Lanka 0.14%
Average number of patents
Source: World economic forum 2012

9. Global Innovation Index 2012
World Rankings
(World Economic Forum 2012)
Innovation Technology readiness rank 2008
Singapore 13 07
Korea 08 16
Malaysia 40 15
Thailand 43 39
India 27 57
Sri Lanka 69 74
Bangladesh 98 106

10. State-of-the-art Facilities
• Infra structure and equipment
• Access to data bases
• Unavailability of centralized facilities

11. Systematic Prioritization
The list of nanotech applications that are most
likely to benefit the developing world in the
near future are broadly related to
– Energy storage, production and conversion
– Enhancement of food and agricultural productivity
– Water treatment and remediation
– Apparel industry
– Diagnosis and treatment of disease

12. Nanomaterials Nanoservices
Nanointegrated
Manufacturing

13. No mutual understanding among the researchers
Lack of strong industry and science base
Lack of ability to translate R&D investments into economic
outcomes as industry is dominated by multinationals;
therefore R&D adoption decisions taken outside the country
Resources for participation in front line science lacking
Lack of global partnerships and entrepreneurship
ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN ACADEMIA
& PRIVATE SECTOR

14. Eco-system
• Status of the human resource pool
• No right eco-system for research beyond the
bench – incubators/pilot plants
• Lack of local talents for advanced equipment
handling, maintenance and repair
• Lack of collaborations between the
researchers

15. Human Resource Pool
Engineers
Scientist
Economists
Policy makers
Environmentalists
Investors
Lawyers
Politicians

17. Intellectual Property
• 3P Model
No of S-T papers published
Competitiveness of patents
Market value of Products
- High costs for acquisition of intellectual property
- No national policy for patent filing
- Very few high value patents pass through local patent office
- Patent valuation access is limited
- Lack of human and policy capacity
- Trade barriers
- Lack of talents
- Political instability
- Lack of idea protection mechanisms and intensifying researchers

19. Regulatory Framework
- Lack of a comprehensive standards infrastructure, database or
regulatory framework including protocols for risk and life
cycle assessment for nanotechnologies globally scares
less developed countries from wanting to adopt the
innovation
- Barriers to research resulting from current administration and
financial regulations such as cumbersome procurement
procedures

20. Concept
Prototype
Intellectual Property
Business Plan
Venture Capital
Scaling Up
Commissioning
Production
Innovation Road Map

21. Every once in a while
something
new is discovered or
created that changes
Every thing !

22. SLINTEC Directive
1. Build a world-class Research & Development centre specialized in
Nanotechnology & Advanced Technology
1. Make products more competitive using Nano & advanced technologies.
2. Add value to Sri Lanka’s mineral resources.
2. Build a Nanotechnology and Science Park for research,
development and commercialization of innovations
Company Confidential

23. Company Confidential
Research Partners
Company Confidential1
Research Partners

24. SLINTEC Achievements
Patents, Publications & Royalties
• SLINTEC has filed for 11 patents 9 of which are in the US patent office and 2 in Sri
Lankan patent office. (3 of the international patents have been granted). New patent in
process of being filed in the US.
• 3 patents were sold to Nagarjuna Corporation Limited in India. (Received US$1.0
million)
• Sold a patent to a local party as an outcome to a research project
• Published in excess of 39 papers in reputed local and international journals
• Generating our first royalty revenue stream from successful research project with
Textured Jersey (Rs 3.9 million in first 7 months)
• In the process of evaluating two projects that have completed the research phase with a
view to possible commercialization
Company Confidential

25. SLINTEC Achievements continued
Partnerships
• Signed a contract with Laugfs Gas to build a pilot plant to check the feasibility
converting Ilmenite to Titanium Dioxide
• Partnered 27 clients and generated in excess of Rs 150 million through cont
research since September 2011.
• Signed MOU’s with several local Universities and Nanyang Technology University (“NTU”) in
Singapore and a Cooperation Agreement with the Yunnan Rural Science and Technology Servi
Centre in Kunming, China
• Carrying out strategic research projects on behalf of the Government
Endowment
• Created an endowment fund and raised Rs 31mn. One platinum sponsor (25 million), one silv
sponsor Rs 5.0 million and Rs 1.0 million as the first contribution to the Brick for Science.
Company Confidential

26. SLINTEC Achievements continued
Brain Gain
• Attracted 11 PhD qualified Sri Lankan scientists to relocate
• Provided on the ground training for graduates moving on for higher education. Thus far we h
seen 23 staff members move on to obtain PhD’s from highly recognized Universities in the W
• Significant contribution to changing the research landscape in the country through many of
awareness programs carried out by SLINTEC
Company Confidential