Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Latin America

Introduction

This chapter provides a survey of the status of nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N) in Latin America (LA), with special focus in the following four countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. N&N has already impacted the global economy, and it appears to hold a large economic potential that is just emerging. This, in turn, is bringing together strong interest from governments, academia, industry and investors in the most developed countries and some fast growing economies (China, India, etc.). In fact, according to Lux Research (Lux 2008), global funding in N&N during 2008 reached almost $20 billion with over 40% from governments, about 40% of corporate funding, and over 5% from venture capital contribution. Products incorporating nanotech reached over $240 billion with about 65% in manufacturing and materials, 25% electronics and IT and 10% in healthcare and life sciences. Lux predicts that nanotech will touch $3.1 trillion worth of products along the value chain by 2015. Latin America contribution to total investment and N&N products has been growing but still is quite small. For example, Latin American governments’ investment in N&N in 2006 reached just about $50 million (see Table 1).

Source: Kay L. & Shapira P. (2009)

GNI is the gross national income per capita at the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) as defined by the World Bank. PPP exchange rates equalize purchasing power across different countries. The data has been compiled from various sources [Kay L. & Shapira P. (2009)]