Official: Iran ranks first in nano science production in region

Iran has achieved eye-catching breakthroughs in the field of nano- science and technology, an Iranian official announced, adding that the country ranks 1st in the field of nano science production in the region. Iran ranked first in nanoscience in the region and the eighth in the world by producing 4 percent of the world's nanoscience, Secretary-General of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC) Saeed Sarkar announced. He added that production of nanoscience has taken an increasing trend as the country has advanced 50 levels during 2000-2012 period. Sarkar last year announced that Iranian experts and scientists are able to produce 38 nanotechnology laboratory tools and equipment. "Iran produces 38 nanotechnology lab equipment domestically," Sarkar said in a meeting in the Northern city of Sari in September. Stressing Iran's huge growth in nanotechnology, he predicted that the country will soon witness a new wave of progress in the field of nanotechnology. Sarkar also said that different Iranian industries, including the country's auto-manufacturing companies, are making an increasing use of nanotechnology in their products. "Nanotechnology has been employed in 8 Iranian industries, including the car-manufacturing industry," he told FNA. The nanotechnology growth indicators for Iran have marked a high rise during the recent years as in the total number of the scientific publications, the country has just jumped up two ranks (at the beginning of 2012) to stand 10th in the world. Iran ranked 14th, in the same list, at the beginning of 2011.