The prestigious magazine Forbes published on September19th of 2017 an extensive interview with Dr. Mario Lanza, Young 1000 Talent Professorat the Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) of SoochowUniversity. In that interview Prof. Lanza highlighted the positive impact ofnanotechnology in modern societies, explained his work in the field ofinformation technologies, and highlighted his recent developments of twodimensional materials based non-volatile memory devices, including a patenteddevice that has received an investment of 5.6 million Yuan. Prof. Lanzadiscussed the benefits of nanotechnology in other fields, such as textile, foodengineering and nanomedicine. Finally, Prof. Lanza also highlighted theexcellent conditions to do research in China and Soochow University, especiallyin terms of funding and manpower.
Link tothe report (in Spanish): http://forbes.es/emprendedores/31659/mario-lanza-nos-descubre-la-nanotecnologia/
ENTIRE TEXT OF THE NEWS REPORT
If we talk about nanotechnology, it seems that we are puttingon the table an academic issue that has little to do with the lives of ordinarypeople. There is the concept that nanotechnology is a scientific revolution ofa few that pretend to create futuristic and little useful devices. Nothingfurther from reality, nanotechnology is basic to live in today's society. Allelectronic devices we use daily contain electronic components of nanometersize. These devices have allowed the creation of countless jobs, and haveimproved our efficiency. In addition, new areas such as medicine, food or thetextile industry are benefiting from these discoveries.
Mario Lanzais an expert in this area of work, not only for his studies, also thanks tothe experience he has been able to acquire around the world. Originally fromBarcelona, he finished his studies in Higher Engineering in his native city,as well as the Master and Doctorate, which he combined with his firstinternational experiences in the professional world. From Peking University toSilicon Valley to Stanford, at the age of 30 he began to run his own researchgroup at Soochow University (China), and shortly thereafter the Chinesegovernment granted him very generous funding to develop several projects."I currently run a team of 20 researchers," he says.
At the moment, Prof. Lanza worksin nanotechnology applied to the field of information, his specialty. "Wemanufacture electronic memories capable of storing large amounts of data intiny spaces. What we do is to introduceadvanced materials (such as graphene) to further increase its performance(speed, consumption, duration) and provide new functionalities (flexibility,transparency)." Recently, one of her students has developed a currentsensor to analyze materials and nanoelectronic devices that has a life time ahundred times longer than standard sensors. This project has been welcomed inthe market, making Chinese investors have given almost a million Euros to optimize and market this newtechnology. "Hopefully in a few years all the nanoelectronic laboratories willusethem," he says excitedly.
Nanotechnology and the 21st Century
The development of nanotechnology in the last decade has been spectacular, but Prof.Lanzabelieves that it is a path that has just begun to move. "Every time wedevelop a new material or device opens a wide range of possibleapplications." Fortunately, developed countries are investing heavily innanotechnology, and in general this is a rising sector in which there are moreand more jobs.
As we have already mentioned, the benefits of nanotechnology are seen day byday in our society, although work and investment do not guarantee success sincethe problems to solve are very complex. Traditionally, the sector that has madethe most progress thanks to nanotechnology is computing. The invention ofmicroprocessors has made it possible to develop the working tools of millionsof people: computers, telephones, internet ... "In this field there arestill many things to invent, such as neuromorph systems (which simulateneuronal brain functioning) or quantum computers (which are based on themovement of discrete atoms)." Prof.Lanzaclarifies.
Right now the biggest investments are directed to nanomedicine, so one of thesectors that has noticed this evolution is medicine. "Nanotechnology appliedto the field of medicine has allowed the introduction of cameras, sensors andactuators in the body, manipulatecells individually and apply treatments locally to avoid side effects in otherparts of the body."
More information: http://forbes.es/
Editor: Danting Xiang
