Nanotechnology—the branch of science and engineering devoted to designing, producing, and using structures, devices, and systems by manipulating atoms and molecules at nanoscale, i.e. having one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nanometers (100 millionth of a millimeter) or less—opens the door to innovation across a wide variety of industries, from fashion and clothing to health and wellness. As early as 2006, Dr. Gil Nonato Santos already had his iNano Research Facility up and running.
iNano has been providing nanotech-related services to academic institutions and industries, from manufacturing nanoparticles to nano-coating materials. Its diverse range of projects includes an abaca fabric coated with nanocomposites that can be used for spacesuits. Another project is focused on detecting lung diseases such as active tuberculosis, which affects 10 million people worldwide.
Santos received his doctorate from the University of the Philippines-Diliman National Institute of Physics (UPD-CS NIP). He is currently a full professor at De La Salle University-Laguna (DLSU-Laguna) and a visiting professor at Osaka University.
Based out of DLSU-Laguna, iNano has collaborations with institutions and companies across the globe, including a prestigious partnership with Integrated Microelectronics Inc (IMI), a global company that manufactures electronics and semiconductors, and support from USAid. iNano also has collaborations with the Lung Center of the Philippines and National Taiwan University.
More of iNano’s achievements and goals were discussed by Santos at iStories session last Nov. 20. iStories is a series of monthly innovation-themed talks, storytelling, and activities featuring local and international scientists. The initiative aims to ignite the creativity and inventiveness of young scientists not just from UPD-CS but also from other institutes inside and outside of UP. (Story courtesy of UPD-CS Science Communications)