Mysuru:  A two-day international conference on Nano-materials and their Applications organised by University of Mysore and supported by UGC-CPEPA, UPE and DST-PURSE programmes commenced this morning at Vijnan Bhavan auditorium in Manasagangothri here.

About 200 delegates are participating in the conference to deliberate and discuss on scaling up fundamental laboratory research to industrial scale with vast applications covering engineering, biology, food industry and medicine.

Inaugurating the programme, Prof. G.D. Yadav, Vice-Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, observed that nanotechnology had entered all sectors and claimed that many research centres on the subject were in South India. He pointed out that nanotechnology has gained such a paramount importance today that even economists are speaking on the topic with exclusive reference.

Speaking as the chief guest, Prof. K. Byrappa, Vice-Chancellor, Mangalore University, contended that nanotechnology is not a new concept as it has roots from ages with application in Ayurveda. However, he opined that intensive research in nanotechnology has been benefiting the industrial sector.

A book on Nanotechnology Application in the Food Industry (edited by Prof. V. Ravishankar Rai and Dr. A. Jamuna Bai), was released on the occasion.

Central University of Karnataka Chancellor Prof. N.R. Shetty was the guest of honour.

Chief Co-ordinator Dr. G. Hemanth Kumar, Organising Chairman Prof. Ravishankar Rai, Convenor Prof. N.K. Lokanath, Secretary Dr. S. Umesh and others were present.