New nanotech centre attracts researchers back to Turkey
A new nanotechnology research institute in Turkey is attracting scientists that had moved abroad back to their country of origin. The new six-storey building is being built under the auspices of Bilkent University. The Turkish State Planning Organisation has contributed €6.1 million to the building project, while Bilkent University has provided €2.3 million. To mark the launch of the Turkish National Nanotechnology Research Centre (UNAM), a team of Bilkent University scientists presented the country's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with the world's smallest Turkish flag. The lines on the flag are 100 nm thick (about 50 thousandths of human hair) and 2 nm high. The Centre's initial staff comprises 25 scientists and 40 student assistants, a number of whom have come from abroad. Assistant Professor Mehmet Bayindir for example has been conducting research on laser fibres at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The newspaper Today's Zaman says that Mr Bayindir was surprised, upon his return to Turkey, to see the resources available for research, and believes that many more young scientists will go back to Turkey. Another returnee is Assistant Professor Ömer Ilday, known within his field for his development of the 'similariton laser' at Cornell University. The laser makes it possible to cut and process any material, from steel, glass and ceramic to living tissues, at the nano scale. The Centre will put out periodical calls for proposals, and international participation in the resulting projects will be encouraged. The Centre's role will also extend beyond research and development to the education of students in nanoscience and nanotechnology. It is hoped that the technologies and know-how generated by the Centre will find industrial application and commercialisation through start-up companies.
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