NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY IN MEXICO: ORIGINS, EVOLUTION AND PROGRESS

Mexico has a slow development of nanotechnology; however, great efforts have been made to support nanoscience and nanoeducation. The Institute of Scientific and Technological Research of San Luis Potosi created the first specialized graduate program in nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Latin America in 2001, and the first engineering degree in nanotechnology was offered in 2006. Also, the number of researchers, students, networks, clusters and modern equipment for education and researching is growing every year, besides there are 25 degrees of Bachelor of Nanotechnology as well as 87 graduate programs, the country has a great potential for growing in nanoscience and nanotechnology due to its geographic location. Also there are few patents and products based on nanotechnology, despite this, some Mexican researchers have been recognized and honored with awards such as TWAS, and Mexico has created patents as a sanitizer that eliminates the H1N1 virus or anti-graffiti paint. So if the country wants to have a real impact is necessary to make more industry-university links and to promote nanoeducation at all levels focused towards the patents and applications. Research, development and application of standards and regulations for health and environmental protection must not be forgotten.