A liquid glass that when smeared on your car's windshield can keep it clean for up to 15,000 kms. A ceramic layer that protects apple from dust or bacteria, helps keep food fresh for long. A self cleaning self renewing metal, fabric or glass that neutralizes pollution, bacteria and fungi.

As magical as they seem, they are real and available in the market, right here in Bangalore. The stalls displaying the many products at the venue of the Bangalore Nano was an eye-opener for many visitors about the potential of nanotechology and the rapid strides already taken.

Nanotechnology is the realm where dimensions of the particles are a fraction of a strand of hair. It is also where materials totally undergo a sea change in properties. Gold is no more a shining metal. Iron is no more magnetic. And so on. Using this knowledge, scientists are developing materials with amazing capabilities that can be applied across many areas from medicine to efficient fuels to waste water treatment!

Experts spoke of the problems faced in translating research into commercial products. The industry level research is poor, said Dr Sundararajan, director, ARCI, Hyderabad, adding that a pool of 'technopreneurs' are needed. Dr Faruq Marikar, MD, Nanobiz, US felt that while Indian companies need to innovate to stay ahead, it was also important to check out on the technology developed elsewhere. No one can do everything on their own, he noted.

Well-known scientist Prof C N R Rao naugurated the event.