The National Center for Nanotechnology (NANOTEC) has decided to use the upcoming nanotech 2012 in Tokyo, Japan as a platform to share, exchange knowledge, and seek business partnership in natural disaster mitigation under the theme “Thailand: Nanotechnology for Natural Disaster Mitigation” from February 15-17 in Tokyo Big Sight.

“The recent flooding in Thailand according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department is the worst case in over 50 years” said Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Executive Director of NANOTEC. “The more than three- month flooding has claimed the lives of 602 people and affecting more than 13 million, or one in every five Thais”.

Prof. Sirirurg went on to inform that the flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains and back-to-back tropical storms has lashed 64 out of 77 provinces across the country since late July. It is estimated that over a million of employees will risk losing their jobs causing about 4.5 billion U.S. dollars worth of loss, let alone the economic damage which was expected between 23 to 28 billion U.S. dollars.

“NANOTEC have participated in the relief operations organized by both government and private institutions by donating nano-bednets and nano-mosquito spray to residence of affected areas and relief centers setup by the government. We have also setup temporary soup kitchen at a school which was turned into a relief center sheltering more than 500 residences”.

At nanotech 2012, NANOTEC will showcase 6 research topics related to natural disaster mitigation:  

1. Clean Water

2. Mosquito repellent

3. Leptospirosis test kit

4. nSack as replacement for sand bags

5. nClean products for use in Big-Cleaning Day activities

6. nGuard for air-conditioned filtration 

As part of the Thailand team will be representatives from private companies and research institutions who will meet and discuss business opportunities with Japanese counterparts.