Innovation Center for Applied Nanotechnology

Dr. Arup Chatterjee is one of the leading global authorities on nanotechnology & nano-materials. His decade long research on nanotechnology not only led to development of robust process technology on industrial scale manufacturing of highly pure, quality nano-materials but also nano-dispersion technology and ordered nano-structures. At present, he is working on third generation nanotechnology.

After graduating with Physics, he has done post graduation on energy science & technology and completed his Ph.D. on fuel cell from India’s premiere institution Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay and indigenously developed carbon nano-material based fuel cell electrode & membrane electrode assembly. He has one US patent on Fuel Cell Electrode and one Indian patent on super capacitor electrode in his credit.

Many patentable nano-paints/coatings are also developed. These include various high performance & multi-functional paints/ coatings in decorative as well as industrial segment. In decorative segment, he has developed nano water base paints that are low VOC, anti-fungal/bacteria/algae, hydro-phobic, UV resistant, heat insulating with elastomeric (stretchable that cover cracks) properties for building interiors & exteriors and these are not only environment friendly but also robust in terms of performance & life. Similarly,wood paints & coatings that are not only water/UV/ fungus resistant but also termite-free & fire resistant. Building segment products include transparent coatings for plaster, glass, ceramic, stone that are water repellent, anti-bacteria/fungal and non-polymeric.

In Industrial segment, product portfolio includes heat conducting paints, high electrically insulating paints that withstands 5000V, high anti-corrosive paints, pollutant adsorbent paint, high impact & scratch resistant paints, high temperature resistant paints, thermally insulating paints, clear coat paints etc.

He has developed robust process technology for industrial scale manufacturing of nano-materials that are tunable in size & structure, scalable, and highly pure in terms of quality. This process takes care of manufacturing of not only major elements of periodic table in nano-form but also bi/tri-metallic alloys and their compounds. This includes nano Fe, Ag, Au, Al, Pt, Pd, Co, Ni, Cr, Zn, Ceria, Iron Oxide, Zinc Oxide, many compounds and mixtures etc.  Also, many novel structures of carbon viz. porous nano-carbon, carbon nano-fiber, nano-tubes, diamond like carbon, graphite structures, ‘Y’ junction carbon, flower structure etc.

Giving due respect to the commendable work he has accomplished, UK Trade & Investment has selected him under Global Entrepreneurship Programme 2006 and a marketing venture ICAN NANO Limited has been incorporated with help of DTI in UK. ICAN Paint Europe (Nano) Limited is a spin out marketing venture having exclusive marketing rights for paints/coatings in UK markets.

He has set-up his own manufacturing unit of 40 TPM capacity nano-paint/coating processing in Kolkata, India and currently working with more than 50 leading industries in India and abroad. His R&D interest includes paint/coatings, composites, drug delivery, filters, electrodes etc. various areas that will be impacted by nanotechnology. He has strong interest in contract R&D and specially that of social dimension.

He is Visiting Scientist at IIT-Bombay and Indian Association for Cultivation of Science, Kolkata. He is spearheading industrial nanotechnology scenario in India and loves to undertake challenging assignments. He is actively involved in Indo-UK Joint Economic & Trade Co-operation through formation of high level Nanotechnology Working Group (NWG) with objective of accelerating collaboration & partnerships between industry/academia of two countries.

His dream start-up venture Innovation Center for Applied Nanotechnology (I-CanNano) is envisaged to emerge as group of companies having interest in various domains and planning to have presence in all major countries in the world. He is director of ICAN NANO Limited & ICAN Paint Europe (Nano) Limited, UK.

 

Sougata Bhattacharya Head - Business Development & Strategy sougata@ican-nano.com

Sougata Bhattacharya is specialized in start-up ventures and laboratory to markets commercialization of hi-tech products and complex deal structuring.

He has graduated in electrical engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata and also CA-finalist from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Subsequently, he attended entrepreneurship programme at Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, UK with sponsorship from EEI (UKTI).

He gained rich experience on polymer composites and applications and was last employed with Mahindra & Mahindra Group and Shadow Board Member – Mahindra Systems & Automotive Technologies Sector. He has keen interest in nano-composites and its applications and currently working on strategy & commercialization of carbon nano fiber based composites.

He has extensive experience in techno-financial/legal affairs, especially financial modelling, deal structuring, negotiations etc. He has worked on project management & implementation of manufacturing unit, project finance, acquisitions, ERP/Accounting/Budgeting/MIS systems,  HR Systems/Balance Score Card, Corporate & legal affairs and operation of manufacturing business.

At present in nanotechnology domain, he is advisor and heading business development & strategy at Innovation Center for Applied Nanotechnology (I-CanNano), India and director of ICAN NANO Limited, UK and ICAN Paint Europe (Nano) Limited, UK. His firm Nanomarkets, specializes in nanotech venture start-ups & commercialization. He is also conceptualizing many start-ups in the field of nanotechnology. He is member of high level Indo-UK JETCO Nanotechnology Working Group.

At I-CanNano, he is involved in strategy and laboratory to market commercialization of nanotechnology & nanotech enabled products, collaborations/partnerships, business developments, technical presentations & promotions, techno-commercial matters, negotiations, IPRs, systems etc. He is also contributing on nanotechnology implication on policy & markets in stakeholder’s perspective.

His key interest area includes collaborations & partnerships development on application of nanotechnology in energy sector including energy efficiency, clean & renewable energy technology, green buildings and carbon credit. Currently he is focusing on carbon nano-composites and applications in the field of wind energy, aerospace, automotive & clean energy.