The National Program on Nanotechnology in Taiwan has won 1,500 patents, making the region the fourth largest patent holder in nanotechnology in the world, according to Wu Chung-yu, head of the program.
At the opening of the Taiwan Nano Week and Exhibition last month, Wu said that nanotechnology is expected to be a main driver for the technology industry.
Wu said that about NT$14 billion (US$500 million) had been invested in the program which was initiated in 2003, and 630 out of 860 nanotechnology transfer projects had been completed. He said the industry’s production value could reach NT$1 trillion.
According to statistics published in late 2012, the United States had the most nanotechnology patents, followed by Japan and South Korea. Germany followed Taiwan, in fifth place. China ranked 7th, Australia 13th, Singapore 14th, India 18th and Saudi Arabia 23rd.