Abstract:
Earth resources including naturally occurring minerals are treasures for economic and industrial
development of many countries. Sri Lanka is also endowed with many industrial and economic
minerals. Some industrial minerals in Sri Lanka include dolomite, calcite, mica, graphite, ilmenite, rutile, monazite, minerals in laterites and apatite. However currently Sri Lankan minerals are exported with low cost by upgrading process or minimal value-addition. Nanotechnology
is one of the best ways for sustainable value addition to naturally occurring minerals. Nanomaterials are relatively expensive and low amount of nanoparticles can do the same job which
is done by a large amount of bulk micro- and millimetre sized particles of the same material
due to their large surface area-to-volume ratio. Therefore nanomaterials are capable of reducing
amount of raw-materials required for products which is a sustainable way of utilizing mineral
resources. Minerals are good source of raw materials used in synthesis of many nanomaterials
and their products. This talk covers our recent advancements on sustainable value-addition to
mineral resources through nanotechnology and their nanomaterials based products in order to
develop economy of countries and establishment of new industries. The talk will open new
areas and new industrial fields to audience of the conference including scientists, engineers,
entrepreneurs and academics.
