Relevance and public support of Nanotechnology research in Mexico

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of public policies regarding nanotechnology in Mexico according to indicators of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD conducted a pilot survey of 24 member countries in 2008 to compare public policies in nanotechnology. In this study, we use the same OECD questionnaire to assess the Mexican experience. In addition, we present information on companies engaged in nanotechnology using data from a survey of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The latter survey also was developed by the OECD for its member countries. The results show the importance and distribution of research activity in nanotechnology inside Mexico and in relation to its neighbors. The discussion also deals with the contradictory situation of the Mexican nanotechnology sector, which comprises a relatively high number of companies involved with nanotechnology in the context of a weak framework of public policy support.