Nano technology may change the world. Development of the world’s first-ever Nano Line, one-250, 000th the width of a hair.A research team in Korea has created NanoLines, the thinnest lines in the world. On September 7th, Professor Gwang-Su Kim and his associates at the Functional Molecular System Research Team of Pohang University of Science and Technology created a Silver Nano Line Sequence, with a diameter of only 1.4 Nano meters (1 nm is only 1/100,000 of a hair’s width.). According to the team, the distance is 1.7nm between Nano Lines. 0.4 nm is equivalent only to two atoms combined. The created 0.4 nm is about 200 times higher in integration than Nano Lines developed in the US.The research result will be the cover story for the October 12th issue of ‘Science’, a worldwide scientific magazine. Prior to being announced in ‘Science’, it was introduced in ‘Science Express’, which reports innovative research results as soon as possible.The major research scientist is Byeong-Hee Hong, a doctoral student at the Chemistry Department of Pohang University of Science and Technology.Nano Technology (NT) is next generation technology, creating new materials or systems by manipulating atoms or molecules with ultra-fine precision.NT is the core technology for the 21st century, with which we can realize what, until now, has been unthinkable, such as an ultra-mini super computer that can be carried in a pocket, a robot with an artificial brain and a micro capsule that targets only cancer cells.The US, Japan and the EU are investing heavily in Information Technology, Bio Technology and Nano Technology, believing they will dramatically change the face of industry.Korean investment in the Nano field currently stands at only 10% that of advanced countries.The government, however, is active in promoting the development of next generation technology through the ‘Nano Technology General Development Program’ and other programs. Its goal is for Korea to become an advanced nation in the top 5 new generation technologies, by investing 1.48 trillion won in NT development during the next 10 years. The private sector is also participating in the field of Nano Technology.Samsung has designated NT to be one of its five most important strategic technologies, centered on the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology. Samsung is accelerating research on a next-generation semi-conductor, Nano materials and Nano analysis technology. It will inject 7 billion won into research this year, compared to 2 billion won last year.LG Electronics has also geared up its R & D in an effort to develop commercialized Nano products within 3 years. LG will focus on the fields of Nano Optical Elements and Nano Electronics.SK chemicals plans to invest more than 500 million won in the Nano field this year.The Korea Economic Daily (Industry/Technology)