China’s Nanotechnology Development Model

This thesis is engaged in examining China’s university-led model, also known as the triple helix, as it pertains to the development and advancement of nanotechnology in China. Within this framework significant amounts of state resources are channeled into universities, particularly top universities, in order to increase basic and applied research within the multifaceted field of nanotechnology. This model has been seen in the West as inherently hierarchical approach to scientific advancement. However, the findings of this thesis clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of this model in advancing nano-technological development in Shanghai. The focus of this thesis is to explore the government policies related to nanotechnology development in Shanghai. Shanghai is unique in the sense that it began promoting nanotechnology earlier than other locals and has a large amount of local funds and human capital that can be directed towards this endeavor. In order to assess the effectiveness of the nanotechnology policies this thesis combines both qualitative and quantitative methods in the analysis. Qualitative analysis examines all the relevant policies for Shanghai and includes the more macro-focused policies of the state and Ministry of Science and Technology. Quantitative analysis is predominately focused on nanotechnology patents in Shanghai. The findings of this thesis confirm earlier research that first, the university-led model does prove effective in accelerating scientific advancement and second, nanotechnology research is heavily concentrated in top institutions. At present, China is facing difficulty in taking applied research and turning it commercial products. One means of stimulating this process may be to create an open source platform for nanotechnology patents that enable firms to draw upon multiple patents and freely use the information in pursuit of commercialization.