Nanotechnology and its applications for sustainable cities and coasts

A training course in “application of nanotechnology as a solution in the circular economy through managing plastic wastes and the production of nanotubes” was hosted by WIOMSA in South Africa.  The training team included representatives from Nanotech Futuristic Solutions, Kenya; Sabinano, South Africa; Mintek, South Africa; and the University of the Witwatersrand. A total of 16 representatives from the western Indian Ocean region attended the training.  Nanotubes can be used for important purposes, including the creation of resilient and stronger building materials and energy-efficient materials. And they can be used to make smart sensors for environmental pollution management, wastewater treatment, and sustainable building materials, among other things. Nanotechnology has the potential to contribute to improved service delivery and monitoring, increased sustainability, and the creation of safe cities, but it faces challenges such as a lack of policy on the enhancement of material sciences within the region, a lack of applicable skills and technology assimilation, and a need for a concerted effort in adopting sustainable materials.