Nanotechnology in the European Research Area

Transcription

1 European Commission Community Research Nanotechnology in the European Research Area The New Science of the "Small" presents Great Opportunities The prefix "nano" expresses extreme smallness. Nanotechnology refers to nanometerscale science and technology. One nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a metre, i.e. around times smaller than the width of a human hair. Nanotechnology involves the control of materials at the nanoscale. It deals with extreme miniaturisation, and with creation of materials with a nanoscale fine structure. It also deals with the manipulation of tiny objects at the dimension of molecules and atoms, and with selfassembly of such objects. The potential benefits of nanotechnology are both pervasive and revolutionary. Nanotechnology is truly multidisciplinary. Materials scientists, mechanical and electronic engineers, and medical researchers team up with biologists, physicists and chemists. Research at the nano-scale frontier is unified by the need to share knowledge, tools and techniques, and expertise on atomic and molecular interactions. Powerful new concepts and capabilities, such as atomic-scale imaging and manipulation, self-assembly, knowledge of biological structure-function relationships, together with increasingly powerful computing tools, are rapidly converging from different research fields. These will enable nanotechnology to progress and researchers to expand their expertise into new application fields. The New Science of the "Small" presents New Challenges Nanotechnology is a growing field, where the resources needed are significant in terms of human creativity, scientific infrastructures and available funds, but where private investment is still limited. Europe is already competitive, but other actors are investing increasing resources. Therefore, it is important that substantial funds, both at public and private level, are devoted to this field that offers so much potential. Currently, the Commission has already a funding portfolio for research in nanotechnology, which is expected to find a new momentum within the European Area of Research and Innovation (ERA) initiative. Nanotechnology has an enormous variety of applications. To take the benefits from the opportunities afforded by nanotechnology, challenges must be met. There are challenges at a scientific and technical level: to increase our basic understanding of the nano-world; to create new materials, devices and processes; to establish new tools and techniques for industrial manufacture. There are also many challenges at a structural level: to maximise the efficiency of publicly funded pre-competitive research; to educate the next generation of students, researchers and technicians; to enhance societal awareness and perception; to use standardisation for increased efficiency; and so on. These challenges call for the formation of Europe-wide industry/research alliances of significant scale. A Europeanwide approach is required. The New Science of the "Small" in the European Research Area The ERA initiative aims to solve the "European paradox", i.e. the contradiction between good scientific performance and less satisfactory exploitation of research results to gain technological and economic benefits. The ERA seeks to develop strengths and address weaknesses of European research, notably the lack of coherent approaches at several levels, increasing research effectiveness and cohesion between States and Union s actions through co-ordination and synergy. It addresses key factors such as scope and scale of projects, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, the critical questions of scientific education, careers and mobility, and the relationship between scientific endeavour and society. The 6th Framework Programme will contribute towards the creation of the ERA. It will have both a strategic and structuring character. Research projects with a strategic, high added value for Europe will be supported. A set of initiatives will be launched for structuring European research and reinforcing its foundations. Efforts will be put to renewing the enthusiasm in Europe for science and technology, and to achieving enhanced critical mass through an enlarged international co-operation. Researchers will be called to play a more prominent role in solving today s challenges in society for improving the quality of life of European citizens and boosting Europe s competitiveness within a sustainable growth.

2 Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in the Research Programmes of the European Community The European Commission aims at creating a favourable climate for nanotechnology research and development. This is pursued through supporting a wide range of actions, first of all long term research projects of significant size that normally comprise both academic and industrial partners, and focus on multi-disciplinary aspects. Through the multi-annual Framework Programmes for research and Technological Development, the European Community provides funding for research carried out at European level. The European Commission (on behalf of the European Community) supports a significant portfolio of nanoscience and technology projects. In the 4th Framework Programme ( ), some 80 projects involving nanotechnology were funded. In the 5th Framework Programme, ( ) the estimated funding level is about 45 million /year. Nanotechnology falls under virtually all the four Thematic Programmes and the three Horizontal Programmes, the majority of the funding being in the form of grants to research projects. The overall project portfolio is very wide in scope, encompassing for example nanoelectronic devices, giant magnetoresistance, carbon nano-tubes, biosensors, molecular diagnostics, nano-composite materials, atomic force microscopes, etc. Recognising that nanoscience and nanotechnology present great scientific challenges and show a high potential for innovation and novel applications in many areas, the European Commission proposal for the 6th Framework Programme ( ) contains a strong focus on nanotechnology. Out of a total proposed funding of 17.5 billion, 1.3 billion would be devoted to a priority thematic area of research on nanotechnology and nanoscience, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices. Within an integrated approach, long term projects (research and networks) will be funded with the ultimate aim of stimulating the introduction of nanotechnologies in existing industrial sectors and/or of originating novel breakthroughs, which can lead to entirely new materials, new devices, new products and new industries. The 6th Framework Programme The European Commission s proposal for the 6th Framework Programme is at the stage of the inter-institutional debate between the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission. Final approval is expected in the summer of First calls for proposals are expected towards the end of The structure of the 6th Framework Programme is different from that of the 5th. The main funding channels for research projects and networks are a series of eight thematic priority areas, collectively constituting "Focusing and Integrating Community Research". These thematic priority areas essentially replace the four thematic programmes of the 5th Framework Programme. Of further particular interest is "Structuring the European Research Area", which will be concerned specifically with human resources and mobility, research infrastructures and "Science and Society", as well as "Strengthening the Foundations of the European Research Area". Focusing and Integrating Community Research Given the wide-ranging nature of nanoscience and nanotechnology, it may be expected that most of the thematic priorities areas will provide funding for it, including dedicated support for medium- and small-sized enterprises. However, and without excluding the other Thematic Priorities, of particular relevance for the nanotechnology community will presumably be: Thematic Priority Area 1 "Genomics and Biotechnology for Health" Thematic Priority Area 2 "Information Society Technologies" Thematic Priority Area 3 "Nanotechnology and Nanoscience, Knowledge-based Multifunctional Materials and New Production Processes and Devices" The Thematic Priority Area 2 Within the Thematic Priority Area 2 "Information Society Technologies", nanotechnology relevant activities will be contributing mainly to two areas, namely "Micro, Nano and Opto-electronics", and "Micro and Nano Technologies, Microsystems and Displays". In the first case the objective is to reduce cost, increase the performance and improve reconfigurability, scalability and selfadjusting capabilities of electronic components and systems-on-a-chip. In the latter case, the aim is to bring improved intelligence and functionality in everything - networked in a distributed fashion or localised for improved miniaturisation and portability - by introducing or upgrading sensing, actuating operations and improving the interaction of every potential item with their surrounding and with the individuals, building upon research in micro-, nano, micro-nano-systems and large integration technologies for increased quality of life, and to exploit market opportunities.

3 The Thematic Priority Area 3 The Thematic Priority Area 3 "Nanotechnology and Nanoscience, Knowledge-based Multifunctional Materials and New Production Processes and Devices" will include a wide-ranging programme on nanoscience, nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology research and development activities. Funding for nanotechnology under this programme may be estimated to mobilise funds in the range of one billion over the next four-year period. Two global objectives are defined: first, to stimulate the introduction of innovative nanotechnologies in existing industrial sectors; second, to stimulate breakthroughs, which can lead to entirely new materials, new devices, new products and new industries. The overall approach will be an integrative one, where longterm and medium-term aspects of given scientific/technological developments may be pursued as elements of a single project. The programme will cover essentially all nano-material types and related device and process developments. It will include long term research, research into techniques and instruments, nanostructured structural and functional materials, and related application development. Structuring the European Research Area Different activities of "Structuring the ERA" are relevant to nanotechnology and nanoscience. Within "Human Resources and Mobility" and under the common Marie Curie label (MC), host-driven actions such as MC Research Training Networks, MC Host Fellowships, will provide support to organisations hosting European and third-country researchers for transnational training and mobility of researchers. All fields are covered including nanotechnology and nanoscience. In addition, individual-driven actions such as MC Intra-European Fellowships will also be supported. Within the "Research Infrastructures" activity, different schemes of support will be implemented such as, for example, Transnational Access. Where relevant, this activity, which by its nature and means of implementation is applicable to all fields of research and technology, will be implemented in association with the thematic priorities. Moreover, dedicated initiatives related to the societal and ethical implications of nanotechnology will be launched within the "Science and Society" activities. Strengthening the Foundations of the European Research Area There will be efforts to encourage coordination activities, using a bottom-up approach, in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The objective of the co-ordination at European level is to enhance the complementarity and synergy between Community actions undertaken under the Framework Programme and those of other European research co-operation organisations, for example within the framework of the European Co-operation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST). COST is a long-standing bottom-up mechanism that facilitates co-ordination and exchange between nationally funded scientists and research teams in a variety of areas related to nanoscience and nanotechnology, like physics, chemistry, materials, biotechnology, medicine and health. Reinforced co-ordination among the activities of the European Science Foundation, COST and the Framework Programme will be sought in areas of common interest. Mapping of Excellence The Mapping of Excellence of research actors is an initiative developed in the context of strengthening excellence in the ERA, launched in March 2001 and conducted in cooperation with the Member States. The first mapping of excellence exercise is a "pilot exercise" limited to three areas: economics, life sciences, and nanotechnologies. Within nanotechnologies, sub-areas chosen for the mapping* are: Micro-nanotechnology for interacting, sensing, actuating and microsystems Nanobiotechnology Nanotechnology for information processing, storage and transmission Nanotechnology for materials and surface science The pilot exercise will produce a limited number of maps, but will allow developing a refined and generalised methodology to be used in the wider exercise from 2003 onwards*. At the same time, the pilot exercise should lead to usable and interesting results. * The sub-areas of nano-manufacturing and nanometrology, although very important, have not been considered in this pilot exercise for 2002 but might be included in the wider exercise from 2003 onwards.

4 Opening to the World The EU-USA Co-operation Nanotechnology research is covered by the EU-USA Agreement on Scientific and Technological Co-operation and, in particular, by the Implementing Arrangement between the European Commission and the National Science Foundation (USA) for co-operative activities in the field of materials science signed in December Since then, the EC programme "Competitive and Sustainable Growth" organised three co-ordinated calls for proposals with NSF. They included mainly research but also education activities. In 2002, no new co-ordinated calls for proposals will be launched. Three joint workshops on Nanotechnology and a dedicated Workshop on Nanobiotechnology have been organised to date. On October 2000 a joint EC-NSF Workshop was held in Toulouse (F) with the participation of Commissioner Busquin and the Nobel Prize winner Prof. Stormer. On 5-7 January 2002, a second joint EC-NSF workshop "Nanomanufacturing and Processing" was held in Puerto Rico (U.S.A.) and later, on 31 January - 1 February, a third joint event took place in Lecce (Italy) "Nanotechnology: Revolutionary Opportunities and Societal Implications". In 2002, two additional joint EC-NSF workshops are scheduled. They will focus on technical aspects connected to this research at the frontier of knowledge. The EU-China Co-operation On 22 October 2001, the EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin, and the Chinese Minister for Science and Technology Xu Guanhua signed an Implementing Arrangement in the field of material sciences. Research areas covered by this agreement include basic generic material technologies, advanced functional materials, and improvement of the limits and durability of materials, sustainable production in the chemical industry and nanotechnologies. A joint EU-China workshop is in preparation. The EU-Russia Co-operation The EU-Russia Co-operation Agreement on Science and Technology was signed and entered into force on 10 May Its purpose is to strengthen the bilateral co-operation in this field by establishing a framework for specific joint research activities and exchanges of scientists. The Agreement covers a wide range of research activities, technological development and demonstration, including materials research. It is initially valid until 31 December 2002, but it can be renewed by common agreement KI EN-D Contact Person WWW Help Desk Renzo Tomellini renzo.tomellini@cec.eu.int renzo.tomellini@cec.eu.int G E N E R A L I S S U E S Alfredo Aguilar Romanillos Elisabetta Balzi alfredo.aguilar-romanillos@cec.eu.int elisabetta.balzi@cec.eu.int quality-of-life@cec.eu.int Q U A L I T Y O F L I F E A N D M A N A G E M E N T O F L I V I N G R E S O U R C E S Dirk Beernaert for IV.7.2 & V.1.10 dirk.beernaert@cec.eu.int ist@cec.eu.int Bernard Netange for IV.8.2 & 8.3 bernard.netange@cec.eu.int ist@cec.eu.int Ramon Compañó for VI.1.1 & 2.1 ramon.compano@cec.eu.int istfet@cec.eu.int U S E R - F R I E N D L Y I N F O R M A T I O N S O C I E T Y Hervé Pero herve.pero@cec.eu.int for KA1 Bernardus Tubbing bernardus.tubbing@cec.eu.int growth@cec.eu.int for GA 1A Paolo Salieri paolo.salieri@cec.eu.int for GA 2 C O M P E T I T I V E A N D S U S T A I N A B L E G R O W T H Agnès Robin agnes.robin@cec.eu.int improving@cec.eu.int IMPROVING HUMAN RESEARCH POTENTIAL AND THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC KNOWLEDGE BASE Markku Warras markku.warras@cec.eu.int markku.warras@cec.eu.int Eberhard Seitz eberhard.seitz@cec.eu.int eberhard.seitz@cec.eu.int E U R O P E A N C O O P E R A T I O N I N T H E F I E L D O F S C I E N T I F I C A N D T E C H N I C A L R E S E A R C H Christiane Bernard christiane.bernard@cec.eu.int christiane.bernard@cec.eu.int nanotechnology/src/structuring.htm M A P P I N G O F E X C E L L E N C E Maurizio Salvi maurizio.salvi@cec.eu.int maurizio.salvi@cec.eu.int science-society/home.html S C I E N C E A N D S O C I E T Y Luis Samaniego Moffre luis.samaniego-moffre@cec.eu.int luis.samaniego-moffre@cec.eu.int nanotechnology/src/funding.htm M A P P I N G O F N A T I O N A L R T D A C T I V I T I E S

5 New.eu Domain Changed Web and Addresses The introduction of the.eu domain also required the web and addresses of the European institutions to be adapted. Below please find a list of addresses found in the document at hand which have been changed after the document was created. The list shows the old and new address, a reference to the page where the address was found and the type of address: http: and https: for web addresses, mailto: for addresses etc. Type: http: Old: New: Old: mailto:alfredo.aguilar-romanillos@cec.eu.int New: mailto:alfredo.aguilar-romanillos@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:lisabetta.balzi@cec.eu.int New: mailto:lisabetta.balzi@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:quality-of-life@cec.eu.int New: mailto:quality-of-life@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:dirk.beernaert@cec.eu.int New: mailto:dirk.beernaert@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:ernard.netange@cec.eu.int New: mailto:ernard.netange@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:amon.compano@cec.eu.int New: mailto:amon.compano@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:erve.pero@cec.eu.int New: mailto:erve.pero@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:ernardus.tubbing@cec.eu.int New: mailto:ernardus.tubbing@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:aolo.salieri@cec.eu.int New: mailto:aolo.salieri@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:ist@cec.eu.int New: mailto:ist@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:st@cec.eu.int New: mailto:st@ec.europa.eu Old: mailto:stfet@cec.eu.int New: mailto:stfet@ec.europa.eu Addendum: 1

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