EC report: "Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies"

[nanoorg]

11 September 2007 European Commission

European Commission releases first implementation report on "Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies: An action plan for Europe 2005-2009"

The report, released on 6th September 2007, summarises the actions taken by the EC and progress made during 2005-2007. The Action Plan for nanoscience and nanotechnologies (N&N) focuses on eight key areas:

research, development and innovation
infrastructure and European poles of excellence
interdisciplinary human resources
industrial innovation
integrating the societal dimension
public health, safety, environmental and consumer protection
international cooperation
implementing a coherent and visible strategy at European level

The Commission notes that there are weaknesses in the development of nanoscience and nanotechnologies (N&N) in the EU. These include:

a shortage of private investment (currently only 55% of N&N funding is private, although the activities of the European Technology Platforms, ETPs, are going some way to redress this);
a lack of leading interdisciplinary infrastructures;
increased risk of duplication and fragmentation of research due to the rising investment in N&N R&D by the Member States.

However, it does point to the successful integration of EU research in a number of areas which have led to a more than doubling of patents in N&N in the first two years of FP6 and an increased SME participation in N&N projects in the NMP programme of FP6 from 18% in 2003-2004 to 37% by 2006.

The report goes on to describe the fact that FP6 accounted for approximately one-third of total European public funding in N&N, and that this is not just dedicated to new products and processes, but addresses knowledge gaps and so supports fundamental research; research into environment, health and safety aspects; and research into standards and metrology. It also describes how public communication and dialogue activities have been supported. Together these activities contribute to the Commission’s safe and responsible approach to the development of N&N.

For the future it describes how the Commission plans to support commercialisation of new technologies including the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), the Risk Sharing Finance Facility, and access to nanotechnology-based pilot lines. It also states that the EC plans to adopt a voluntary code of conduct for responsible N&N research.

Further information can be obtained from the Commission website and the report downloaded here:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2007/com2007_0505en01.pdf