1. Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology Communication from the Commission COM (2004) 338 Document can be downloaded from: Please provide your comments to:
Disclaimer: Note that these slides are not legally binding and do not represent any commitment on behalf of the European Commission

2. Outline What is nanotechnology? Why is nanotechnology important?
Worldwide R&D activities in nanotechnology
Towards a European Strategy
Response to the Proposed Strategy
FP7 and Technological Platforms
Future Steps

3. What is nanotechnology?10 -9
What is nanotechnology?

4. What is nanotechnology?
Originating from the Greek word for dwarf, “nano” signifies 10-9 (= ) i.e. one billionth e.g. of a metre, of a gram, etc
At the nano dimension, scientific principles and properties are observed that are not normally seen e.g. quantum effects
Such principles and properties can be used to develop materials and processes with novel functions and performance
Potential recognised in the 1959 speech by Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”

5. What is nanotechnology?
“Nanotechnology” first introduced in 1971 by Norio Taniguchi as a term for ultra precision machining
Breakthrough with the invention of the Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM) by Binnig and Rohrer in 1981
IBM researchers later famously “wrote” using Xenon atoms
Fullerenes (C60) were discovered in 1986 by Curl, Kroto and Smalley

6. Why is nanotechnology important?

7. Nanotechnology Applications
Expected to impact upon virtually all technological sectors as an “enabling” or “key” technology
Sectors include:
Medicine and health
Information technology
Energy production and storage
Materials science
Food, water and the environment
Instruments
Security

8. Why is nanotechnology important for industry?
Analysts estimate that the market for products based on nanotechnology could rise to hundreds of billion by 2010 and exceed one trillion after
Source: Various

9. Nano-Manufacturing Top-down approach Bottom-up approach
MACRO mm
MICRO m
NANO nm
Top-down approach
precision engineering
microelectronics
lithography
deposition
Interdisciplinarity
Bottom-up approach
designer molecules
chemical synthesis
SPM manipulation
self-assembly

10. How to ensure that nanotechnology is safe?
Applications of nanotechnology must ensure a high level of public health, safety, consumer and environmental protection.
Any risks must be addressed upfront and as an integral part of the R&D process.
Specific toxicological studies for e.g. nanoparticles are underway at EU and national level.

11. Worldwide Activities in Nanotechnology R&D

12. Public expenditure ( 1M€ = 1M$ )
Rapid Growth of Interest in Nanotechnology R&D
Public expenditure in nanotechnology is growing by ~40% annually to around 3.5 billion €/$ in 2003.
FP6
(EU)
NNI
(USA)
Public expenditure ( 1M€ = 1M$ )
Source: European Commission (2003)

13. European Activities in Nanotechnology R&D
Several countries started national nanotechnology between the mid-1980’s and mid-1990’s
Overall investment of around 200 million € in 1997 has risen to around 1000 million € in 2003
Levels of public investment vary considerably between 0.05 and 5.6 € per citizen in 2003
Transnational projects in the EU’s 4th (~30M€/year) and 5th (~45M€/year) Framework Programmes
Nanotechnology identified as a main priority area in the 6th Framework Programme (~250M€/year)

14. Public expenditure ( M € )
European Activities in Nanotechnology R&D
Absolute public investment in Europe during 2003
Public expenditure ( M € )
Source: European Commission (2003)

15. Worldwide Activities in Nanotechnology R&D
USA’s National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) launched in 2000 and public investment increased from $220 to $750 million in 2003.
21st Century Nanotechnology Budget signed in 2003 and budget for 2005 set for $1000 million
Japan identified nanotechnology as a priority with $800 million in 2003 and set to rise by 20% in 2004
South Korea and China have nanotechnology programme with $ million each year
Many other countries active in nanotechnology

16. Public expenditure ( 1M€ = 1M$ )
Worldwide Activities in Nanotechnology R&D
Absolute public expenditure during 2003 (1€ = 1$)
Public expenditure ( 1M€ = 1M$ )
Source: European Commission (2003)

17. Public expenditure ( M$ )
Worldwide Activities in Nanotechnology R&D
Public expenditure ( M$ )
Note that the purchasing power can vary widely
Source: European Commission (2003)

18. Source: European Commission (2003)
Worldwide Activities in Nanotechnology R&D
Per capita public expenditure during 2003 (1€ = 1$)
Top 15 Performers Only
Public expenditure
( € or $ / per capita )
Source: European Commission (2003)

19. Source: European Commission (2003)
Worldwide Publications in Nanotechnology
Europe has a strong knowledge-base
Asia and Russia showing growth
Source: European Commission (2003)

20. Worldwide Patents in Nanotechnology
Europe’s strength in knowledge does not appear to be seen in terms of patents
Similar trend seen when seen in terms of start-up and spin-off companies…
(EPO and WIPO data only)
Source: European Commission (2003)

21. Source: CEA, Bureau d’Etude Marketing
Start-up Companies in Nanotechnology ( )
Source: CEA, Bureau d’Etude Marketing

22. Where do we stand in Europe?
Enjoys a strong position in terms of producing knowledge in nanotechnology (e.g. publications)
Weaker in transforming this knowledge into products and services (e.g. patents, start-ups)
Europe already has a commercial deficit for high-tech products of around €23 billion per year
Few “centres of excellence” on the scale of those being developed in other regions e.g. the USA
Lower level of private R&D funding from industry in comparison to e.g. the USA and Japan

23. Is there a European Strategy for Nanotechnology?

24. Evolution of the Commission Communication
Ad-hoc expert group meetings convened in 2003 to establish to status of nanotechnology in Europe
EuroNanoForum meeting held in 2003 with over 1000 participants where an integrated approach was endorsed
Communication drafted by the Directorate General (DG) for Research and agreed with 16 other DGs
Adopted on the 12th May with reference COM (2004) 338

25. An integrated and responsible approach
Nanotechnology requires action on several fronts
Research and Development
Societal Issues
Infrastructure
Human Resources
Industrial Innovation
International Cooperation
Health, safety, environmental and consumer protection

26. R&D: Building the Momentum
European public investment in nanotechnology R&D should increase by a factor of 3 by 2010
Focus upon transforming our knowledge into wealth generating products and processes
Reinforce the next FP for added-value via critical mass, transnational collaboration and competition
Effective coordination of national programmes with both OMC and ERA-NET mechanisms
Bring public and private stakeholders together to strengthen roadmap and foresighting activities

27. Infrastructure: European “Poles of Excellence”
Europe needs a coherent system of infrastructure for R&D in nanotechnology
Measures needed to maximise the added-value of existing infrastructure, in particular, to help SMEs
Existing infrastructure should be examined and mapped to identify most urgent needs
Where needed, dedicated Europe nanotechnology infrastructure with critical mass should be built
All financing mechanisms should be explored e.g. European Investment Bank, Structural Funds, etc

28. Investing in Human Resources
Identify the educational needs of nanotechnology and provide examples of best practice
Encourage the definition and implementation of new courses and curricula for nanotechnology
Promote the integration of complementary skills into research training e.g. entrepreneurship
Explore the possibility of dedicated Marie Curie calls for proposals in nanotechnology
Create a “European award in nanotechnology” to encourage young researchers

29. Industrial Innovation: Knowledge to Technology
Promote conditions that encourage investment in nanotechnology R&D by industry
Investigate the prospects and conditions for the optimal industrial exploitation of nanotechnologies
Invites the European Investment Bank and other institutions to strengthen the capital base for R&D
Encourages closer cooperation between patent offices towards a more efficient patenting system
Invites Member States to review existing regulation and consider specificities of nanotechnology
Boost and coordinate actions in metrology, standards and norms

30. Integrating the Societal Dimension
Due attention should be paid to the integrating societal aspects into nanotechnology R&D
Europe should pursue an open and proactive approach to governance in nanotechnology R&D
A dialogue with EU citizens and consumers should be encouraged to promote informed judgement
The Commission reaffirms its commitment to ethical principles
The responsible and transparent development of nanotechnology is essential for public confidence

31. Public Health, Safety, Environmental and Consumer Protection
A high level of public health, safety, environmental and consumer protection requires:
Identification of safety concerns (both real and perceived) and action at the earliest stage
Toxicological and ecotoxicological data and evaluation of human/environmental exposure
Adjustment, if necessary, of risk assessment procedures for issues of nanotechnology
Integration of risk assessment at all stages of the life cycle of the technology

32. A Further Step: International Cooperation
Encourage international debate on issues such as public health, safety, environment, consumer protection, risk assessment, metrology, norms
Provide access to knowledge to economically less developed countries to contribute towards the prevention of any “knowledge apartheid”
Promote the monitoring and sharing of information related to the scientific, technological, economical and social development of nanotechnology
Define an international “code of good conduct” for the responsible development of nanotechnology

33. Political Response to the Proposed Strategy
Estimate that around 10,000 copies have been accessed from our webpages
Discussed in the European Council and conclusions adopted on 24 September
Proposed integrated and responsible strategy has been welcomed
Discussed on two occasions by the Economic and Social Committee (opinion expected later this year)

34. Public Response to the Proposed Strategy
Open consultation launched at the end of July and runs until 15th October
Contributions via website ( and on-line questionnaire
Over 750 responses from 41 countries with support for more EU-level action
An opportunity for stakeholders to express their views and help shape future initiatives!

35. Discussion of the Seventh Framework Programme has started: Proposed Axes
Collaborative research
Basic research, competitive funding
Technology initiatives
Human resources
Research infrastructures
Coordination of national programmes
6 axes
new

36. Technology Platforms
Bringing the main public and private stakeholders to address major technological challenges
Key concepts are:
Development of a shared long-term vision (e.g. “Vision 2020”);
Creation of a coherent, dynamic strategy to achieve this vision;
Leading role of industry but should include stakeholders (research, financial, users and civil society)

37. European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council
Bringing the main public and private stakeholders to address major technological challenges
Vision 2020 document issued by ENIAC high-level group on 29 June 2004
Key recommendation of the high level group is the creation of a Technology Platform
Strategic research agenda is being developed
Possible initiative planned for nanomedicine….
Credit © European Community, 2004

38. NanoMedicine Possible Technological Platform for Nanomedicine
Nanomedicine is undergoing rapid technological development and is in high social demand
Huge industrial and market potential but financing crucial for convincing ideas
Lack of coordination of ongoing R&D initiatives at private and public level
Need for a Technological Platform with common vision and R&D agenda
Proposed R&D topics are regenerative medicine, nanodiagnostics and targeted drug delivery / release
Credit © European Community, 2004
NanoMedicine

39. Future Steps
Analyse and publish results from the open consultation (November 2004)
Publication of the final call for proposals in NMP programme under FP6 (End 2004)
Issue action plan on nanotechnologies taking into account all discussions (Expected early 2005)
Proposal for FP7 and extended impact assessment (Expected early 2005)
Decision and launch of FP7

40. Thank you for your attention
Thank you for your attention! Full text of the Communication and information on nanotechnology in Europe can be downloaded from: Please provide your comments: Other nanotechnology information also from: