Towards a European Strategy

for Nanotechnology
Communication from the Commission
COM (2004) 338
Document can be downloaded from:
http://www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology
Please provide your comments to:
rtd-nano-strategy@cec.eu.int

Disclaimer: Note that these slides are not legally binding and do not
represent any commitment on behalf of the European Commission
NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Outline

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
What is nanotechnology?

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 What is nanotechnology?
l Originating from the Greek word for dwarf, “nano”
signifies 10-9 (=0.000000001) i.e. one billionth e.g. of
a metre, of a gram, etc
l At the nano dimension, scientific principles and
properties are observed that are not normally seen
e.g. quantum effects
l Such principles and properties can be used to
develop materials and processes with novel
functions and performance
l Potential recognised in the 1959 speech by Nobel
Laureate Richard Feynman “There’s Plenty of
Room at the Bottom”
NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 What is nanotechnology?
l “Nanotechnology” first introduced in 1971 by Norio
Taniguchi as a term for ultra precision machining
l Breakthrough with the invention of the Scanning
Tunnelling Microscope (STM) by Binnig and Rohrer in
1981
l IBM researchers later famously “wrote” using Xenon
atoms
l Fullerenes (C60) were discovered in 1986 by Curl,
Kroto and Smalley

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Why is nanotechnology
important?

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Nanotechnology
Applications
l Expected to impact upon virtually all technological
sectors as an “enabling” or “key” technology
l Sectors include:
l Medicine and health

l Information technology

l Energy production and storage

l Materials science

l Food, water and the environment

l Instruments

l Security

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Why is nanotechnology
important for industry?
l Analysts estimate that the market for products
based on nanotechnology could rise to hundreds
of billion by 2010 and exceed one trillion after
10000
Market Volume (€ billion)

1000

100

10

1
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
Year
Source: Various
NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Nano-Manufacturing

MACRO
mm Top-down approach
• precision engineering
• microelectronics
§ lithography
MICRO
§ deposition
µm
Interdisciplinarity
Bottom-up approach
• designer molecules
NANO
• chemical synthesis
nm
• SPM manipulation
• self-assembly

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Worldwide Activities in
Nanotechnology R&D

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Rapid Growth of Interest
in Nanotechnology R&D
l Public expenditure in nanotechnology is growing
by ~40% annually to around 3.5 billion €/$ in 2003.
Public expenditure ( 1M€ = 1M$ )

4000

3500 Europe FP6

Japan (EU)
3000
USA
2500 Others

2000
NNI
(USA)
1500

1000

500

0
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Source: European Commission (2003)

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 European Activities in
Nanotechnology R&D
l Absolute public investment in Europe during 2003
Public expenditure ( M € )

300
350
250
250

200 180

150
130

100
60
50 43
50
22 15 15 14
5 5 3 1,5 1,2 0,5
0
y

l
d
m

k
nd

n
ly
ce
EC

m
en

e
s
s

ga
an

nd

ar
an

tri

ai
rie
rie

ec
Ita
do

iu
an

la

ed

rtu
Sp
us

m
m

la

nl
lg

nt

re
nt

Ire
ng
Fr

en
Sw
er
er

Fi

A
Be

Po
ou
ou

G
Ki

th
G

D
C
C
e
d

ng
d
te

te
ni

di
ia
Th
U

ce
oc

Ac
s
As

Source: European Commission (2003)

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Worldwide Activities in
Nanotechnology R&D
l USA’s National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)
launched in 2000 and public investment increased
from $220 to $750 million in 2003.
l 21st Century Nanotechnology Budget signed in
2003 and budget for 2005 set for $1000 million
l Japan identified nanotechnology as a priority with
$800 million in 2003 and set to rise by 20% in 2004
l South Korea and China have nanotechnology
programme with $100-200 million each year
l Many other countries active in nanotechnology

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Worldwide Activities in
Nanotechnology R&D
l Absolute public expenditure during 2003 (1€ = 1$)
1200
Public expenditure ( 1M€ = 1M$ )

1000 EC
350

800
USA Federal
770
600

Member and
400 Associated States 810
800
511
200 USA States
300
0
Europe Japan USA Others

Source: European Commission (2003)

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Worldwide Activities in
Nanotechnology R&D
150
200
Public expenditure ( M$ )

125
100 100
100

75
50
50
30
25
9 8 5 5 4
0

nd
na

an

a
lia

e
a

a
a

an

di
or
ad

si
re

ra

la
hi

iw

In
ay
ap
Ko

al
an

ai
C

st
Ta

al
Ze
ng

Th
Au

C
th

M
Si

ew
u
So

N
l Note that the purchasing power can vary widely
Source: European Commission (2003)
NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Worldwide Activities in
Nanotechnology R&D
l Per capita public expenditure during 2003 (1€ = 1$)

5,0
6.2 5.6
Top 15 Performers Only
( € or $ / per capita )
Public expenditure

4,0 3,6 3,4

3,1 3,1 3,0 3,0 2,9 2,9
3,0 2,7
2,4
2,2
2,0 1,7 1,6

1,0

0,0

m
nd
SA

d
s

y
nd

en
n

ay
5

5
el

ce

s
nd

an

an
pa

-1

-2
rie

do
ra
la

w
la

ed
an
U

EU

EU
rla

nl
Ja

Is

or
er

nt

ng
Ire

Sw
Fr

Fi
er

ou
he

N
itz

Ki
G
Sw

C
et

d
N

te
ed

ni
e

at
Th

U
ci
so
As

Source: European Commission (2003)

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Worldwide Publications
in Nanotechnology
1997-99
1997-1999

EU-15 and
EFTA l Europe has a strong
others
34% knowledge-base
5% USA and
Canada
l Asia and Russia
28% showing growth
Candidate Asia
Countries 25%
and Russia
8%

Source: European Commission (2003)

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Worldwide Patents
in Nanotechnology

l Europe’s strength in
EU-15 and knowledge does not
others
3%
EFTA appear to be seen in
39% terms of patents
l Similar trend seen
Asia when seen in terms
13%
USA and of start-up and spin-
Canada off companies…
45%

(EPO and WIPO data only)

Source: European Commission (2003)

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Start-up Companies in
Nanotechnology (1997-2002)
Asia rest of world
4% 11%
France
4%

UK
Switzerland
6%
4%
Europe
US 29%
55% others
5%

Germany
11%

Source: CEA, Bureau d’Etude Marketing

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
Is there a European Strategy
for Nanotechnology?

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 An integrated and
responsible approach
l Nanotechnology requires action on several fronts

Societal
Issues
Infrastructure
Health, safety,
International Research environmental
Cooperation and and consumer
Development protection
Industrial
Innovation Human
Resources

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Industrial Innovation:
Knowledge to Technology
l Promote conditions that encourage investment in
nanotechnology R&D by industry
l Investigate the prospects and conditions for the
optimal industrial exploitation of nanotechnologies
l Invites the European Investment Bank and other
institutions to strengthen the capital base for R&D
l Encourages closer cooperation between patent
offices towards a more efficient patenting system
l Invites Member States to review existing regulation
and consider specificities of nanotechnology
l Boost and coordinate actions in metrology,
standards and norms
NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Integrating the Societal
Dimension
l Due attention should be paid to the integrating
societal aspects into nanotechnology R&D
l Europe should pursue an open and proactive
approach to governance in nanotechnology R&D
l A dialogue with EU citizens and consumers should
be encouraged to promote informed judgement
l The Commission reaffirms its commitment to
ethical principles
l The responsible and transparent development of
nanotechnology is essential for public confidence

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Discussion of the Seventh Framework
Programme has started: Proposed Axes

w
ne
Technology
initiatives w
ne
Collaborative Basic research,
research competitive funding

6 axes
Human Coordination of
resources national
Research programmes
infrastructures

http://www.cordis.lu/era/fp7.htm
NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Technology Platforms
l Bringing the main public and private stakeholders
to address major technological challenges
l Key concepts are:
l Development of a shared long-term vision (e.g.
“Vision 2020”);
l Creation of a coherent, dynamic strategy to
achieve this vision;
l Leading role of industry but should include
stakeholders (research, financial, users and
civil society)
http://www.cordis.lu/technology-platforms/

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 European Nanoelectronics
Initiative Advisory Council
l Bringing the main public and private stakeholders
to address major technological challenges
l Vision 2020 document issued by
ENIAC high-level group on 29

Credit © European Community, 2004

June 2004
l Key recommendation of the high
level group is the creation of a
Technology Platform
l Strategic research agenda is
being developed
l Possible initiative planned for
nanomedicine….

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Possible Technological
Platform for Nanomedicine
l Nanomedicine is undergoing rapid technological
development and is in high social demand
l Huge industrial and market potential but
financing crucial for convincing ideas

Credit © European Community, 2004

l Lack of coordination of ongoing R&D
initiatives at private and public level
l Need for a Technological Platform with
common vision and R&D agenda
l Proposed R&D topics are regenerative
medicine, nanodiagnostics and targeted
drug delivery / release

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

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

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES
 Thank you for your attention!
Full text of the Communication and information on
nanotechnology in Europe can be downloaded from:
http://www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology
Please provide your comments:
rtd-nano-strategy@cec.eu.int
Other nanotechnology information also from:

NANOTECHNOLOGIES AND NANO-SCIENCES, KNOWLEDGE-BASED MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND DEVICES