June 2007 Archives

Mihail Roco, senior adviser on nanotechnology to the US National Science Foundation, proposed an "open source" approach to the regulation of nanotechnology. Systems of governance must be transparent and easy to adapt if they are to withstand the rapid pace of research worldwide.

According to Roco, nanotechnology is now in its second stage of development. Beginning in 2000, the emphasis was on passive nanostructures whereas today the focus now includes active formulations for applications such as drug delivery and electronics. The next step will be the evolution of systems of nanostructures for performing multiple tasks followed eventually by self-assembling molecular devices and networks.

Nanotechnologists are experts in pushing equipment to the limit and were keen to check out what vendors had to offer at the show. Exhibitors included Agilent Technologies, FEI Company, First Nano, Fritsch, ION-TOF, Kelvin Nanotechnology, Mechonics, Raith and Schaefer.

Standards will play a vital role in the commercial success of nanotechnology and Peter Hatto, chairman of ISO's technical committee on nanotechnologies (TC 229) was on hand at EuroNanoForum 2007 to give an overview of activity in the area.

China, a big producer of nano nickel, ZnO and titania, was one of the first countries to come up with domestic standards on nanotechnology back in 2004. Today, the membership of TC 229 spans 39 countries and work in the field appears to be gathering pace.

Industrial applications took centre stage this week at EuroNanoForum 2007 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The European Commission (EC) is keen to shine a light on the commercialization of nanotechnology.

Nicholas Hartley, advisor on industrial technologies to the EC's directorate-general for research, commented that industrial participation in the commission's framework projects is up from 18% in 2003 to more than 37% today.

It is expected that the recently launched seventh framework programme (FP7) will double the amount of European funding committed to nanoscience and nanotechnology compared with the FP6 figure of EURO 1.4 billion.

The belief that nanotechnology will power a new economic wave of prosperity remains and no country wants to miss the boat. Apparently, around 60 nations now have programs dedicated to nanotechnology.

Nanotechweb flies to Düsseldorf on Monday to bring you news from the 2007 edition of EuroNanoForum - Europe's largest specialist nanotechnology event. Held for the first time in Germany, the show builds on previous European Commission supported conferences in the UK (Edinburgh, 2005) and Italy (Triest, 2003).

"Chemistry, electronics, healthcare, surface sciences, material sciences and textiles are some of the big topics this time around," Michael H. Wappelhorst of the European Commission's press office told nanotechweb.org. "The 2005 event was focused on nanomedicine, whereas this year's conference is much more open."

According to Wappelhorst, there has been a noticable increase in the number of emerging applications over the past two years. "Europe is especially strong on nanomaterials, nanomedicine and sustainable development," He added. "We want EuroNanoFourm to target the opportunities, challenges and bottlenecks."

[image: wood treated with BASF's water repellant "Lotus Spray"]