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July 22, 2004 – Europe needs to get cracking if it wants to benefit from the small tech revolution and reap the jobs expected to come with it. That’s the message of a strategy document the European Commission adopted in May. Several events this summer indicate there is a receptive audience for its message.
The document, called “Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology,” concedes Europe has established a strong small-tech knowledge base, but points out that the region is failing to appropriately translate this into commercially viable products.
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“It is crucial,” said European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin in a statement, “that we help create a favorable environment for innovation in the nanotechnology sector, particularly in reference to small- and medium-sized enterprises.”
Among the recommendations, the document argues that, overall, European Union (EU) public nanotechnology spending should triple by 2010. It says the average level of public investment in the 25 EU countries is $2.95 per citizen.
That means all EU countries, except for Ireland, have a lower per capita investment level than the United States and Japan, which spend $4.54 and $7.62 per capita respectively.
The recent opening of a new nanophotonics center in Germany and the kickoff of a European nanoelectronics initiative are expected to make the EU more competitive. Officials from the EU, chipmaker STMicroelectonics and cell phone giant Nokia signed a declaration in late June to infust 7.3 billion into nanotechnology.
The Technical University of Berlin unveiled its $6.5-million Center for Nanophotonics on June 16. The center is expected to give the region a leadership position in opto-electronics and semiconductor nanotechnologies and stimulate economic growth in Berlin.
Busquin and fellow Commissioner Erkki Liikanen were scheduled launched the nanoelectronics initiative on June 29 through ENIAC, or the European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council.
The council says its goal is to develop a competitive nanoelectronics industry in the EU through research and innovation. It has the support of numerous companies, suppliers and academic institutions.
Meanwhile, Germany is trying a novel approach of promoting small tech as part of its Technology Year 2004 initiative. The Federal Ministry for Education and Research created a “nanoTruck,” an educational exhibit on nanotechnology transported on a bright blue tractor-trailer.
The traveling exhibit began its tour at the end of January, and in June it appeared in Bonn, Duesseldorf, Dresden and several lesser-known towns. The exhibit will continue its tour until the end of the year, visiting nearly 100 different locations.
“The aim is to inform the general public about the scientific basis of nanotechnology, areas of application and its future potential,” said Andreas Jungbluth, scientific project manager at Flad & Flad Communication Group, the agency that promotes the program.
The vehicle travels with a truck manager and three scientists who answer questions and perform science demonstrations for visitors. In the first three months of operation, 35,000 visitors came to see it. A translation into French, Flemish and English was prepared for a two-day visit to Brussels in May.
“The truck has been highly successful,” Jungbluth said. “It has generated interesting discussions between the public and the scientific community.”