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A European strategy for Nanotechnology

A European strategy for Nanotechnology. Dr. Angela Hullmann European Commission DG Research, Directorate ‘Industrial Technologies’ Unit ‘Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies’. Conference on ‘Nanotechnology in Science, Economy, and Society’ Marburg, Germany, 13th-15th January 2005.

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A European strategy for Nanotechnology

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  1. A European strategy for Nanotechnology Dr. Angela Hullmann European CommissionDG Research, Directorate ‘Industrial Technologies’Unit ‘Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies’ Conference on ‘Nanotechnology in Science, Economy, and Society’Marburg, Germany, 13th-15th January 2005

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

  3. Nanotechnology Applications Medicine and Health InformationTechnology Energy Production / Storage Materials Science Food, Water and the Environment Instruments Remediation methods Drug delivery GMR Hard Disk Hydrogen Fuel Cells Lightweight and strong Tunneling microscopy • Expected to impact upon virtually all technological sectors as an “enabling” or “key” technology

  4. 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 deficitfor 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

  5. Worldwide funding of nanotechnology R&D • Absolute public expenditure during 2003 (1€ = 1$) Public expenditure ( 1€ = 1$ ) Source: European Commission (2003)

  6. 1. Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences 2. Knowledge-based Multifunctional Materials 3. New Production Processes and Devices Nanotechnology in the 6th Framework Programme Thematic priority 3: NMPTotal budget: € 1300 million

  7. Key objectives • The economic objective of nanotechnology in the NMP priority is twofold: • to promote the creation of an RTD-intensive European nanotechnology related industry • and to promote the uptake of nanotechnologies in existing industrial sectors • The social objectives are not less important: • to promote the development of nanotechnology products and processes that help to solve health, environmental, and security problems • to ensure that nanotechnology research and products will not harm health and/or the environment and do not break ethical rules

  8. Societal Issues Infrastructure ResearchandDevelopment IndustrialInnovation HumanResources Nanotechnology:The European approach isintegrated and responsible Recent Communication by the European Commission: “Towards a European strategy for nanotechnology” -> Nanotechnology R&D has to be embedded in a wider context and to follow a responsible approach InternationalCooperation Health, safety, environmental and consumer protection COM(2004) 338

  9. 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 Framework Programme for added-value via critical mass, transnational collaboration and competition • Effective coordination of national programmes • Bring public and private stakeholders together to strengthen roadmap and foresighting activities

  10. 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

  11. 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 withcritical mass should be built • All financing mechanisms should be explored e.g. European Investment Bank, Structural Funds, etc

  12. Investing in Human Resources • Identification of educational needs of nanotechnology and best practices • Definition and implementation of new courses and curricula for nanotechnology • Integration of complementary skills into research training (e.g. entrepreneurship) • Exploration of dedicated Marie Curie calls for proposals in nanotechnology • Creation of a “European award in nanotechnology” to encourage young researchers

  13. Societal aspects • Integration of societal aspects into nanotechnology R&D • Open and proactive approach to governance in nanotechnology R&D • A dialogue with EU citizens & consumers is 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.

  14. Nanotechnology in Science Fiction novels

  15. The ‘tragedy’ of public engagement Degree of maturity of a technology Degree of potential public influence on technological development Degree of interest in and knowledge about the technology Consequences: Information and involvement of the public in an early stage of the development of an emerging technology is indispensableand policy has to be proactive A real partnership between science, society and policy has to be established, in form of an open dialogue with open results

  16. How to communicate nanotechnology? Two projects are funded by the European Commission that aim at communicating ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) of research in nanotechnology to the public. One project bases on brochures, workshops and website tools, the other one on visualisation of nanotechnology in science museumsand exhibitions.

  17. ELSA of nanotechnology • Nanologue: Questions that are addressed: • Which aspects will be relevant in the futurefor public discussions about nanotechnology ? • How can the public opinion be involved in future decision making in the field of nanotechnology ? • How can scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs be sensitised for ELSA of nanotechnology? • What are the hot topics for policy makers in general and for the European Research Policy in particular ?

  18. Visualise nanotechnology • Nano Dialogue: Questions that are addressed: • How can the interested but ignorant public be informed about nanotechnology research ? • How can the science base of nanotechnology be visualised ? • How can young people be approached and attracted to nanotechnology ? • How can a dialogue about ELSA of nanotechnology be provoked ?

  19. Nanotechnology: informative materials Broschure: “Nanotechnology: Innovation for tomorrow’s world” Film (for younger people): “Nanotechnology” Film: “Nano: The next dimension” The brochure and the films can be obtained from www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology/src/pressroom.htm

  20. 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

  21. Risk assessment between benefits and uncertainties Acceptance of certain risks high benefits medium benefits ‘Grey zone’ low benefits No acceptance of any risks • The public acceptancean emerging technology depends on the perception of its (potential) risks in relation to its (potential) benefits. • Both, risks and benefits, have to be made clear. • Where uncertainties about potential dangers are occurring, research has to reduce these uncertainties. • For the acceptance, it is irrelevant whether the risk perception is realistic or irrational.

  22. Projects on risk assessment for health and environment Funded in the 5th Framework Programme (FP5): • Nanosafe: Risk assessment in production and use of nanoparticles with development of preventive measures and practice codes • Nanoderm: Skin as a barrier to ultra-fine particles • Nanopathologies: nano-particles in biomaterial-induced pathologies FP6 – Projects in negotiation: • Nanosafe II • Toxicological impact of nanoparticles on human health and the environment FP6 – Next call for proposals: • Interaction of engineered nanoparticles with the environment and the living world

  23. A Further Step: International Co-operation • Europe seeks international debate on issues such as public health, safety, environment, consumer protection, risk assessment, metrology, norms • Europe insists that access toknowledge must stay open to all countries of this world; Europe even funds research of thirdcountries (not of the wealthy though) • Europe promotes the monitoring and sharing of information related to the scientific, technological, economical & social development of nanotechnology • Europe strives to define an international “code of conduct” for the responsible development of nanotechnology.

  24. Council of the European Union Endorsement of Commission's Communication ‘Towards a European strategy for nanotechnology’, namely • to develop an integrated and responsible strategy The Commission's intention was welcomed: • to draw up an Action Plan for nanotechnology (first quarter of 2005) after wide-ranging stakeholder debate • to engage in dialogue at international level to establish a framework of shared principles for the safe, sustainable, responsible and socially acceptabledevelopment and use of nanotechnology.

  25. Information General information on Nanotechnology in Europe: www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology For the European strategy for nanotechnology: www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology/src/communication For comments, questions or suggestions, please contact me: angela.hullmann@cec.eu.int

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