Information and communication technologies

Open Day on Nanotechnology - 27 October 2010

In the framework of the ongoing work of the High-Level Expert Group on Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), this Open Day was organised by the Working Group on Nanotechnologies in order to consult a broad stakeholder audience on the needs and challenges of the sector, contributing to the development of appropriate policy measures to promote the industrial deployment of KETs.

The development of nanotechnologies in and from Europe for more societal benefits

The design and use of nanotechnologies is leading to breakthrough technologies with the potential to respond to global challenges such as health, energy efficiency, mobility and climate change. For this reason, the European Commission included nanotechnologies in the list of “key enabling technologies” whose development is considered essential for Europe and the rest of the world.

In order to ensure European leadership in this field, a transparent and cross-sectoral debate on how to improve current exploitation mechanisms of nanotechnologies needs to take place. Indeed, though the nanotechnology research base is clearly well established in Europe, commercialising these research efforts is proving difficult.

As a forum for debate, the Open Day on Nanotechnology focused on the following issues: the international competitive situation of nanotechnologies, the existing barriers to their exploitation, the role of the value chain and the necessary policy initiatives to be undertaken to foster market take-up.

Who attended?

The Open Day was aimed at all essential partners for the successful deployment of nanotechnologies in Europe:

• European Commission representatives

• Member States representatives

• Various industries such as solar, wind, automotive, nano-electronics, construction, ICT

• Investment and insurance companies

• Experts in technology acceptance

Agenda pdf - 15 KB [15 KB]