Successful European nanotechnology research. Outstanding science and technology to match the needs of future society

In order to think ever bigger, you have to go ever smaller. Science today is looking for the key to greater achievements by turning its full attention to the manipulation of structures in the order of a few millionths of a millimetre, the nano domain. However, this new industrial revolution implies the mastery of an intricate web of interdisciplinary connections, as demonstrated throughout the research projects of the different clusters described in this publication.

Nanomedicine is represented by its three main branches: Diagnostics, Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine; Energy and Environment reveal the potential to give the world cheap access to clean water and energy; Electronics/ICT and Nanomaterials cross over into virtually all nano-territories, including Industrial Applications, Security, Textiles and Agrifood.

The safety of nanomaterials and processes is being very actively researched as shown by the large portfolio of projects under the cluster Environmental and Human Safety, while societal issues of nanotechnology are addressed under the cluster Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects. Finally, the clusters on Outreach and policy Coordination and Support are closing the loop building nano-networks within the scientific world, structuring nano-educational platforms and communicating nanotechnology research to the whole society.

Link to this title through its DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.2777/2209

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