European faces a number of ‘Grand Challenges’, outlined in the Lund Declaration 2009, such as the global warming, tightening supplies of energy, water and food, ageing societies, public health, pandemics and security. Nanotechnologies offer the potential to help address a number of these challenges leading to an eco-efficient European economy, which competes effectively with other world regions.
In order to achieve these goals policy makers must ensure that European research is world leading. However, the innovation pathway from basic research, through development, to commercialisation must also be highly effective. The report produced by Spinverse and ObservatoryNANO will provide policy makers at all levels, from local governments up to the European Commission (EC) and European Parliament (EP), with an overview of the nanotechnology landscape in Europe.
The report has involved monitoring of new technology developments and their market impacts through desk research and extensive expert engagement together with a company survey to identify and gather information on European nanotechnology business activity. The survey has built upon the patent, publication, and funding analysis that has been ongoing since the project’s inception in 2008. It already includes direct input from over one hundred nanotechnology businesses across Europe, as well as basic data on over 1500 nanotech companies identified by the ObservatoryNANO through objective criteria.
The ObservatoryNANO project is funded under FP7 for four years from April 1st 2008 and includes 16 partners from 10 European States. Its primary aim is to support European decision-makers with information and analysis on developments in nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N). The final goal of the ObservatoryNANO project is to establish a permanent European Observatory on Nanotechnologies, to provide ongoing, independent support to decision-makers.