Expert group hails nanotechnology as cornerstone in increasing competitiveness
The European High level expert group on measurements and testing (M&T) has recommended to the Commission that M&T and nanotechnology be seen as an integral part of the European research area (ERA) and that more attention should be paid to developing M&T in the EU's candidate countries. The comments came in two separate position papers prepared under the Fifth Framework programme (FP5) by the High level expert group on M&T, created by the European Commission. 'Nanomeasurement and testing is an obvious example of a science and technology subject that should be explored within the European research area (ERA) and it will be a cornerstone in the further development of European competitiveness. Particular attention should therefore be given to modalities foreseen in the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) such as virtual institutes, centres of excellence, as well as an adequate fraction of funding for measurement and testing within the foreseen specific nanotechnology programme,' states one of the reports. The expert group claims that precision engineering, micro and optoelectronics and bio-molecular technology are unable to develop to their full potential without the necessary associated developments in M&T While some Member States and candidate countries have set up programmes and networks, and are funding projects, 'a coherent European approach is missing and urgently needed for a Europe-wide coordinated development,' reads one of the reports. Both reports emphasise that further cooperation is necessary. Researchers should build on existing networks & centres of excellence. Further cooperation between testing laboratories in candidate countries and the EU would also bring more of the metrological expertise to the candidate countries which is necessary for modern product testing and the European single market, claims the expert group. The current deficit in expertise represents a 'serious limitation of the competitiveness of testing laboratories from candidate countries and consequently limits their national industries and economies,' states the report on M&T in the candidate countries. Expertise should also be developed through appropriate educational programmes, science and R&D activities and public awareness. 'This is the only way to decrease the technological gap between the highly developed EU Member States in the M&T area in its broadest sense, and the existing situation in M&T in candidate states,' writes the expert group. The report claims that the advance of M&T in the candidate countries is crucial to the enlargement project as a whole. Among the 29 chapters which must be negotiated before enlargement, several M&T related activities and corresponding infrastructures are directly involved, such as the free movement of goods, energy and the environment,. 'If not properly tackled, they could cause serious problems and impediments to international trade and the exchange of goods and services,' states the position paper. The report on the candidate countries outlines the main M&T related problems in the candidate countries to be a lack of understanding of the importance of M&T for research, the development of new products and services and international trade, a lack of cooperation among technical and administrative infrastructures and regulators, industries and M&T laboratories at national and international levels, problems with the financing of M&T infrastructures and a shortage of expertise and M&T instrumentation. The expert group proposes the immediate organisation of a workshop in order to present a comprehensive view of the state of the art in measurement and testing in the nano range, followed by an inventory of current activities in Europe. Finally, the group calls for the development of a roadmap in order to indicate milestones of required measurement capabilities for an inventory.