Busquin gives nanotechnology a boost
EU Commissioner for Research, Philippe Busquin, has outlined plans to create a Nanotechnology Industrial Platform, reminding the research community that 700 million euro will be allocated to nanotech research under the Sixth Framework Programme. Speaking at a conference in Copenhagen on the role of nanotechnologies in sustainable development, Mr. Busquin said that 'Nanotechnology will allow Europe [...] to do more and better with fewer resources. We must encourage all European players, public and private, to join forces, pool resources and invest in nanotech research.' He warned that, currently, nanotech research is suffering from a lack of coordination at European level, with a doubling-up of efforts among regions and Member States. But Commissioner Busquin said that he was encouraged by the 1,500 responses to a call for expressions of interest on nanotech research, and predicted that such projects would lay the foundations for discoveries that would improve the lives of Europeans. Nanotechnology deals with products on a molecular level. To give some idea of the scale involved, in every millimetre there are one million nanometres. Using nanotechnology, scientists are able to study and manipulate the molecular properties of objects, which enables them to produce cleaner, safer and 'smarter' products, thereby reducing waste and energy consumption. Nanotech applications include energy storage and distribution, detection, measurement and testing, processors and display technologies, bio-analysis and drug delivery, robotics and prosthetics. Mr. Busquin emphasised that 'clean' nanotechnologies provide Europe with a means to achieve its commitments on CO2 emissions and sustainable development, and thus preserve the environment for future generations.