Online services supporting nanotechnologies
The European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN aims to support industry in the fields of precision engineering, micro-engineering and nanotechnologies. The project organised a number of seminars, conferences and scientific training and has also simulated a number of new EC collaborative projects and built strong relationships with other European and international networks and societies that serve the field of nanotechnology. The EUSPEN society at the moment has more corporate members than any other comparable society on an international scale. Tutors from high profile manufacturing organisations have undertaken the task of technical training at the society. As for conferences, three have already been held with great success while three other future events are being planned that are up to the year 2004. Moreover, the current project has launched an Internet site, VisionOnline, at the web address: http://www.VisionOnline.tv that has the task of providing multidisciplinary technical training using both traditional and on-line media techniques. The site also includes an electronic Nanotechnology patent library, expertise search facilities and discussion forums where scientists from various fields can exchange information and ideas. Another main objective of the current project that has been incorporated in the services VISION Online offers, is to boost international competitiveness of the European industry and to accelerate research and development in the fields of high precision engineering, microengineering and nanoscience. To this end VISION Online compiles portfolios of projects that industry will subsequently research. The lack of such service until now has been recognised as a major cause that hinders industrial growth. The field of nanotechnology has a vast number of possible future applications. Projects like EUSPEN have and will continue to contribute to the further development of this amazing technology.
