Objective The non-confidential output of the Network project included a printed Biomateria Newsletter, published as 4 issues between 1998 and 1999, and the Internet-based web site (http://www.biomateria.com) which has carried further issues of the Biomateria Newsletter. The Biomateria web site also carries information on forthcoming conferences in the biomaterials and devices areas and digests of information on RTD and commercial developments in these areas. The site also provides a service to people with enquiries about materials and devices. In addition, the co-ordinator of the Network organised seminars and workshops and spoke at independent conferences in the field of materials RTD and devices.The confidential outcome of the project includes monitoring reports on RTD projects participating in the Network, and other special reports carried out at the request of the EC Scientific Officer.TRA-N PROJECT OVERVIEW The TRA-N European Biomaterials Network is a project funded by the EC, designed to aid the monitoring, evaluation and exploitation aspects of a number of Brite-Euram and SMT projects in the field of new materials for bio-medicine. Whilst the participating projects have the common goal of improving the range and safety of materials available for medical use, their specific targets and market sectors are diverse. This diversity increases the challenge for efficient and mutually beneficial technology interactions, dissemination and development of appropriate technology-protection and commercialisation. To maximise the potential for these actions, the European Biomaterials Network has been established to share knowledge and experience relating to the manufacture, modification and/or testing of materials for use as medical implants or devices. Given the already widespread information available pertaining to the Network and the strength of support for the initiative, it is being directed immediately towards the implementation phase. The TRA-N is divided into three natural clusters; hard materials, soft materials, and methods of testing and manufacture, to take into account the overall aims of the existing EC-funded projects and permit a further level of focus and complementarity whilst assuring effective co-ordination of activities. The network itself establishes a system for monitoring technical and financial progress within the projects against targets agreed with the EC, and maximising the potential for greater awareness of, and fruitful interaction with, related activities. The key objectives of the network are: * to monitor progress within the identified projects against agreed targets * to maximise communication , awareness (dissemination/technology transfer) and fruitful interaction within, and between, projects and related activities of issues such as the current regulatory position and effect on the biomaterials industry, the role of appropriate Standards, ... EUROPEAN DIMENSION AND PARTNERSHIP The TRA-N Thematic Network is anticipated to have a significant European and internationalimpact. To enhance and maintain competitiveness in the world market for materials components, materials and finished products, EU industry (especially SMEs) must have the ability to develop new quality products of higher added-value and must be involved in materials research that provides new solutions to problems, new ways of approaching challenges in the market, and optimises the application of current technologies. The clusters proposed and the individual projects themselves are aimed at addressing difficult problems or targeting significant advances in the devices area. Successful implementation of the network will contribute to the EU's competitive position. The projects incorporated into the TRA-N are already embedded within the EC's IMT Programme and its industrial objectives. Each project itself includes contractors, partners or members from industry, especially SMEs, who have endorsed the project with their interest and/or funding. Many of those elements pointed out above are included in these projects and fulfill the future strategic needs of EU industry. POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS The potential sales to be gained by European companies that can exploit new technologies which overcome existing material and test problems are clearly large. These technology gaps include the need for materials for medical use that have better shortand long-term biocompatibility profiles and that are based on a greater understanding of the interaction between body tissues and materials. Such an improved understanding will drive the production of "second generation" materials for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This necessitates further development of the following: * materials manufacturing and processing technologies * surface engineering technologies * techniques for imaging materials and biomolecules on surfaces * computer models relating materials composition, microstructure, process parameters and end product performance properties * improved data analysis, compilation and cataloguing/storage as databases for technology transfer/dissemination Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencenatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesengineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants Programme(s) FP4-BRITE/EURAM 3 - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 0201 - Materials engineering Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator BioBridge, BioBusiness Development Consultancy Address 45 st barnabas road CB1 2BX Cambridge United Kingdom See on map EU contribution No data Participants (18) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI Greece EU contribution € 0,00 Address University campus 54006 Thessaloniki See on map Other funding No data BIOMATECH S.A. France EU contribution € 0,00 Address Rue pasteur 115, z.i. l'islon 38670 Chasse sur rhone See on map Other funding No data Danish Technological Institute Denmark EU contribution € 0,00 Address Gregersensvej 2630 Taastrup See on map Links Website Opens in new window Other funding No data FIDIA ADVANCED BIOPOLYMERS SRL Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via ponte della fabbrica 3/b 35031 Abano terme See on map Other funding No data GKSS - Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address 55,kantstrasse 55 14513 Teltow See on map Other funding No data ISO TIS N.V. Netherlands EU contribution € 0,00 Address 10,prof. bronkhorstlaan 10-d 3723 MB Bilthoven See on map Other funding No data PARCO SCIENTIFICO E TECNOLOGICO AREA IONICO SALENTINA - CENTRO NAZIONALE PER LA RICERCA E LO SVILUPPO DEI MATERIALI SCPA Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address S.s. per mesagne - km 7+300 72100 Brindisi See on map Other funding No data QUEEN MARY AND WESTFIELD COLLEGE - ST. BARTHOLOMEWS & THE ROYAL LONDON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address 2,newark street 2 E1 2AT London See on map Other funding No data Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address 30,pauwelsstrasse 30 52057 Aachen See on map Other funding No data Sintea Compositi Srl Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via aquileiachi 33 20021 Bollate milano See on map Other funding No data Straumann GmbH Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address 9,jechtinger strasse 9 79111 Freiburg See on map Other funding No data UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PISA Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via risorgimento 35 56100 Pisa See on map Other funding No data UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK Ireland EU contribution € 0,00 Address Plassey technological park 61 Limerick See on map Other funding No data UNIVERSITY OF VIGO Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Ciudad universitario lagoas - marcosende 36200 Vigo See on map Links Website Opens in new window Other funding No data Universiteit Twente Netherlands EU contribution € 0,00 Address 7500 AE Enschede See on map Other funding No data University of Leeds United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address Woodhouse lane LS2 9JT Leeds See on map Other funding No data University of Sheffield United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address Claremont crescent S10 2TA Sheffield See on map Other funding No data Université de Nice - Sophia Antipolis France EU contribution € 0,00 Address Parc valrose 06034 Nice See on map Other funding No data