eir 09 081002 - european...
TRANSCRIPT
NMP – linking
with national policies
#9 October 2008
ISSN 1725-8472
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US science prize for nanomedicine project paperA research paper published by the consortium of EU-funded project ‘Understanding the nanoparticle-protein corona using methods to quantify exchange rates and affi nities of proteins for nanoparticles’ was the winner of the 2007 Cozzarelli Prize, awarded by the US National Academy of Sciences for exceptional contributions to science.
Researchers from University College Dublin (UCD) and Lund University in Sweden collaborated on the work, which was selected from more than 3,600 articles. Accor ding to the paper, the traditional scientifi c view that the size, shape and material properties of nanoparticles directly determine how they interact with living matter may be incomplete.
‘We argue that a key issue to understanding and control-ling where nanoparticles go, and how they interact with living systems, is to identify the biomolecules attracted to the surface of the particle in a real biological environ-ment, such as blood,’ says Professor Kenneth Dawson from UCD. ‘It’s comparable to making a good address label for a letter. Once the address is correct, there’s a strong chance that the letter will arrive to the right place. These developments will be central to ensuring the safe and responsible development of nanotechnology, as well as providing insights into how to develop novel kinds of nanomedicine.’
Commission adopts code of conduct for responsible nano research
In February 2008, the European Commission adopted a code of conduct for responsible research in nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N). Although Europe is at the vanguard of this promising fi eld of science, many know-ledge gaps remain in relation to the impact of the technologies on human health and the environment. Concerns over ethics and the respect of fundamental rights are also linked to N&N.
For these reasons, the Commission has drawn up a volun-tary code that covers seven general principles, including sustainability, precaution, inclusiveness and accountability. With the publication of its ‘Code of Conduct for Responsi-ble Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies Research’, the Commission hopes that universities, research institutes and companies in the EU will sign up and ensure the safe development and use of nanotechnologies.
Highlights
The European Industrial Research magazine provides information and research results in the fi eld of Industrial Technologies – a key element in the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research and technological development. Priority 4 focuses on Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materi-als and new production technologies. It promotes the transition to a knowledge-based society in Europe.
Visit the Industrial Technologies website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/industrial_technologies/index_en.html for more extensive coverage of the issues discussed in this magazine and to discover many more themes and articles on Commission-funded industrial research, updated on a regular basis.
Specifi c questions on Theme 4 can also be adressed to the FP7 Enquiry service: http://ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries which has replaced the previous Help Desk e-mail service.
Published by: European Commission, Research DG, Directorate G (Industrial Technologies).
Legal notice: Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use that might be made of the information contained in this publication. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, readers who wish to follow up any of the opportunities cited in this publication should confi rm the validity of the information with the contacts and/or references cited in the articles.
© European Commission, 2008
Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged.
Highlights
Cont
ents
4-5 Viewpoints Integration brings challenges and opportunities
6 Brokerage events broaden participation in FPs
7-11 NMP-related ERA-NETs NMP a prime mover in transnational ERA-NETs
12-13 Second FP7 calls on track
14-19 Industrial Roundup
19 EC president welcomes Manufuture manifesto
20 Industrial research briefi ng
Fact-fi nding workshopThe Industrial Technologies Directorate organised a special workshop in Brussels on 17-18 April 2008 to discuss knowledge gaps in research on the safety of nanomate-rials. Its aims were to encourage networking and information sharing, improve the communication of results to risk assessment bodies, and review research priorities.
The event proved very successful, with substantial contri-butions from many of the nearly 150 participants.
There was a shared perception that, while research on the impact of nanotechnology and particularly of nanopar-ticles on health and the environment has grown over the four years since the adoption of the nanotechnology strat-egy and action plan by the Commission, significant scientifi c and technological challenges remain. These were seen to range from pattern recognition of the main toxico-logical parameters, to understanding the interaction mechanisms of nanoparticles in real matrices and condi-tions; from the development of appropriate analytical and measuring devices and methods, to the selection of good and cost-effective practices in laboratory and industry.
Recommendations for research areas to be funded under FP7 included analytical tools (particularly in food), life-cycle assessment of nanotechnology-based products, exposure scenarios and ecotoxicity.
Council endorses research decisionsAs the six-month Slovenian presidency of the EU drew to its close on 1 July 2008, Mojca Kucler Dolinar, the country’s Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, summed up its achievements in the fi eld of research policy.
Addressing the 26 June meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), she drew particular attention to the work done to revitalise the European Research Area (ERA) through the launch of the ‘Ljubljana Process’. This sets out a vision for the ERA based on four key principles: free movement of knowledge; mod-ern research institutions working together in globally competitive clusters; favourable conditions for all research actors, including the private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and benefi ts for citizens from research-based efforts to solve major societal challenges.
Agreement was also reached on the seat of the new European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). After long negotiations, Member States fi nally approved its location in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
EU-Russia cooperation was another Slovenian priority. At the fi rst meeting of the EU-Russia Permanent Partner-ship Council and Research in May, both parties looked forward to closer research collaboration. The EU delega-tion promised to look into the possibility of allowing Russia to become officially associated to the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Gaining associated status would enable Russian scientists to participate fully in FP7 on an equal footing with EU researchers.
Ministers also gave the green light to a number of impor-tant programmes, including the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH) Joint Technology Initiative (JTI), and the EUROSTARS programme, which promotes research-performing SMEs.
NMP actions
strengthen Europe-wide
research cooperation
Th e lead topic in this edition of European Industrial
Research is an examination of the progress being
made in assimilating the New Member States more
fully into the European Research Area. Th is is clearly
a matter of some urgency, given that the EU-12 nations
now constitute almost half the membership of the
enlarged Community.
In our ‘Viewpoints’ feature, informed spokespersons
from four of the countries concerned identify a range
of teething problems to be overcome, but express a
shared optimism that productive integration will be
achieved in the longer term. A companion report
shows that brokerage events being organised on behalf
of the NMP Priority are proving successful in breaking
down the barriers. Audiences are enthusiastic, and
there are already concrete results in the form of new
east-west collaborations. Th ese brokerage events can
even serve as examples for EU15 countries who wish
to improve their participation in the programme.
Meanwhile, we are pleased to confi rm that the imple-
mentation of the Seventh Framework Programme is
moving ahead at a satisfactory pace. Th e second round
of calls for NMP proposals drew a healthy response –
and with improved evaluation procedures now in
place, their processing is on schedule for fi nal selec-
tion and funding allocation in 2008.
A third focus of interest is the ERA-NET/ERA-NET
Plus scheme, in which NMP is particularly strongly
represented. Our article on pages 7-11 cites a number
of examples in which the pooling of national and
regional funding is helping to create the synergy and
critical mass needed to maintain EU leadership in
fi elds of great strategic importance to industry.
At a time of general economic gloom, investment in lead-
ing edge research has to be seen as more necessary than
ever to secure a competitive, sustainable and prosperous
future for Europe.
Herbert von Bose
Director of Industrial
Technologies Directorate
Research DG,
European Commission
Edito
rial
Highlights
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Prof. Jozsef Gyulai, President, Engineering Science section, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, now serves as a private expert on the FP7 NMP committee.
Following the break-up of the Soviet bloc in 1989, I used to com-ment that Hungary had emerged as the ‘most fortunate loser’ of the cold war. Subsequently, it became apparent that the transition to democracy was creating problems for the research fraternity, as for other aspects of the economy.
Under the former Communist regime, research collaboration with the West was tacitly toler-ated, provided we respected the political sensibilities. As a result, we enjoyed considerable freedom to establish relationships, build up an international reputation and participate in various exchange programmes.
We went on to take part in the successive Framework Programmes, although fi nance was often an issue. Our analytical capabilities, in particular, made our laboratories eligible as partners in large-scale projects for sectors such as the automotive industry.
The early 2000s brought a relative boom in national funding for academic initiatives with strong industrial participation, and we hoped the impetus would carry us forward. Since that time, however, the National Offi ce for Technology and Innovation has faced continuing reorganisation and fi nancial restrictions that make project funding very unpredictable.
During the later years of Soviet rule, our industries coped largely by copying Western prod-ucts. This ‘borrowed’ technology sustained the new privatised SMEs over the following decades – but, by now, the pace of innovation is failing to keep abreast of the need for renewal. Most small businesses fi nd themselves in a vulnerable position as one-product suppliers to multinational companies.
While it is clear that research investment must be increased, offi cial talk of transition to a knowledge-based economy is not so far being backed by action in this country. The universi-ties continue to produce a majority of legal and economics graduates, and the rewards to scientists lag behind those of the commercial world.
I believe the EU could help us to address this situation by infl uencing the national govern-ment to promote an environment encouraging the gathering and organisation of knowledge that cannot easily be transferred offshore. This kind of intervention has proved effective in underpinning the rise of successful industries in the ‘Tiger Economies’ that now pose such a serious threat to European competitiveness.
Despite these current diffi culties, I remain optimistic that the creative abilities demon-strated in our project contributions to date will enable Hungary to play a valuable role in FP7 and beyond.
Prof. Ana Proykova, a theoretical physicist at the University of Sofi a, is Vice-president of Bulgaria’s National Council on Nanotechnology, a national delegate to the NMP programme committee and the coordinator of several EU-funded research projects.
Bulgarian research groups have already been involved in a number of European project consortia. We have been able to modernise some key facilities – for example, in the Centre for Genomics – and participating in ERA-NET has helped us to synchronise activi-ties across the country.
A real problem at present is that there is little awareness at the political level of the role of scientifi c research and its relation to the educational system. It is unfortunate that our accession document, unlike that of some other countries, made no mention of the use of structural funds for research purposes.
Furthermore, we have gone from one-party government to a current mix of over 300 parties that tend to shift, amalgamate or disappear in response to immediate pressures. On the one hand, this makes it diffi cult to know who to approach to discuss funding; and how. On the other, it means there is a lack of long-term strategic planning compatible with the time-scale necessary for research programmes to achieve meaningful results. Our priorities are there-fore to make the politicians more aware of our needs, and to educate a younger generation of scientists.
Bulgarians are creative yet inward-looking. The nation is a rich cultural mix, but one that has suffered centuries of subjugation under Byzantine, Ottoman and latterly Soviet con-trol. The result is an inherent lack of trust between people, which makes it diffi cult to organise cooperative ventures. Also, the pace of development is signifi cantly slower than in other parts of Europe.
In July 2008, the National Science Fund opened calls for proposals related to scientifi c research at the universities, which is a signifi cant fi rst step towards the country’s inclusion in the ERA. I am convinced that we shall be able to make an important contribution in the future, but it could take 20-40 years to realise our full potential.
Integration brings challenges
Assimilation of the New Member States (NMS) into the European Research Area will bring long-term benefi t to them and to the Community as a whole. But the transition is not without its initial diffi culties. Four national experts concerned with the NMP Priority share their views and hopes.
Viewpointse
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Dr Alexandr Prokop is the Czech Republic National Contact Point for NMP, Space and Aeronautics, who also acts as an expert adviser to the NMP Programme Committee and a national representative in the Mirror Group ETP Nanomedi-cine. His background is in research at the Czech Academy of
Chemical Sciences, covering chemistry, computer modelling, nanotechnology and special materials. Now an independent consultant, he operates from the Technol-ogy Centre of the country’s Academy of Sciences, which hosts all NCP activities.
If we measure research success in terms of participation and funding share in EU projects, the Czech Republic (CZ) ranks as one of the better performing NMS, but still lags behind many of the EU15 countries of similar size.
While this remains less than satisfactory, the trend is positive. The average number of CZ par-ticipants in NMP has risen by nearly 20% since FP6, while average budget share/partner rose from 3.1% to 6.6%. Our industrial participation is also higher than that of the other NMS – and our success rate in the fi rst call of FP7 was actually above the EU27 average! Hindering further progress are a lack of awareness of CZ RTD among many potential EU15 partners, and insuffi cient cross-border networking activity by our national institu-tions. This is partially explained by the relative ease with which they can obtain national funding. Another factor is the institutions’ low interest in the development of practical applications and collaboration with industry. We are aiming to remedy this by spreading information though the organisation of brokerage events and conferences.
On the positive side, we have a strong supportive infrastructure concentrated within one institution, which improves coordination and helps to create synergy. The quality of our basic science relevant to NMP is also good.
Reform of the CZ RTD and innovation system is imminent, based on Green and White book analytical studies currently being fi nalised for presentation to the government. Moreover, this country is slowly becoming a target destination for immigrants. An appro-priate immigration policy could help to attract capable researchers from third countries, as a means to alleviate the present manpower shortage. The FP7 programme ‘People’ might be also very helpful in this regard, as we have to commit ourselves strongly to enhancing the mobility of personnel.
Total RTD funding currently amounts to only 1.42% of GDP. But, between 2007 and 2013 we can access € 2 718 billion from the European Regional Development Fund. This creates an excellent opportunity to further improve our infrastructure, correct the structural defi -ciencies and build new RTD capacities. It also creates a strong incentive on the part of our research community to seek more synergy with the FPs in order to ensure the sustainabil-ity of this development. Apart from the FP calls, ERA-NETs, which extend international cooperation beyond the boundaries of the EC budget, now add to the possibilities for international cooperation.
Dr Audrius Zvikas, previously a biomedical researcher, is the National Contact Point for NMP and Environment in Lithuania. He is attached to the Agency for International Science and Technology Development Programmes, located in Vilnius.
A number of our universities and independent institutes, which are the main research players in Lithuania; are already active in EU programmes – notably relating to nanotechno logies and bionanotechnologies.
Most of the industrial participants are SMEs in the biotechnology, mechatronics, laser technologies, electronics and communications sectors. Due to their size, they do not have a huge impact on the national economy; but, at least, they are helping to widen our horizons.
One systemic obstacle to greater activity is the insuffi ciently developed infrastructure (equip-ment, building, informatics databases, etc.). Most Lithuanian organisations are unable to initiate projects by themselves, so they usually join the initiatives of foreign partners. For the majority, fi nancial gain is the principal incentive; the opportunities to contribute to scientifi c research or to obtain more international experience are only secondary considerations. Consequently, there are too few Lithuanian-coordinated projects.
Another barrier is a general lack of administrative and managerial competence among researchers and scientifi c managers. This is due to the fact that the governance and fi nancing of research remains inadequately organised. For example, there has been no system for tender- or programme-based funding. Know-how in managing intellectual property is also missing.
The country’s low profi le on the international scene is a further issue. Considerable effort will have to be made if tenable ideas are to lead to the creation of consortia. At present, the non-availability of resources to prepare a good proposal precludes measures such as drawing on the facilities of expert consulting companies. Use of the Structural Funds could be one way to solve this problem.
For the RTD institutes especially, insuffi cient encouragement of employees and problems of liquidity could be cited as other factors. Aging of researchers, brain-drain, inexperience compared with the EU15, a shortage of entrepreneurs, and an unfavourable tax regime all add to the list of deterrents.
A governmental ‘Programme of Development of High Technologies’ defi ning tender-based fi nancing principles for R&D in priority areas has now been approved for the years 2007-2013. Managed by the Lithuanian State Science and Study Foundation, this is directed towards the real areas of national industrial interest – so could be a signifi cant step along the road to greater European integration.
and opportunities
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Brokerage events
© S
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■ As indicated in the ‘Viewpoints’ article on page 4, academic institutes and industrial enterprises in at least some of the NMS are not yet taking full advantage of the opportunities offered under the Framework Programmes to participate in transnational research collaborations.
Like Spain and Portugal before them, they face an inevitable learning period before reaching full familiarity with the Community institutions and procedures. The political hierar-chies and administrative institutions need time to adjust to the new environment. Moreover, old habits die hard – new generations of scientists and entrepreneurs will no doubt be readier to embrace more outward-looking attitudes.
A network of National Contact Points (NCP) exists to pro-vide information, make introductions and help local organisations to join or initiate project consortia. In a further effort to encourage the integration process, the Commission is organising a series of workshops and brokerage meetings in the EU-12 states. Two such actions specifi c to the NMP Priority took place earlier this year, respectively in the Czech Republic and Poland.
Brokerage events broaden participation in FPs
First for Czech RepublicThe Czech event, organised by the Technology Centre of the Academy of Sciences, took place in Prague on 28-29 Janu-ary. Entitled ‘FP7 collaborations in nanotechnology and the materials sector’, this attracted an audience of around 60 people. Most were Czech nationals, but also in attend-ance were contingents from Poland, Slovakia and Turkey.
Presentations by Commission representatives from the Research DG Units G4 (nanotechnology) and G3 (materials) focussed on the opportunities and challenges of the second round of FP7 calls relative to the two sectors. Members of leading institutions and networks from the established Member States also described their own experiences, and highlighted the potential of bi-lateral discussions as a route to participation.
In addition, the programme included parallel sessions on open projects and the skill gaps to be fi lled, plus a short workshop on how to prepare successful proposals. Finally, conference rooms were provided for individual discussions.
NCP Alexandr Prokop reports that at least six international collaborations involving Czech partners ensued. ‘This was the fi rst meeting of its kind in the country,’ he observes. ‘Although it was organised at relatively short notice, the response was very positive, and the research community expressed strong interest in any such activity that could boost NMS participation in the FP projects.’
Polish Ministry sponsorshipThe Polish event, held in Wroclaw under the patronage of the national Ministry of Science and Higher Education, fol-lowed a similar pattern, although contained within a single day. Its topic was ‘FP7 collaborations in the materials and chemicals sectors’.
EC representative Marcin Sadowski again reports a positive feedback, but identifi es some problem areas.
‘From many questions put to me, it was obvious that the basic rules for participating in FP7 calls were far from clear to many of those present. It may be that one of the prob-lems is of a linguistic nature, which could be helped by having the Rules for Participation and the Work Programme translated into the EU-12 languages,’ he suggests.
‘Another major stumbling block appears to be an insuffi cient level of contact between our industry-related researchers and the international community. In my view, this is a gen-eration-related problem, which needs time to be resolved. A positive way of combating the diffi culty is the existence of so-called ‘grants for grants’: small grants offered by the Polish Ministry to facilitate applications for European projects. A number of young researchers reported using such grants and being happy with the results.’
Plans are already in hand for a 2009 brokerage event in the Czech Republic following the publication of the third FP7 call, and for similar meetings in the Baltic countries.
Some New Member States (NMS) are missing opportunities to benefi t from EU research funding for reasons such as unfamiliarity with the proposal procedures and a lack of established cross-border network contacts. Brokerage events organised by the European Commission are opening the door to greater integration.
New NMP theme
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ERA-NET
NMP a prime mover in
Piloted under FP6, the ERA-NET scheme has proved highly effective as a means of encouraging the coordination of national and regional research funding in Europe. The NMP Priority is strongly represented in this initiative, and will see further progress within FP7.
■ More than 85% of public-funded research is conducted at national level, mainly under discrete national and regional programmes. To overcome the resultant fragmen-tation and duplication of effort across the EU, the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6) included a programme entitled ‘Inte-grating and Strengthening the European Research Area’, the objective of which was to facilitate transnational coor-dination and cooperation.
As part of this process, the Commission introduced the ERA-NET scheme, with the aim of promoting the alignment and networking of research programmes conducted at national or regional level, stimulating joint activities and encouraging the mutual opening of these programmes. It was seen as a way to enable national systems to take on tasks collectively
that they would not be able to tack-le independently.
NMP prominentThe scheme proved a remarkable success. A fi rst series of fi ve calls was published by the Commission in December 2002. With an EU budget of €183 million to cover the tran-snational costs of coordination, this drew 229 responses. Following the evaluation process, 71 proposals for ERA-NETs were selected for funding, together involving more than 1 000 participants from 38 countries. Nineteen of these related to the topical areas of the NMP Thematic Priority.
Evolution in FP7 In contrast to the FP6 approach, the ERA-NET scheme is no longer seen as a ‘bottom-up’ action in FP7. Instead, it becomes primarily an implementation tool for strategic topics identifi ed annually in the Work Programme. Existing
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Because the intention was to empower the Mem-
ber States, Associated States and regions
themselves, instead of imposing top-down central
control, the ERA-NET scheme addressed pro-
gramme owners and managers in national
ministries, regional authorities and funding agen-
cies. In contrast to the individual research
institutions and enterprises targeted by the other
funding instruments of the Framework Pro-
gramme, these have direct access to public fi nance
that can be pooled to common advantage.
Th e initiative was designed with a long-term per-
spective that makes allowance for the different
ways in which research is organised and fi nanced
in the participating States. It allows various modes
to be adopted for the allocation of funds to transna-
tional research activities (known as ‘common pot’,
‘virtual pot’ and ‘mixed mode’ models).
Envisaged actions included benchmarking and best
practices exercises, landscape on research funding,
common project databases, networking/exchange
of programme officers, education and foresight
activities. Although the launching of joint calls
and/or programmes for transnational research
activities was not specifically prescribed at the
start, this approach has also been adopted with
increasing enthusiasm. By now, a majority of the
71 existing initiatives has organised at least one call
or has plans to do so, making some €800 million of
national/regional funds available for transnational
use by mid-2007 – including €300 million related
to NMP topics. Industrial Technologies will conse-
quently represent a high proportion of this overall
body of research. Some examples are highlighted in
the following pages.
How ERA-NETs function
ERA-NET
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transnational ERA-NETs
ERA-NETs are also able to re-apply for Commission sup-port to extend and/or reinforce their integration e.g. by broadening their partnership or increasing the types of col-laboration.
Where the actions are of a horizontal nature, or are not directly linked to the Cooperation themes, they can still be submitted as specifi c bottom-up topics, which would be supported jointly across all of the themes.
In addition, a new ERA-NET Plus scheme and actions under Article 169 of the EU Treaty will be brought into play. These should lead to even greater alignment between national and Community programmes, thereby strongly reinforcing the structuring of the European Research Area.
Through ERA-NET Plus, the EU will support the organisa-tion of one-off joint calls between national and regional research programmes by topping-up the transnational
funding with a Community contribution of up to 1/3 of the total call budget. To ensure the desired level of impact at European level, preference will be given to actions involv-ing larger numbers of States, with a clear added value for the Community and the ability to create critical mass in terms of participants and fi nancial support.
Although not actually stipulated, it is likely that the ERA-NET Plus actions will evolve from previously established ERA-NETs, as they require a pre-existing base for such cooperation. The NMP Priority was, in fact, the fi rst the-matic area in FP7 to take up this option for its NANOSCI-E+ initiative (see below).
Article 169 initiatives, whereby the Community can par-ticipate as an equal partner in longer-term strategic research and development programmes undertaken together by several Member States, are again supported by up to 1/3 of the total budget.
Learning platform Progress achieved with the NMP ERA-NETs provides clear evidence that the countries of the EU recognise the value of transnational cooperation and are very willing to par-ticipate in such shared research activities.
The fact that a signifi cant number of network partners now participate in several consortia is helping to ensure cross-ferti-lisation between related ERA-NETs. A broader ‘communication triangle’ is also being established, comprising links between European Technology Platforms (ETPs), with the Framework Programme in general, and with various ETPs. Encouraging this trend is one more way to derive maximum return on the national/regional contributions and to foster more lasting col-laborations, both between individual project partners and among the national programme managers. A ‘Learning Plat-form for ERA-NETs’ initiative has therefore been launched with the aim of gathering and learning from experiences to date.
Manufacturing accounts directly for approximately
22% of EU GNP, while manu facturing-related
activities represent an estimated 75% of the EU
GDP and 70% of employment. And, while much of
Europe’s industry is high- or medium-tech in
nature, the generation of new knowledge remains
crucial in combating challenges from global com-
petitors.
Typically, manufacturing takes place in geographi-
cal centres with strong localised specialisations.
Th is regional character gives rise to tangible eco-
nomic advantages for the areas concerned, and
lends itself to concentrations of the small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the
heart of Europe’s economy.
Today, globalisation is threatening the employment
potential and economic value of such clusters.
MANUNET was therefore created to extract greater
value from the money spent in national and regional
programmes across Europe. Led by the Basque
Government, this ERA-NET currently comprises
21 agency partners and 10 associates. In 2007, it pro-
duced an ERA-NET call, with a response of
70 proposals involving 163 SMEs from 15 countries
and regions. Private and public sources mobilised
€24 million of funds.
Th e 2008 call was again highly subscribed, drawing
101 proposals with a high level of industrial par-
ticipation and 246 SME candidates.
Projects to date are characterised by a strong market
emphasis and the presence of a large number of
SMEs new to European research. In the longer term,
MANUNET plans for yearly calls with increasing
SME impact, and for closer collaboration with EU
initiatives such as the Manufuture European Tech-
nology Platform (ETP). The participation of
consortium members in other ERA-NETs will also
be exploited to foster wider communication links.
More information: www.manunet.net
MANUNET (Manufacturing)
ERA-NETe
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In this context, a one-day workshop held in Brussels on 14 November 2007 brought together representatives of the 19 Industrial Technologies ERA-NETs, to examine ways of improving communication and cooperation between themselves and with the Commission. The general consen-sus was that the scheme is already working well, but that there remains a need to work on the development of a common organisational framework for call preparation and implementation, selection of topics, evaluation proce-dures, impact assessment and funding models. Even greater collaboration with the European Technology Plat-forms was also felt to be necessary.
Furthermore, with Member States becoming involved in considerable numbers of ERA-NETs, there is a need to review the overall structure and direction of the scheme. Continuing proliferation of bottom-up initiatives address-ing many diverse topics in an uncoordinated way could prove counter-productive. Rather, it would be preferable to concentrate on those offering the greatest added value to
Europe as a whole – for example by reinforcing existing ERA-NETs in strategic priority areas, or expanding them to involve more of the new Members States.
Discussions concerning new initiatives have to take place within the wider context of the debate over the future of the ERA. As noted in the Expert Group Report on ‘Optimising Research Programmes and Priorities’, the next steps are primarily the responsibility of the Member States. The need exists to defi ne national strategies and to develop joint visions of the priorities for trans-national cooperation. The Commission Communication ‘Towards joint programming in research: working together to tackle common challenges more effectively’, published in July 2008, proposes the application of joint programming in a strategic manner to address major societal challenges. This will require optimal use of existing instruments at all levels – not least the ERA-NET scheme. All of the options will be considered in the mid-term review of FP7, which will take place in 2009.
Micro- and nanotechnologies (MNT) are key to
some of the highest-growth global markets of
the 21st century. Th e US, China, Japan and Korea
are investing large sums of public money into
research programmes to help their industries
meet the challenge. Th e MNT ERA-NET aims to
reinforce Europe’s existing strengths by consoli-
dating some of its considerable national and
regional resources.
Europe has a strong research base in MNT areas such
as healthcare, information technologies, materials
science, manufacturing, instrumentation, energy,
security and space, but its funding is dispersed among
many national funding agencies. Th e goal of MNT is
to stimulate closer cooperation between these
disparate programmes, which share combined annual
public funding of more than €365 million.
Launched in January 2004 with a core group of eight
European funding programmes, the consortium has
expanded to embrace 20 European countries and
regions. Its fi rst coordinated call, organised in 2006,
generated 14 collaborative projects covering topics
such as powders, carbon nanotubes, polymers, com-
posites and microsystems.
Th is was followed by a second in 2007, spanning
19 countries/regions; it attracted 36 eligible proposals
with total budgeted costs of €35 million. Following
evaluation, 21 projects were selected for funding by
the respective national/regional bodies.
Submissions for a third call, conducted in collabora-
tion with MATERA, closed on 28 April 2008; selections
for funding will be announced later in the year.
More information: www.mnt-era.net/MNT
Funded project example
One successful project selected under the second call
is PULSECHROM (Pulsed electrodeposition of high
quality hard chromium coatings), which brings
together partners from Austria and Spain’s Basque
region in a €623 000 initiative to develop an innova-
tive process for the industrial electrodeposition of
hard chromium. Th is 27-month project involves a
combination of simulation and experimentation,
expected to lead to the cost-eff ective production of
highly uniform and crack-free chromium coatings of
higher quality than was previously possible on an
industrial scale.
MNT ERA-NET (Micro/nanotechnology)
ERA-NET
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Material sciences form one of the most important
areas of research and development in industrial-
ised countries, with impacts spreading across
manufacturing, energy, environment, health and
safety. Th e goal of MATERA is to create a durable
cooperation platform for national and regional
policy-makers and managers having strategic
activities in this hugely diverse fi eld.
Materials research has progressed from metallurgy
and metals science to looking at functional materi-
als, polymers and materials for extreme conditions
– much of which has a strong affi nity with the study
of nanomaterials. Th is rapid transition demands
the assembly of more knowledge and research skills
than can be fi elded by any one nation alone.
In order to build the required critical mass, MAT-
ERA brings together 19 partners from 16 countries.
Following 2006 and 2007 Joint Calls for materials
science and engineering projects, a third has been
undertaken in association with the micro/nanote-
chnology-oriented MNT ERA-NET (see above).
More information: www.matera.fi
Funded project example
As a result of the first MATERA call, the
FOULSURFACE (Fouling of surfaces: molecular level
interaction between a particle and a surface in liquid
based system) project was selected for funding by
Finland, Ireland and Norway. A four-member
consortium is addressing the problem of fouling in
heat exchangers, which wastes energy and increases
maintenance costs in many industrial processes.
Because many currently available cleaning and
anti-fouling chemicals are restricted in the EU, or
will be withdrawn due to tightening environmen-
tal, health and safety legislation, the aim is to
improve the understanding of fouling phenomena
and to develop new methods and products for their
prevention. Th e work entails laboratory screening
of a large number of surface coatings, molecular
modelling of their interactions with identifi ed fou-
lants and trials to compare the performance of new
coated parts with that of conventional components
in selected industrial applications.
MATERA (Materials science and engineering)
The great scientific promise, interdisciplinary
nature and huge market potential of nanotechno-
logy makes this a natural choice for ERA-NET
Plus funding under FP7. NANOSCI-E+ builds on
the solid foundation laid down by its predecessor
NANOSCI-ERA.
Launched in 2005, NanoSci-ERA was the first
multi- partner initiative to contribute to the coordi-
nation of national programmes in basic nanoscience
research. In 2006, it issued a fi rst transnational call
for proposals addressing ‘the generation of new
knowledge on the fabrication, study and control of
individual nano-objects’.
Th e goal of the ensuing ERA-NET Plus action was
to launch a second call, opened in January 2008
and now closed, targeting frontier research projects
that address the issue of interfacing functional
nano-objects or nano-materials. Following contract
signature, it is expected that a minimum of €16 mil-
lion, complemented by an additional €8 million
from the EU, will be distributed to support high-
quality projects.
Th e funds provided by each country will be pooled
in a joint call budget. Th is avoids the development
of any bias during the selection process. In addi-
tion, it allows the integration of a number of
smaller Member and Associate Countries as part-
ners, without requiring them to contribute to the
common pot.
Th is action is seen as a way to encourage research-
ers to think on a transnational scale. For many, it is
likely to be the fi rst time they have worked at a
Europe-wide level, motivating them to pursue more
ambitious goals, and providing them with the nec-
essary backing to enable new and exciting projects
to come to fruition.
More information: www.nanoscience-europe.org/
NANOSCI-E+
First callse
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■ Second FP7 calls on trackNew procedures put in place for the evaluation of calls for proposals under the Seventh Framework Programme are working well. The second round of NMP calls was again heavily subscribed, and is on schedule for funding allocation.
■ As in the fi rst series of FP7 calls for the ‘Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Tech-nologies’ Theme (see ‘European Industrial Research’ No. 8: http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/pdf/eir_magazine_8_en.pdf), the second round comprises LARGE, SMALL and SME Collaborative Projects (CP) plus Coordination and Support Actions (CSA).
There was also a joint call with Theme 6 – Environment – for CPs addressing nanotechnologies for water treatment, and another calling for international cooperation with India in small CPs covering computational materials science. In addi-tion, a fi rst-round joint call with Theme 5 – Energy – on materials for energy has completed its initial evaluation stage. Three ERA-NETs – respectively on nanomedicine, transnational cooperation for new innovative products in the forest-based value chain, and implementing micro- and nano-manufacturing techniques within Member States industry – together with one ERA-NET Plus on materials research, were assessed in September. Thee proposals passed the threshold.
High overall responseThe CP calls resulted in 900 responses by the 6 March dead-line. These were again evaluated in a two-stage process, the fi rst of which requires a short-form proposal document, sub-
mitted via the Electronic Proposal Submission Service (EPSS) and describing only the expected S&T excellence of the project and its envisaged economic, social and environ-mental impact.
The preliminary proposals were evaluated remotely by panels of experts working in their own locations, with the aid of the Commission’s RIvET software and teleconferencing to achieve consensus. Results were announced early in May.
For LARGE CPs (roughly equivalent to the Integrated Projects of FP6), an EC budget of €240 million is foreseen, spread over 13 topical areas. Of the 162 outline proposals received, only one was classed as ineligible. The remainder, which were distributed with reasonable uniformity over the topics, sought funding contributions totalling €1.12 billion.
On completion of the deliberations, 63 were retained for progress through to the second stage, at which the con-sortia are required to present much more comprehensive descriptions of their plans and objectives, backed by detailed tables showing budget, work packages, mile-stones, lists of deliverables, etc., as well as an explanation of the plans for implementation. The closing date for Stage 2 proposals was 23 September (allowing fi nal selection of projects for contract negotiation by the end of the year). The budget ceiling means that around 30 projects are likely to succeed in their bid for funding.
LARGE (stage 1)Activity Proposals GO proposals Pass rate
Pilot lines 23 8 35%Nano risk 3 2 67%Semiconductors 16 3 19%Hybrid materials 22 8 36%Process intensifi cation 7 3 43%Rapid design 4 3 75%Construction 10 5 50%Health 29 10 34%Liquid fuels 6 3 50%Nano applications 10 5 50%Lasers 17 7 41%Minerals 7 4 57%Bioproduction 7 2 29%Totals 161 63 39%
The SMALL CP category produced 618 proposals covering 12 topics. These were processed over the same timeframe as their LARGE counterparts, and are competing for an indicative budget of €150 million. One was ineligible, while another was transferred to the SME call.
Total requested funding for the 616 proposals submitted to Stage 1 assessment was approximately €1.8 billion. Of these, 26% were coordinated by industrial companies, 40% by universities and 23% by research institutes.
SMALL (stage 1)Activity Proposals GO proposals Pass rate
Converging technologies 137 24 18%Nano combustion 5 2 40%Nano health 54 14 26%Nano-membranes 21 6 29%Nano-materials 78 19 24%Meta-materials 53 10 19%Implants 37 9 24%Films/tapes 17 6 38%Graded materials 58 9 24%Interface modeling 56 15 27%Self-learning 66 16 24%Supply chain 35 13 37%Totals 617 143 23%
Here, the interest per topic was much more uneven. Converg-ing sciences, nano-materials, self-learning systems, graded materials, interface modelling, nanoparticle health impact and meta-materials were less focused and over-subscribed – while nano-combustion was the least represented.
After evaluation, the list was reduced to 143 candidates, seeking support amounting to some €440 million. The available Community resources will enable around one third of these to be funded, based on the results of the Stage 2 competition.
Five topics seen as particularly relevant to smaller enter-prises made up the CP-SME list. The 121 received proposals, including that transferred from the SMALL CP submissions, sought €387 million of EU funding. Thirty-nine of these, together calling for €131 million, met the requirements for advancement to Stage 2. Half are eventually likely to be supportable within the €65 million budget.
The success rate at Stage 1 confi rms that the SME-dedicat-ed instrument continues to attract a substantial number of good-quality proposals. The fact that no project was ineli-gible refl ects well on the clarity of information provided for this call.
CP-SME (stage 1)Activity Proposals GO proposals Pass rate
Global market 29 7 24%Micro manufacturing 25 10 40%Consumer centred 18 6 33%Smart materials 26 6 23%Protective equipment 23 10 43%Totals 121 39 32%
Eight topics made up the CSA call – which, with an indicative budget of €15 million, generated 52 proposals. Interest focused predominently on ‘World regions’ and ‘Nano out-reach’. The majority of coordinators (42%) were from the
academic community, while the remainder were evenly divided: 28% industrial and 28% research. Total requested funding amounted to €58 million. Following the one-stage evaluation, 23 proposals were above the required thresh-old, while around 15 can be funded.
CSA call (single stage)Activity Proposals GO proposals Pass rate
Nano outreach 14 8 57%Nano-biotechnology 2 1 50%IPR 5 3 60%World regions 23 6 26%IMS 4 1 25%Presidency events 2 2 100%NCPs 1 1 100%Emerging needs 2 1 50%Totals 53 23 44%
International and joint/coordinated callsThe NMP EU/India coordinated call, which closed on 24 April, drew 24 proposals: 71% coordinated by aca-demic bodies, 17% by research institutes and 12% by industry. Only one coordinating organisation was Indian.
The coordinated call with India on the topic of computa-tional materials has an indicative budget of €10 million of which €5 million came from the EU (for the EU call) and €5 million from the Department of Science and Tech-nology (DST) in India. Of the 24 proposals received in response to this call, 21 were eligible to be evaluated and six achieved a mark above the threshold. On the basis of the requested EU funding, it is estimated that fi ve of the above-threshold proposals could be fi nanced from the indicative budget. Retention under this call depends upon inclusion of a provision for coordination with a comple-mentary Indian project also selected for funding by the Indian DST.
The NMP/Environment joint call had an earlier closure date of 25 February, and was assessed in a single-stage evaluation procedure. From 34 eligible proposals, 16 ranked above the required threshold and it is expected that up to 6 can be funded from the €10 million available budget.
Running in parallel with this, the €25 million NMP/Energy joint call identifi ed 33 of 131 submitted proposals for fur-ther consideration and evaluation at Stage 2. Almost half of these, 16, achieved marks above the required threshold.
Second calls
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■ An ageing population and the associated increase in diseases like cancer and disorders of the cardiovascular, autoimmune and central nervous systems provide signifi cant demand for new biopharmaceuticals. With oncology as the focal point for many biotechnological projects, the use of monoclonal antibodies to target specifi c cells is an area of particular interest.
However, the emerging drugs also pose a challenge for the global healthcare system, since their production is expensive and capacities are limited. Recent developments in the production of cell supernatants shifted the bottleneck towards the purifi cation part of the process. Effective technologies are needed to provide fast, cost-effective and sustainable design of downstream processes for new biopharmaceuticals.
In order to establish suitable procedures, the Integrated Project AIMs combined multidisciplinary expertise from 24 scientifi c and industrial particiants representing 12 European countries, coordinated by the University of Dortmund, Germany.
The partners have produced new chromatographic beads with tuneable properties and enhanced mechanical stability, plus affi nity membranes with open pore structures of signifi cantly enhanced capacity. As well as predicting the interaction between support, ligand, and product for different types of system, they also derived new computer models permitting detailed investigation of the chromatographic, membrane separation and extraction processes.
By the close of the 54-month term, they will complete the development a continuous chromatographic unit for the purification of monoclonal antibodies with ion-exchange materials, together with a multi-stage aqueous two-phase extraction unit for the purifi cation of monoclonal antibodies.
■ In CellPROM – Cell programming by nanoscaled devices – fully integrated high-throughput cell differentiation machines based on two different concepts were developed and tested. Both were shown to be effi cient in differentiating cells of various origins.
Under the coordination of the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, 27 academic and industrial partners from twelve countries collaborated in the €26 million initiative. The resultant systems are based on the highly-parallel differentiation of stem cells, either through signal factors in the cultivation medium, or via complex biomolecules immobilised on the surfaces of miniaturised carriers and nanobeads.
Although cell-cell surface communication plays a decisive part in tissue during embryo genesis and wound healing, a major breakthrough was to recognise it as a route to in-vitro cultivation. Through the new methods, a multitude of natural differentiation and signal factors is coupled to the surfaces in gradients and patterns, as on natural surfaces. Thus, cell differentiation pathways can directly be addressed. Stem cells were converted, for example, into beating heart muscle cells through surface signals and not through the surrounding medium as was previous common practice.
The two prototypes pave the way for a new generation of differentiation machines for the research sector and, eventually, for industrial application.
Faster route to crucial new pharmaceuticalsThe Integrated Project AIMs points the way to improved production technologies for monoclonal antibodies, which could form the basis of new pharmaceuticals to treat diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.
More information: www.aims-eu.de
Nanotech solution for stem cell differentiationThe Integrated Project CellPROM greatly exceeded its initial goals by successfully developing a new generation of machines for automated stem cell differentiation as the basis for future research and industrial applications.
More information: www.cellprom.net
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Industrial Roundup
SEM image of an affi nity membrane with open
pore structure.© Sartorious AG ©
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■ With applications in areas such as electronics, mobile appliances, diagnostics and high performance composites, the global market for carbon nanotubes (CNT) and related products is forecast to grow at a rate of more than 80%/year, exceeding €1.2 billion by 2012.
In DESYGN-IT, a consortium comprising four industrial partners and 10 research institutes headed by Trinity College, Dublin, demonstrated successful manufacture of reproducible CNTs using a clean process that promises to reduce production costs.
The work points the way to affordable arrays and nanowires for electronic devices, novel bio-sensors and high strength materials. Other outcomes include nanotools for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), as well as equipment for programmed self-assembly. It has also made a major contribution to fundamental understanding of the synthesis, processing and properties of nanotubes, nanowires and arrays.
Completed in January 2008, the 40 month project has already given rise to two spin-off companies and seven patents, with more in the pipeline. Commercial negotiations are in hand with a company outside the consortium itself to implement the technology in a new product.
■ Now in its fourth and fi nal year, the €18 million ECOTARGET project has explored a large number of paper-making process ideas, with the common objective of improving effi ciency by reducing energy consumption, raw materials input, water usage or waste and emissions by up to 30%.
Coordinated by STFI-Packforsk, Sweden, it brings together 26 partners from nine European countries, in a study that covers the whole production chain from pulp, through recycling, to fi nished paper. After an initial evaluation stage, the effort has focused on the most promising avenues, with particular regard to industrial relevance and future environmental policy directions.
A signifi cant fi nding has been that one of the most effi cient ways of achieving all-round savings is to implement stratifi ed forming combined with process steps such as fractionation and enzymatic treatment. As a result, a given surface area is created using less fi bre deposited in a more controlled way.
Compared with state-of-the-art techniques, this has been demonstrated to deliver savings of up 6% in material and 16% in energy. As an added benefi t, such results are obtained using a paper machine with a less complicated and costly forming section layout.
Nanotube process expands application potentialThe DESYGN-IT project has achieved several important advances in the design and production of carbon nanotubes, which will boost Europe’s competitiveness in the fast-growing market for advanced materials and devices.
More information: www.tcd.ie/Physics/desygnit
Advanced paper processing saves materials and energyNow nearing completion, the ECOTARGET Integrated Project is developing and testing innovative, environment-friendly processes that promise to bring radical change to Europe’s pulp and paper industry.
More information: www.ecotarget.com
Industrial Roundup
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Flexible monolith single icon image device with carbon nanotube counter-electrode.
Paper produced using state-of-the-art technology (left), with all fi bres are
mixed in one layer. The photo on the right illustrates the new technology, stratifi ed forming, where blue fi bres
are placed on the outer layers and red fi bres in the inner layer.
As the Seventh Framework Programme gathers momentum, many of the projects launched under FP6 have completed their research or are close to reaching their conclusion. The following pages offer brief snapshot descriptions of some notable successes from the NMP portfolio.
■ With 36 partners from 10 countries, KMM forms a coherent pan-European structure of key academic and research institutions, SMEs and large industry partners studying advanced materials for use in highly demanding conditions of loading and environment. The consortium focuses on materials providing superior mechanical properties, while also fulfi lling criteria such as low density; excellent performance in high-temperature regimes; enhanced fracture toughness and fatigue lifetime; and superior resistance to wear, corrosion and oxidation. These include intermetallics, metal-ceramic composites, functionally graded materials and thin layers. Typical applications will be in the aerospace, automotive and turbo-machinery industries; tribology; electronic devices; biological implants; micro-sensors, etc.
The formation of a virtual institute (KMM-VIN) ensures that the work will continue beyond the EU-funded period. With activities in the form of product certifi cation, laboratory accreditation and an integrated post-graduate school, it will be supported by an annual membership fee and income from events. Further development is envisaged in a business plan that foresees fi nancial advantage from in-kind contributions and the combination of effort previously distributed over various partners. Testing, analysis and consultancy services to third parties are expected to be major sources of income.
■ Over millions of years, nature has evolved fi brous materials such as wool, silk, leather and feather, with unique physical and chemical structures giving rise to remarkable combinations of surface and bulk properties. The HIPERMAX project team, coordinated by DWI an der RWTH, Germany, sought to build on these matrices through bioprocess engineering, introducing innovative enzymatic technologies to modify and improve the established materials with a view to their exploitation in various industrial sectors.
The project covered fi ve main areas:• analysis and defi nition of the accessibility of target groups in the natural proteins e.g. amino, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl,
carboxyl or carboxamide groups;• screening for novel enzymes to catalyse the modifi cation of surface and bulk properties of the protein matrices,
followed by production of those enzymes at pilot scale;• mechanistic investigations of the enzymatic reactions on modelled and real substrates;• exploitation of novel enzymes for surface and bulk modifi cation of the protein matrices in order to develop engineered
materials.
In particular, new applications developed for poultry feather were shown to offer opportunities for its commercial use as a valuable fi bre and protein stream. Processing technologies using mixed feather pulps permitted the manufacture of novel packaging materials such as egg cartons and plant pots that were of comparable quality, if not better, than commercial products. Feather fi bre can thus now be regarded as a novel sustainable material, rather than as a waste by-product destined for landfi ll or burning, with all of the associated environmental impact.
Bioprocessing improves on natural materialsThrough millennia of evolution, nature has produced some remarkable materials; the HIPERMAX project developed novel bioengineering processes to adapt their properties for new industrial applications.
Secure future for multicomponent materials researchKMM, an FP6 Network of Excellence, has created a European virtual institute for the study of knowledge-based multicomponent materials.
More information: www.kmm-noe.org
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Metal-Ceramic Interpenetrating Networks: Al2O3 preform and pressure infi ltrated Cu
(KMM-NoE: TU Darmstadt, Germany).
Wool fi bre with grafted gliadin via TGase catalysis.
Industrial Roundup
■ Based on large-scale assembly of nanoscopic and microscopic elements in unprecedented combinations, the properties of metamaterials are acti-vated by specifi c interactions with electromagnetic fi elds or as a result of external electrical stimulation. The ability to engineer properties in ways not possible with naturally-occurring materials will make it feasible to control microwaves, millimetre waves and optical light in revolutionary ways. These frequency ranges present enormous potential for ultra-high-band communications, CCD-imaging and sensing for biomedical applications, environmental monitoring, and food quality control.
In METAMORPHOSE, a 24-member consortium headed by Helsinki University of Technology, Finland, is leading European research cooperation in this multidisciplinary fi eld of study, embracing material physics, electromagnetics, optics, radio engineering and electronics. The network has developed novel ways to design, fabricate and analyse metamaterials for integration into the various technological contexts.
Although the funded period closed at the end of May 2008, the collaboration continues in a virtual institute (Metamorphose VI). This amalgamates the experience of researchers involved in the photonic and microwave fi elds, and ensures continuing interaction between workers in the fundamental and device-oriented aspects. In addition, it is providing training, including joint PhD courses and programmes for students and industrial partners, as well as offering advice and commercial services to industries, producers, distributors, potential users and service suppliers.
■ Underpinned by IPR from two previous EC projects (PTM&GMR and NANOPTT), NANOTEMPLATES has made substantial progress in manufacturing templates for the synthesis of nano- objects presenting properties suitable for exploitation in a wide range of industrial and bio-applications.
The eight-member consortium, coordinated by the Catholic University of Leuven (UCL), Belgium, has developed and fabri-cated nanoporous templates by employing technology based on heavy ion bombardment and track etching of polymer fi lms or layers deposited on substrates such as wafers, glass and metal. New types of template have been produced, suitable for the controlled production of a variety of metallic, multilayered and polymeric objects.
An innovative tool derived from atomic force microscopy makes it possible to fabricate nanotemplates with pores just a few nanometres in diameter, which are versatile enough for making nanojunctions or to connect a single nano-object, giving access to the physics of spin polarised transport in ultra-small devices
Investigated applications include nanoelectronics, light-emitting diodes and bio-sensors. A suite of microfl uidic devices which could use such nanoparticles has been developed for mRNA purifi cation and reverse transcription of mRNA to cDNA. Their use following a current protocol for the detection of chronic myeloid leukaemia cuts the assay time to one third.
Today, a young start-up, it4ip sa, (http://www.it4ip.be) exploits developments related to track etching technology; this company manufactures unique porous templates and membranes for applications in the health-care, energy, electronics, telecom and transports sectors.
Metamaterials show ‘super-natural’ propertiesThe METAMORPHOSE Network of Excellence is developing new artifi cial ‘metamaterials’, with electromagnetic characteristics that cannot be found in natural materials.
More information: www.metamorphose-eu.org
Nano-manufacturing moves aheadThe NANOTEMPLATES project is paving the way for templated production of nano-objects bringing high added value to industry and healthcare as a result of their unique optical, magnetic and chemical properties.
More information: www.ligbank.com
Industrial Roundup
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Pictures of the surface of porous membranes (scanning electron
microscope) fabricated by heavy ion bombardment and track
etching of a polymer fi lm; pore sizes are respectively 7 microns
(left) and 40 nanometers (right).
■ Rapid verifi cation of packaging integrity and the absence of undesirable foreign bodies is a key aspect of quality control for industries such as foods and pharmaceuticals. In MODULINSPEX, a six-member consortium led by the Danish company InnospeXion has successfully demonstrated high-speed x-ray detection using low-energy radiation to examine such goods on the production line.
The concept is based on novel detection technology, initially developed in the earlier DASPTOOL INITIATIVE, which provides very detailed images at a high contrast and speed, despite the low energy input. In addition, it reduces the requirement for safety shielding, leading to lower system weight, more compact design and easy interfacing to existing lines.
Three demonstrators were completed within the three-year project period: a small unit for pick-and-place inspection, a conveyor-based version (MCIS) and a further conveyor-tube model. A derivative for electronics inspection is also being assessed at a Greek manufacturer of military equipment.
With the MCIS, a detection limit of 0.1 mm is possible at line speeds of up to 30 m/min making it possible to identify particles such as metals, glass, small stones, bone fragments, etc. A fl exible modular design allows detection and image assessment to be linked to sorting and manipulation systems triggered by pulses or other control parameters. In November 2007, it was awarded a prize for the most innovative product at the Scandinavian Food-PharmaTech exhibition.
■ Mechanical components such as the hydraulic cylinders used in fl uid-power-based machines are submitted to cyclic loads, especially in terms of internal pressure. As a result, cracks may initiate at high-ly stressed locations and propagate until the cylinder wall is completely cracked, allowing the oil contained inside to leak. Yet, to remain competitive, manufacturers must offer long warranty periods, prolong equipment lifetimes and ensure safe operation under highly demanding conditions.
The objective of PROHIPP, coordinated by Spanish component sup-plier Pedro Roquet SA, was to obtain load spectra for earthmovers, agricultural equipment and other machine applications, in order to specify the design requirements for cylinders and to defi ne an equivalent load profi le for laboratory load tests.
From experimental data obtained using a new DBC (design by categories) method, data have been evaluated on measured variables such as cylinder chamber pressure, total travel of the rods (km), average oil fl ow and temperature. The results are collated in a hydraulic cylinder category codifi cation and a collection of design specifi cations relating to key operating parameters.
This new knowledge is embedded in simple software intended to help SME’s improve cylinder design and analysis proce-dures.The project has also achieved signifi cant breakthroughs in materials and manufacturing methods. New materials include special cast iron for thin-walled cylinders, as wll as profi les and compounds for sealing systems. Process advances range from high-smoothness plateau-honing, to high pressure jet-assisted turning, improved oxinitrocarburizing, and opti-mised welding techniques for specifi c critical areas of the cylinders.
Low-energy x-ray innovation wins awardA low-energy x-ray inspection system developed within the MODULINSPEX project allows rapid and safe factory-line examination of products from pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs to electronic devices.
More information: www.innospexion.dk/modulinspex/modulinx.php
New design and manufacturing processes for high pressure fl uid power The aim of PROHIPP (IP) project is to develop, validate and disseminate new knowledge-based and probabilistic life cycle design methods and manufacturing processes leading to a new generation of high pressure fl uid power components for multidisciplinary applications.
More information: www.prohipp.com
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■ Multibeam nano-patterning tools under development in the CHARPAN project, coordinated by Ionen Mikrofabrikations Systeme GmbH, Austria, generate many thousands of ion beams with nanoscale dimensions. In the short term, these will be used primarily for 2D and 3D template fabrication, device prototype manufacturing and nanotechnology research.
The innovative heart of the system is a charged-particle optical column incorporating a programmable aperture plate to structure the beam, and projection optics with 200x reduction to focus the multitude of high intensity particle streams in parallel onto substrates such as silicon, metals, ceramics, glass and polymers – eventually expected to achieve a reso-lution better than 10 nm.
The beams remove surface material by sputtering at productivity rates up to three orders of magnitude higher than is possible with existing single focused ion beam equipment. In addition, the technology can be used in other patterning processes – e,g, beam-assisted etching, deposition, polishing, high resolution ion implantation and ion beam mixing – which are regarded as fundamental to a large number of emerging industrial applications.
Multibeam system speeds nano-device productionFabrication of complex 2D and 3D surface structures is necessary to permit the production of nanoscale devices with applications in areas such as optics and biomedical devices. By developing nano-patterning tools based on charged-particle multibeams, the Integrated Project CHARPAN will make the process faster, more effi cient and capable of higher resolution.
More information: www.charpan.com
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Representatives of the Manufuture Euro-pean Technology Platform recently pre-sented a new manifesto to EC President José Manuel Barroso. The document high-lights the importance of manufacturing industry to Europe, and underlines the need for action to secure a competitive and sustainable future.
EC president welcomes Manufuture manifesto
On 30 July 2008, a delegation from the Manufuture ETP met with EC President Barroso to introduce and discuss the Platform’s vision for the future as set out in its ‘Porto Manifesto’ document.
Present at the meeting were Heinrich Flegel, Member of the Daimler Supervisory Board and Director of Manufac-turing Technologies at Daimler Research Center, Carlos Costa, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank and Belmiro De Azevedo, President of SONAE Group, (acting respectively as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Manufuture High Level Group, and Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Group), together with Herbert von Bose, Director, Directorate G, DG Research.
The Manufuture representatives pointed out that manu-facturing, as the source of some 34 million EU jobs, is the backbone of European competitiveness. Their view was that the research and innovation requirements of this sector warrant more effective support systems, including public/private investment partnerships and a Joint Technology Initiative (JTI). One way ahead, they suggested, would be a Presidential initiative leading to
a joint report by industry and the Commission, identify-ing the problems arising in a globalised economy and recommending remedial actions.
President agrees importancePresident Barroso confi rmed his awareness of the impor-tance of manufacturing and the need to rethink its role. He mentioned measures such as the reinforcement of the internal market, strict application of competition rules, and increased investment in research. In particular, he agreed to consider the preparation of a Commission Communica-tion to the Council and Parliament, for issue in mid-2009.
A manufacturing JTI was also seen as a promising ave-nue, to be reviewed on the basis of experience with the initial schemes now underway. The role of industry in the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), and in innovation initiatives from the EIB and regional funds should also be considered, he concluded.
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EventsNanoGLOWA ‘Open session’ public workshop 28 October 2008. Precedes 12 Aachener Membrane Kolloquium, Aachen, Germany. More information: www.nanoglowa.com/Agenda.html
ManuFuture 2008 Conference: Implementing strategic priorities in European regions and SMEs8-9 December 2008, Saint Etienne, France. More information: www.manufuture.org/conferences.html
New literatureProceedings of the ‘Workshop on research on the safety of nanomaterials: reviewing the knowledge gaps’ Brussels, 17-18 April 2008The intention of this report is to share information exchanged at the meeting, and to attract the scientifi c support needed to ensure that nanotechnologies are developed and used in a safe and responsible way. It includes a list of the presentations, as well as the fi nal agenda and the list of participants. The document is available at: ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/nanotech-nology/docs/fi nal_report.pdf
Report on the Third International Dialogue on Responsible Research and Development of NanotechnologyThis report presents the conclusions of a meeting held in Brussels on 11-12 March 2008 to promote international cooperation in assuring good governance of nanotechnology research and deployment practices. Continuing the momentum of previous dialogues held in the USA (2004) and Japan (2006), the Brussels event attracted 97 participants representing 49 countries, as well as international organisations, multinational bodies, industries and universities. The document is available at: ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/nanotechnology/docs/report_3006.pdf
New brochure on Networks of Excellence in the Materials domain Materials are addressed by 14 Networks of Excellence supported under FP6, involving total EU fi nancing of €103 million and covering important thematic sub-areas. This brochure
describes their diverse experiences, and the impressive progress in durable integration already achieved in the most advanced cases. The document is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/pdf/noes-122007_en.pdf
Useful links FP7 NMP on CordisCordis provides all the information you need to participate in NMP. See http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/nanotechnology_en.html
NMP activity service on Cordis For more detailed information on NMP, including information about calls for proposals, see http://cordis.europa.eu/nmp/home.html
NMP, Theme 4 on Europa For information about FP7 Theme 4, Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials & new production technologies and other news about Industrial Technologies: http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/index_en.html
The nanotechnology homepage of the European CommissionThis portal presents information on nanotechnology-related activities and funding throughout the Commission. It also provides links to other organisa-tions active in nanotechnology. See http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology/
Enquiry service A service provided by the Europe Direct Contact Centre answers questions about any aspect of European research in general, and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular – including NMP. This replaces the former Help Desk e-mail service. Log on at: http://ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries
Industrial research briefi ng
Networks of Excellence
Key for the future of EU research
Success storiesin the Materials domain
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