a european strategy for nanotechnology

RTD-G4-AH: Marburg 14th January 2005

A European strategy for A European strategy for NanotechnologyNanotechnology

Dr. Angela Hullmann

European CommissionDG Research, Directorate ‘Industrial Technologies’

Unit ‘Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies’

Conference on ‘Nanotechnology in Science, Economy, and Society’Marburg, Germany, 13th-15th January 2005


Why is nanotechnology Why is nanotechnology important ?important ?

1

10

100

1000

10000

2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

Year

Ma

rke

t V

olu

me

(€

bill

ion

)

Analysts estimate that the market for products based on nanotechnology could rise to hundreds of billion by 2010 and exceed one trillion after


Nanotechnology Nanotechnology ApplicationsApplications

Medicine and Health

InformationTechnology

Materials Science

Food, Water and the Environment

Instruments

Energy Production / Storage

GMR Hard Disk

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Lightweight and strong

Drug delivery

Tunneling microscopy

Remediation methods

Expected to impact upon virtually all technological sectors as an “enabling” or “key” technology


Where do we stand Where do we stand in Europe?in Europe?

Enjoys a strong position in terms of producing knowledge in nanotechnology (e.g. publications)

Weaker in transforming this knowledge into products and services (e.g. patents, start-ups)

Europe already has a commercial deficit for high-tech products of around €23 billion per year

Few “centres of excellence” on the scale of those being developed in other regions e.g. the USA

Lower level of private R&D funding from industry in comparison to e.g. the USA and Japan


Worldwide funding Worldwide funding of nanotechnology R&Dof nanotechnology R&D

Absolute public expenditure during 2003 (1€ = 1$)

Member and Associated States

800

USA States300

810

511

USA Federal770

EC350

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Europe Japan USA Others

Pu

bli

c ex

pen

dit

ure

( 1

€ =

1$

)

Source: European Commission (2003)


1. Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences

2. Knowledge-based Multifunctional

Materials

3. New Production Processes and Devices

Thematic priority 3: NMP

Total budget: € 1300 million

Nanotechnology in the Nanotechnology in the 6th Framework Programme6th Framework Programme


The economic objective of nanotechnology in the NMP priority is twofold:

• to promote the creation of an RTD-intensive European nanotechnology related industry

• and to promote the uptake of nanotechnologies in existing industrial sectors

The social objectives are not less important:

• to promote the development of nanotechnology products and processes that help to solve health, environmental, and security problems

• to ensure that nanotechnology research and products will not harm health and/or the environment and do not break ethical rules

Key objectivesKey objectives

RTD-G4-AH: Marburg 14th January 2005 COM(2004) 338COM(2004) 338

Nanotechnology:Nanotechnology:The European approach isThe European approach is

integrated and responsibleintegrated and responsible

Researchand

Development

Societal Issues

Infrastructure

HumanResources

IndustrialInnovation

InternationalCooperation

Health, safety, environmental and consumer

protection

Recent Communication by the European Commission: “Towards a European strategy for nanotechnology”

-> Nanotechnology R&D has to be embedded in a wider context and to follow a responsible approach


R&D: Building the R&D: Building the MomentumMomentum

European public investment in nanotechnology R&D should increase by a factor of 3 by 2010

Focus upon transforming our knowledge into wealth generating products and processes

Reinforce the next Framework Programme for added-value via critical mass, transnational collaboration and competition

Effective coordination of national programmes Bring public and private stakeholders together

to strengthen roadmap and foresighting activities


Promote conditions that encourage investment in nanotechnology R&D by industry

Investigate the prospects and conditions for the optimal industrial exploitation of nanotechnologies

Invites the European Investment Bank and other institutions to strengthen the capital base for R&D

Encourages closer cooperation between patent offices towards a more efficient patenting system

Invites Member States to review existing regulation and consider specificities of nanotechnology

Boost and coordinate actions in metrology, standards and norms

Industrial Innovation: Industrial Innovation: Knowledge to TechnologyKnowledge to Technology


Infrastructure: European Infrastructure: European “Poles of Excellence”“Poles of Excellence”

Europe needs a coherent system of infrastructure for R&D in nanotechnology

Measures needed to maximise the added-value of existing infrastructure, in particular, to help SMEs

Existing infrastructure should be examined and mapped to identify most urgent needs

Where needed, dedicated Europe nanotechnology infrastructure with critical mass should be built

All financing mechanisms should be explored e.g. European Investment Bank, Structural Funds, etc


Investing in Human Investing in Human ResourcesResources

Identification of educational needs of nanotechnology and best practices

Definition and implementation of new courses and curricula for nanotechnology

Integration of complementary skills into research training (e.g. entrepreneurship)

Exploration of dedicated Marie Curie calls for proposals in nanotechnology

Creation of a “European award in nanotechnology” to encourage young researchers


Societal aspectsSocietal aspects

Integration of societal aspects into nanotechnology R&D

Open and proactive approach to governance in nanotechnology R&D

A dialogue with EU citizens & consumers is encouraged to promote informed judgement

The Commission reaffirms its commitment to ethical principles

The responsible and transparent development of nanotechnology is essential for public confidence.


Nanotechnology in Nanotechnology in Science Fiction novelsScience Fiction novels


The ‘tragedy’ The ‘tragedy’ of public engagementof public engagement

Degree of

potential public

influence on

technological development

Degree of interest in and knowledge about the technology

Degree of maturity of a technology

Consequences:

Information and involvement of the public in an early stage of the

development of an emerging technology

is indispensable and policy has to be proactive

A real partnership between science, society and policy has to be established, in form of an open dialogue with open results


How to communicate How to communicate nanotechnology?nanotechnology?

Two projects are funded by the European Commission that aim at

communicating ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) of research in nanotechnology to the public.

One project bases on brochures, workshops and website tools, the other one on visualisation of nanotechnology in science museums and exhibitions.


ELSA of ELSA of nanotechnologynanotechnology

Nanologue: Questions that are addressed:

• Which aspects will be relevant in the future for public discussions about nanotechnology ?

• How can the public opinion be involved in future decision making in the field of nanotechnology ?

• How can scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs be sensitised for ELSA of nanotechnology?

• What are the hot topics for policy makers in general and for the European Research Policy in particular ?


Visualise Visualise nanotechnologynanotechnology

Nano Dialogue: Questions that are addressed:

• How can the interested but ignorant public be informed about nanotechnology research ?

• How can the science base of nanotechnology be visualised ?

• How can young people be approached and attracted to nanotechnology ?

• How can a dialogue about ELSA of nanotechnology be provoked ?


Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology: informative materialsinformative materials

Broschure: “Nanotechnology: Innovation for tomorrow’s world”

Film (for younger people): “Nanotechnology”

Film: “Nano: The next dimension”

The brochure and the films can be obtained from www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology/src/pressroom.htmwww.cordis.lu/nanotechnology/src/pressroom.htm


Public Health, Public Health, Safety, Environmental Safety, Environmental

and Consumer Protectionand Consumer Protection

A high level of public health, safety, environmental and consumer protection requires: Identification of safety concerns (both real and perceived) and action at the earliest stage

Toxicological and ecotoxicological data and evaluation of human/ environmental exposure

Adjustment, if necessary, of risk assessment procedures for issues of nanotechnology Integration of risk assessment at all stages of the life cycle of the technology


Risk assessment Risk assessment between benefits between benefits

and uncertainties and uncertainties The public acceptance an emerging technology depends on the perception of its (potential) risks in relation to its (potential) benefits. Both, risks and benefits, have to be made clear. Where uncertainties about potential dangers are occurring, research has to reduce these uncertainties. For the acceptance, it is irrelevant whether the risk perception is realistic or irrational.

medium benefits

high benefits

low benefits

No acceptance of any risks

‘Grey zone’

Acceptance of certain risks


Projects on Projects on risk assessment for risk assessment for

health and environmenthealth and environmentFunded in the 5th Framework Programme (FP5):

• NanosafeNanosafe: Risk assessment in production and use of nanoparticles with development of preventive measures and practice codes

• NanodermNanoderm: Skin as a barrier to ultra-fine particles• NanopathologiesNanopathologies: nano-particles

in biomaterial-induced pathologies

FP6 – Projects in negotiation:• Nanosafe II• Toxicological impact of nanoparticles on

human health and the environment

FP6 – Next call for proposals:• Interaction of engineered nanoparticles with

the environment and the living world


A Further Step: A Further Step: International Co-operationInternational Co-operation

Europe seeks international debate on issues such as public health, safety, environment, consumer protection, risk assessment, metrology, norms

Europe insists that access to knowledge must stay open to all countries of this world; Europe even funds research of third countries (not of the wealthy though)

Europe promotes the monitoring and sharing of information related to the scientific, technological, economical & social development of nanotechnology

Europe strives to define an international “code of conduct” for the responsible development of nanotechnology.


Council of the Council of the European UnionEuropean Union

Endorsement of Commission's Communication ‘Towards a European strategy for nanotechnology’, namely• to develop an integrated and responsible strategyThe Commission's intention was welcomed:• to draw up an Action Plan for nanotechnology (first quarter of 2005) after wide-ranging stakeholder debate • to engage in dialogue at international level to establish a framework of shared principles for the safe, sustainable, responsible and socially acceptable development and use of nanotechnology.


General information on Nanotechnology in Europe:

www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology

InformationInformation

For the European strategy for nanotechnology:

www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology/src/communication

For comments, questions or suggestions, please contact me:

[email protected]

a european strategy for nanotechnology

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