The first research projects for the Tekes FinNano Technology Programme have been chosen. 15 research projects receive a total of 12 million euros over the next three years. The research groups that were selected have established international connections and work in close collaboration with the industry.

"In the selection of the research projects, we emphasized the utilization potential of the research results. The projects that receive funding are joined efforts by several research groups and companies. The projects create new information and strengthen the Finnish know-how. We hope that these choices will promote the renewal of our industry", says Senior Advisor Markku Lämsä from Tekes.

The research projects focus on nanostructured materials and new solutions for nanoelectronics. The research groups have collaborators in over ten different countries.

Over 50 companies participate in the research projects. In addition, eight enterprise R&D projecs have already been launched during the first half of 2005. "This shows that Finnish companies are interested in Nanotechnology. Examples of applications under development are the utilization of nanostructured materials in coatings and in Printed Electronics, new solutions for Nanophtonics and Nanosale memory units", tells the FinNano Programme Manager Pekka Koponen from Spinverse Consulting.

Important industrial applications

Three materials development projects from VTT Processes were selected for the FinNano programme. All three projects are technologically interdisciplinary and conducted in collaboration with industry. Although the projects are still in the area of basic research, thought has already been given to applications.

"One project develops nanostructured powders for mass production. They can, for example,  be used to improve the hardness, toughness and wear-resistance of coatings. Another project studies electroactive composites and aims for medical applications. The composites can be used to develop artificial-muscle-like properties, for example", says Research Manager Jaakko Raukola from VTT.

"We have strong industrial participation in a project that concentrates on the development of liquid crystal nanocomposite structures. They can be used to improve the properties of plastics to match the hardness of metals. Liquid crystal composites are utilized for example by the Electronics and Automotive industries", continues Raukola.

The five-year FinNano Technology Programme, launched in January 2005, studies, exploits and commercializes nanoscale structures and phenomena. Companies can submit project proposals to the programme at any time. Research projects have application times. The total budget of the programme is 70 million euros.

Research projects that receive funding for 2005-2007
(project name, organisation, contact person)
Project descriptions are published in August 2005

Nanorakenteiset heijastamattomat ja likaantumattomat optiset pinnat
Joensuun yliopisto, Kuittinen Markku

Molecular scale memory elements
Jyväskylän yliopisto, Törmä Päivi

Development of novel fabrication methods for nanoscale photonics and microelectronics components
Oulun yliopisto, Jantunen Heli

Nanophotonics
Tampereen teknillinen yliopisto, Pessa Markus

Orgaanisen valokennon kehityshanke
Tampereen teknillinen yliopisto, Lemmetyinen Helge

Termoplastien kitka- ja kulumisominaisuuksien parantaminen nanoseosaineilla perustuen materiaalien murtumis- ja muodonmuutos-käyttäytymiseen
Tampereen teknillinen yliopisto, Vuorinen Jyrki

ALD-nanopinnotteiden uudet teolliset sovellukset
Teknillinen korkeakoulu, Airaksinen Veli-Matti

Katalyyttien nanorakenteiden hallinta
Teknillinen korkeakoulu, Krause Outi

Nanorakenteisten jauheiden kehitys ja käyttö pinnoitteissa sekä komponenteissa
Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, Tampere, Raukola Jaakko

Nanomateriaalit painettavalla elektroniikalla toteutettavissa etätunnistinratkaisuissa
Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, Espoo, Varpula Timo

Nanoscale Memory Unit - Nanomuisti
Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, Espoo, Suni Ilkka

Nanolla toimiva, laadukas puu- ja kuitumateriaali
Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, Espoo, Apilo Laura

Electroactive nanocomposite polymers and their actuator applications
Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, Tampere, Raukola Jaakko

Isotrooppinen nestekidenanokomposiitti
Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, Tampere, Raukola Jaakko

Tailored nanostabilizers for biocomponent interfaces
Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, Espoo, Buchert Johanna

Lisätietoja:

Senior Advisor Markku Lämsä
Tekes
Tel. +358 10 521 5793
markku.lamsa@tekes.fi

FinNano Programme Manager Pekka Koponen
Spinverse Consulting Oy
Tel. +358 40 545 0008
pekka.koponen@spinverse.com

Research Manager Jaakko Raukola
VTT Prosesses
Tel. +358 20 722 3568
jaakko.raukola@vtt.fi