It’s a mouthful but NMP stands for ‘Nanotechnology and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices’. This is the third thematic priority in the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) for research. Nanotechnology, for instance, is a new approach to research and development controlling the fundamental structure and behaviour of matter at the atomic and molecular level, according to the NMP website.

Applications for this are emerging in many areas, including healthcare, information technologies, materials sciences, manufacturing, instrumentation, energy, security or space. Nanotech has huge potential for improving our quality of life, as well as European industrial competitiveness and sustainable development. And it has been touted as a possible linchpin for the next Industrial Revolution.

With a view to improving governance and information exchange, the Commission regularly launches public ‘consultations’ on its official policy-making mechanisms to help shape future initiatives. For example, following up on the release of its communication (on 12 May last year) entitled ‘Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology’ – in which it proposes integrated and responsible approaches to developing nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N) in Europe – the Commission asked stakeholders to take part in an open consultation on this important subject.

Between August and October 2004, the EU-funded thematic network ‘Nanoforum’ hosted an on-line survey, in co-operation with the Commission, to find out what citizens thought about developments in N&N. Over 700 people, mainly from 32 European countries, filled out the questionnaire. Responses were recorded from the R&D community, but also from journalists, lecturers and the business community.

The survey canvassed opinion on the impact of N&N, the relative standing of Europe compared with other regions, funding and infrastructure issues, societal concerns, and health and safety aspects. Most people agreed that there should be an integrated and responsible approach to development in this field.

What Europeans think about N&N
The results confirmed that nanotechnology will have a strong impact on European industry (90% deeming this so) and its citizens (80%) within ten years. Europe is perceived to be well behind the USA in both nanoscience (76%) and the transfer of nanotechnology to industry (77%). Chemistry and materials, ICT and healthcare are perceived to be key areas in which nanotech will have most impact, the report reveals.

Respondents feel that there should be a significant increase in research funding via the Union’s Framework Programmes (79%), and that there is a lack of European infrastructure, with 64% supporting the creation of new facilities at European level. Many consider that Europe may face a shortage of skilled research personnel in N&N in the coming years, and that more interdisciplinary skill sets are needed.

Health, safety and environmental risks should be integrated early into research, according to 75% of the respondents. The same amount believes Europe should take into account the societal impact of nanotechnology earlier, and that more communication and dialogue is needed. The majority want more co-operation with developed countries in this field, and 76% want this extended to less developed countries, with 87% welcoming an international ‘code of good conduct’ for N&N.

In other news, the NMP research priority has a revamped web presence on the CORDIS server, as of December 2004, which gives an overview of nanotech-related activities across EU programmes, including information about projects, funding opportunities, and on the European Research Area and FP6.

NMP is also announcing that the acclaimed educational film Nanotechnology, produced in 2003 to help younger audiences understand this science, has been translated into 20 languages. In addition, the Commission will be hosting workshops on ‘nano-particles’ (25 and 26 January) and ‘nanotechnology and education’ (14 and 15 April) – the latter organised jointly by NMP staff and the Marie Curie team – to generate better awareness of this important scientific field.

Link http://europa.eu.int/comm/research