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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Network of industry and academic professionals establishes an international Hub for sustainable micro- and nanotechnology
The two-and-a-half year European Union Funded project, NanoFabNet, draws to a close, the 15-strong consortium of European and US organisations have completed their mission to create an international Hub, which will serve as a central point of contact for industrial and academic professionals in the fields of micro- and nanotechnology. With the initial launch hosted within the world’s largest nanotechnology event – Nanotech 2022 – in the US, followed by an EU launch taking place at the joint NanoFabNet and SUSNANOFAB Joint Networking Event from 5-7 July in Braga, Portugal, the team has kick-started the Hub surrounded by some of the sector’s best, whilst evidencing the international values behind the Hub.
As we live in a world increasingly shaped by high-tech industries, our future depends on the steps being made by the researchers, scientists, and professionals working in this field- those who are developing the technologies of the future; whilst considering how can high-tech be developed safely, ethically and bring value to society. For well over a decade, nanotechnology has been one of the fastest-growing high-tech fields and a key enabling technology (KET) for European industries; its innovations have already helped to address several important societal needs, including the viability of renewable energies, medical treatments and early detection, creation of more sustainable consumer products, and even the increase of agricultural productivity. During these times of COVID-19, nanotechnology has been applied in developing better PPE in the fight to protect us against the virus, and thus thrusted nanotechnology forward into mainstream conversation. However, despite its widespread applications, the deployment, validation, standardisation, and acceptance of nanotechnologies is fragmented and challenging.
The NanoFabNet Hub, therefore, provides its members with access to the newest and most relevant documentation, infrastructures, skills trainings, and services, providing a centralised source of support for the industry as bold steps are quickly moving it forward. The Hub will act as a marketplace for all matters and concerns pertaining to sustainable micro- and nanofabrication and their successful incorporation into mainstream industries by bringing together governmental and academic laboratories with large industries and SMEs, and thereby offering a coordination space for past, current and future collaborative opportunities (incl. EU-funded projects and initiatives, as well as public-to-public partnerships (P2Ps) and public-private-partnerships (PPPs)).
The digital platform will provide members with access to a range of services, such as:
- Directory and document repository
- Job opportunities
- Funding opportunities
- Trainings and events
- Infrastructures and services
Project Coordinator and CEO of AcumenIST, Dr. Steffi Friedrichs, explains,
“The NanoFabNet Hub is an exciting but also essential development for the world-wide micro- and nanotechnology sector. Having seen the rate of development that has oc-curred through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that the community of stake-holders working in this field are given the appropriate support services and tools to en-sure the sector moves forward in a collaborative and transparent way. A current lack of such a centralised support network has been noticeable and it is our mission to fill this gap, providing value to our colleagues as they work at the forefront of high-tech devel-opments.”
Interested stakeholders are invited to find out more about the NanoFabNet Hub launch on our website: Launch of NanoFabNet Hub – NanoFabNet
NanoFabNet has been a project funded under Horizon 2020, which ran for 2.5 years and will close at the end of August 2022. The project has undertaken to research the requirements of the sector and respond by developing a package of services and support tools. The project culminates with the launch of the US and European hubs in June/July 2022. The NanoFabNet Hub will continue beyond the project timeframe as an independent organisation and digital platform.
About the Coordinator:
AcumenIST is a new consultancy initiative provided by experienced business leaders with a pronounced track record in both scientific research, development and innovation, as well as in public and regulatory affairs. AcumenIST combines strong professional skills in the stewardship of emerging technologies along their value chains with established track records in both entrepreneurship, business development and policy making; it supports both the private and the public sector through technology-specific expertise.
The NanoFabNet has been coordinated and developed by AcumenIST’s experts, benefiting from the latter’s experience in project management and in the provision of secretariat services to both technology-specific interest groups, as well as to international governmental organisations. AcumenIST’s track record and strong international network in the field of nanotechnologies and nanosafety will help to strengthen NanoFabNet’s visibility, and ultimately define its niche and USP within the community.
NanoFabNet Partners:
The NanoFabNet partners have been selected due to their high level of skills and expertise in the field of nanotechnology. These partners are located across Europe and the US and cover a range of nanotechnology subsector expertise:
- AcumenIST (Coordinator), Belgium
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany
- Institut Catholique d’Art et Metiers (ICAM), France
- BioNanoNet (BNN), Austria
- Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d’Essais (LNE), France
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC),
- Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, Germany
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Luxembourg
- Foundation of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Support (NANONET), Poland
- Center for Organic Electronics, University of Cologne (COPT), Germany
- Materia Nova, Belgium
- Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Italy
- NTNU NanoLab, Norway
- Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation (VT-ARC), USA
- Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
Contact:
Faith Blakemore, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum
faith.blakemore@steinbeis-europa.de
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