Latest news on nanotechnology and new materials in Norway

Speaker:

Dag Høvik Special Adviser/Program Manager, The Research Council of Norway

Nanoscience and nanotechnology (nanoST) have the potential to cause social changes on the scale of the first industrial revolution. A special feature of nanotechnology is its generic character; it can affect practically all areas of society, and is described in many contexts as "the next industrial revolution".

The goal of investment in nanoscience, nanotechnology, new materials and integration (NANOMAT "phase 2") is to strengthen basic expertise so as to lay the foundations for a new, knowledge-based and research-intensive industry and to undertake a sustainable renewal of established Norwegian industry.

The NANOMAT programme was established in 2002. In 2004-2005 a foresight study, titled “Advanced Materials Norway 2020: Our challenging future within nanotechnology and materials technology” was completed. In 2006 a national strategy on nanoscience and nanotechnology was made and delivered to the Norwegian Minister of Science and Education.

Based on these two major documents, the Work Programme for NANOMAT was revised, to cover the period 2007-2016. Energy and the environment, ICT including Microsystems, and new, functional and nanostructured materials are on top of our priority list. A special focus is also on ethical, legal and social aspects.

Another of NANOMAT’s prime targets is to stimulate international research collaboration between Norwegian and foreign R&D institutions and companies.

The presentation will give more details and future plans.