by Franz Pichler

On 4 and 5 November 2004, the European Council, consisting of heads of government of EU member states (MS), discussed a report by ex-Prime Minister Wim Kok on progress toward achieving the Lisbon Agenda. In March 2000, European leaders committed the EU to become “the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, and respect for the environment” by 2010. The report of a high-level working group under the chairmanship of Wim Kok criticizes the limited achievements by member states and asks for more focus. Urgent action across five areas of policy is needed, including the creation of a knowledge society (increasing Europe’s attractiveness to researchers and scientists, making R&D a top priority and promoting the use of ICT), the completion of the “Internal Market” for free movement of goods, the creation of a better business climate (e.g., reducing the total administrative burden for start-ups), the ”Labor Market” (e.g., developing strategies for lifelong learning and active aging) and environmental sustainability through spreading eco-innovations and building leadership in eco-industry.

by Bernhard Voller

It is my great pleasure to present the last report of my term as head of the Greater Washington, D.C. chapter of the Austrian Scientists and Scholars in North America (ASciNA) network. ASciNA was founded in June 2002 during a conference at the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C., which was hosted by the Office of Science and Technology (OST). It is worth mentioning that Austrian researchers working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest biomedical research facility, played an instrumental role in the inception of ASciNA. Without their pioneering spirit and teamwork this organization would not have come into existence.

bridges vol. 4, December 2004 / News from the Network

by Jutta Kern

Popular Science, a magazine reaching some eight million readers, recently named Claire Gmachl as one of the “Brilliant 10.” This recognition goes out to young researchers whose work promises exceptional research results that will change our lives. Gmachl, associate professor of Electrical Engineering at Princeton University in New Jersey since 2003, was specifically recognized for her work on quantum-cascade lasers, devices that she developed during her work with Bell Labs beginning in 1996.

Being just about two millimeters in length and less than one-tenth the thickness of a human hair, these devices can be utilized for environmental, medical or security applications. Whether detecting traces of explosives at airports, measuring toxic emissions or allowing patients to take their medical respiratory masks home with them, Gmachl’s quantum-cascade lasers clearly prove that her focus as a university professor is on “inventing things that help make life easier.”

bridges vol. 4, December 2004 / People in the Spotlight

by Eleonora Windisch

Janez Potocnik