| The Austrian NANO Initiative - Small Country with Strong Expertise |
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bridges vol. 14, July 2007 / Nanotechnology Focus by Margit Haas  Nanosciences and nanotechnologies are regarded as being among the key technologies of the 21st century. They constitute a new field for science, research, and development with an enormous potential for technological progress, the development of new markets and an increase in turnover in all nano-related business areas.Their importance can also be gauged by the increasing research expenditures worldwide: In 1998 governments all over the world spent around $600 million on research and development in nanotechnologies; in 2002, this expenditure totalled $2.1 billion; and in 2006 investments of nearly $6 billion were expected. European spending is similar to that of the US and Japan in this context (TA-SWISS 20061). In order to promote nanosciences and nanotechnologies in Austria specifically, the Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development (RFT), cognizant of the international development, recommended setting up an Austrian NANO Initiative as early as 2002. In 2004, this initiative was established as a multi-annual funding program - aiming at increased networking, creating critical masses, making nanosciences and nanotechnologies utilizable for the economy and for society, and providing an adequate number of qualified technical staff. Nanosciences and nanotechnologies are generic, covering many different scientific disciplines and fields of research. The Austrian NANO Initiative capitalizes on this variety as one of the strengths of their program, and by intensive networking of science and industry enables the development of highly innovative state-of-the-art products with new physical or chemical properties. Access to the full article is free, but requires you to register. Registration is simple and quick – all we need is your name and a valid e-mail address. We appreciate your interest in bridges. |
