Innovation committee

The function of the TOP NANO 21 innovation committee is to develop visions and to stimulate innovation (top-down approach). It is made up of personalities from the worlds of science and industry; it is their task to come up with new perspectives for research as well as the development of technologies and applications.

Short presentation of each member of the innovation committee:

Prof. Dr. Reymond Clavel Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne	Prof. at EPFL, Institut de systèmes robotiques Focus: Manipulation and machining of small parts (Nano factory), Parallel kinematics
Prof. Dr. Nicolaas F. de Rooij Université de Neuchâtel Institut de Microtechnique	Prof. at the University of Neuchâtel and at EPFL Focus: Design, fabrication and application of Microsystems and Nanotools.
Dr. Markus Ehrat Zeptosens AG	Zeptosens AG, CEO Focus: detection of zepto-moles, micro/ nano-array technology
Dr. Christoph Gerber IBM Research Division Zurich Research Laboratory	IBM Research Division, Project leader Nanoscale Science Focus: Nanomechanics in chemical and biological sensors
Dr. Lukas Howald Nanosurf AG	Nanosurf AG, CEO, Co-founder of Nanosurf Focus: low cost instrumentation (Probe Microscopes)
Dr. Eric Kawashima Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute SA	Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Assistant Head, Discovery Research Focus: Drug Discovery; incl. Functional Genomics, High-Throughput screening
Prof. Dr. Beat Meier Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Laboratory for Physical Chemistry	Prof. at ETHZ, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry Focus: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and applications to noncrystalline solids
Dr. Jürg Meier Novartis International AG	Novartis AG, Executive Director of Novartis Venture Fund Focus: analysis of small amounts, Biotechnology, Supports entrepreneurship in the area Nanotechnology/Biotechnology
Prof. Dr. Andrea Pfeifer Nestec SA Centre de recherche Nestlé (CRN)	Nestlé, Director of the Nestlé Research Center Focus : Genomics, high throughput screens, receptor screens
Prof. Dr. Louis Schlapbach EMPA, Dübendorf	Director of EMPA Prof. at University of Fribourg, Solid State Physics Research Group Focus: surfaces of crystalline materials, carbon nanotubes
Prof. Dr. Nicholas D. Spencer Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich	Prof. at ETHZ, Dept. of Materials, Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology. Focus: Biomaterials, Tribology, Self-assembly. Current research projects include the surface functionalization of oxide materials for biomaterial and biosensor applications, lubrication in aqueous systems by means of proteins, and fundamental research into confined fluids.
Dr. Volker Gass Mecanex SA	Mecanex SA, Vice-President of the board of Directors Focus: High-precision manufacturing, miniaturization of biological Microsystems for life science research in space. Applications of tribology in industrial products.
Dr. David J. Tune	Ilford Imaging Switzerland GmbH, Dr. Tune was Director of technology & innovation. Focus: Coating of nanoporous ceramics and metal oxides
Dr. Maria Inès Velazco Firmenich SA	Firmenich SA: Vice President, Analysis & Perception Focus: Chemical, Physical and Sensory Analysis of Perfumes and Flavors chemicals. Interaction with surfaces.
Prof. Dr. Horst Vogel Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne	Prof. at EPFL, Laboratoire de chimie physique des polymères et membranes (LCPPM), Delegate for the new Life Science Initiative at EPFL Focus: Biophysics, bioanalytics, surface science.

June 2001