The CTI funds nanotechnologies and microsystem technology
Nanotechnologies are becoming an increasingly important factor in ensuring international competitiveness of numerous sectors of our economy. This is the case not only for the mechanical engineering and the apparatus and instruments industry but also for the textile industry, optics and photonics, medical technology, pharmaceuticals as well as renewable energies. With this in mind it makes sense for the CTI, as an innovation funding agency, to continue to support the successful activities of the technology oriented program (TOP) NANO 21 of the ETH Board and, for this purpose, to establish nanotechnology and microsystem technology funding (CTI Nano/Micro). The CTI, which was already responsible for the operational implementation of TOP NANO 21, will be able to exploit valuable synergies which arise from this.
Continuity in Nano/Micro project funding
At the beginning of the year CTI Nano/Micro began this work and will ensure a continuous implementation of TOP NANO 21 projects. On the one hand the funding activities follow the traditional CTI "bottom-up" approach, whereby the project partners define the projects themselves. On the other hand "top-down" activities (for example services, information platforms) support the implementation of applied R&D in selected market and industrial sectors. If possible the tried and tested TOP NANO 21 funding measures (Fig.1) will continue to be employed.
Fig. 1: Nanotechnologies and microsystem technology: funding processes
Integrating the universities of applied sciences
A "universities of applied sciences nanoplatform" has been created with the objective of intensifying the involvement of universities of applied sciences in nanotechnology research and development as well as the implementation of related findings. The main areas are teaching, i.e. training and development and the cooperation with universities and the ETH's.
Nanotechnologies - a subject for vocational schools
With the "nanotechnology training in vocational schools" project, the CTI has initiated something very special. First-class training is an important prerequisite for using nanotechnologies in companies. The project has three main thrusts:
- Making instructors and future specialist employees more aware
- Application of new methods and processes
- Application and handling of new instruments for the nano dimension
The universities of applied sciences nanoplatform and the nanotechnology training in vocational schools project fulfill the second TOP NANO 21 objective (Fig. 2), namely a holistic approach taking in all three levels of education (universities, universities of applied sciences and vocational schools).
Fig. 2: The four goals of the technology oriented program (TOP) NANO 21
An international perspective
Technology knows no geographical barriers: the markets for the application and use of nanotechnologies are global. In accordance with this philosophy TOP NANO 21 has helped scientists and start-up companies alike to present their expertise and products to an international audience as part of the joint efforts of seco (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs), the CTI and the ETH Board. The first steps this year has been initiated with the participation in the "nano tech 2003 + Future" conference and exhibition in Japan, the participation at "Nanotech 2003" in San Francisco and the support of the Swiss Nanotechnology Road Show II in the USA.
Successful annual meeting
The 2002 annual meeting, with its several hundred participants, was a milestone for the TOP NANO 21 activities. In the year 2003 TOP NANO 21 was at the international Nanofair 2003 at the Olma exhibition center in St. Gallen. Within the framework of the Nanofair, it co-organized the Nano Conference, which was taking place in Switzerland for the first time. The Nanofair 2003 is not only a showcase of Swiss-based research and industry but also an international platform for participants from leading nations in the field of nano-sciences and the application of nanotechnologies.
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