09-10-2012, 05:14 PM
Future Needs & Challenges for Materials and Nanotechnology Research
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Introduction
At the beginning of this year, Unit G3 “Materials” of Directorate G “Industrial manufacturing
research“ from DG RTD organised two internal workshops involving 36 experts from
different backgrounds and countries. Experts were invited to exchange their personal views
in a brainstorming session on future needs and challenges for European Research on Materials
and Nanotechnology.
The discussions led to the strategic conclusions and views presented in this paper. A
synthesis of the technical outcome of discussions held in the workshops has already been
distributed amongst the participants.
The aim of these workshops was to have a common understanding on major issues related to
future materials and nanotechnology research activities in order to prepare the new
Framework Programme (2002-2006).
Political background
Prior to the workshops, internal papers were distributed to launch the debate about the future
fields of priority in materials and nanotechnology. In addition, the following documents
constituted background information for the discussions.
The Treaty. The European Union has always recognised the strategic role of research
activities, being an integral part of the Treaty on European Union1.
The Lisbon Council of Research Ministers in March 2000 took an extremely important
decision by setting the following new and more ambitious strategic goal for the next
decade for the European Union: “To become the most competitive and dynamic,
knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with
more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.” "Research” is now recognised as a
future political priority, confirming that knowledge and technology are the driving forces
behind economic growth and competitiveness.
EU RTD: Facing the Challenges
Future research in materials will lead us to the main industrial challenge of sustainable
competitiveness.
”Sustainable competitiveness” appears to be a new wide concept of competitiveness
embracing all goals set by the Lisbon Council. It is based on qualitative growth,
bound to take into account concerns about environment, health, energy, employment,
prosperity, public acceptance, culture and human dignity.
The way towards sustainable competitiveness requires a system approach and an
overall integration of players, skills and activities, including research and innovative
funding schemes.
EU RTD: needs and opportunities
Increasing and coordinating RTD in Europe. The EU already holds a strong
position in emerging markets and should capitalise and increase this through high
quality research involving all players. Coherence and co-ordination is needed at
all levels (regional, national and European).
New RTD culture. Activities should also encourage curiosity and foster a new
RTD & training culture within the EU, capable of innovation in new materials and
able to enhance the integration between research on materials and industrial
applications. There is a need to develop a “challenge-oriented interdisciplinarity”.
New, appealing European careers that cross traditional scientific frontiers are
needed in order to ensure highly competitive and valuable human resources for the
future. A dual aim exists: to attract young Europeans to invest in scientific and
technical disciplines by providing them with a clear and confident vision for the
future, and secondly to create in Europe the most valuable and highest level
scientific amphitheatre that will attract and develop a world class brain bank.
Visionary research and the take-up of new ideas are strongly dependent and
have a considerable impact on high tech SMEs, including “start-ups”. Links to
technology opportunities and potential innovation initiatives with programmes at
national and at European level, are essential to encourage and maintain Europe’s
natural dynamism in the area.
[attachment=35849]
Introduction
At the beginning of this year, Unit G3 “Materials” of Directorate G “Industrial manufacturing
research“ from DG RTD organised two internal workshops involving 36 experts from
different backgrounds and countries. Experts were invited to exchange their personal views
in a brainstorming session on future needs and challenges for European Research on Materials
and Nanotechnology.
The discussions led to the strategic conclusions and views presented in this paper. A
synthesis of the technical outcome of discussions held in the workshops has already been
distributed amongst the participants.
The aim of these workshops was to have a common understanding on major issues related to
future materials and nanotechnology research activities in order to prepare the new
Framework Programme (2002-2006).
Political background
Prior to the workshops, internal papers were distributed to launch the debate about the future
fields of priority in materials and nanotechnology. In addition, the following documents
constituted background information for the discussions.
The Treaty. The European Union has always recognised the strategic role of research
activities, being an integral part of the Treaty on European Union1.
The Lisbon Council of Research Ministers in March 2000 took an extremely important
decision by setting the following new and more ambitious strategic goal for the next
decade for the European Union: “To become the most competitive and dynamic,
knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with
more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.” "Research” is now recognised as a
future political priority, confirming that knowledge and technology are the driving forces
behind economic growth and competitiveness.
EU RTD: Facing the Challenges
Future research in materials will lead us to the main industrial challenge of sustainable
competitiveness.
”Sustainable competitiveness” appears to be a new wide concept of competitiveness
embracing all goals set by the Lisbon Council. It is based on qualitative growth,
bound to take into account concerns about environment, health, energy, employment,
prosperity, public acceptance, culture and human dignity.
The way towards sustainable competitiveness requires a system approach and an
overall integration of players, skills and activities, including research and innovative
funding schemes.
EU RTD: needs and opportunities
Increasing and coordinating RTD in Europe. The EU already holds a strong
position in emerging markets and should capitalise and increase this through high
quality research involving all players. Coherence and co-ordination is needed at
all levels (regional, national and European).
New RTD culture. Activities should also encourage curiosity and foster a new
RTD & training culture within the EU, capable of innovation in new materials and
able to enhance the integration between research on materials and industrial
applications. There is a need to develop a “challenge-oriented interdisciplinarity”.
New, appealing European careers that cross traditional scientific frontiers are
needed in order to ensure highly competitive and valuable human resources for the
future. A dual aim exists: to attract young Europeans to invest in scientific and
technical disciplines by providing them with a clear and confident vision for the
future, and secondly to create in Europe the most valuable and highest level
scientific amphitheatre that will attract and develop a world class brain bank.
Visionary research and the take-up of new ideas are strongly dependent and
have a considerable impact on high tech SMEs, including “start-ups”. Links to
technology opportunities and potential innovation initiatives with programmes at
national and at European level, are essential to encourage and maintain Europe’s
natural dynamism in the area.