Call for global collaboration on nanotechnology

About 250 technologists and policy makers from around the globe met in Brussels, Belgium, at INC3, the third international nanotechnology conference on communication and cooperation, to discuss the latest developments in nanotechnology, the challenges and bottlenecks, and the economic and societal implications.

The need for collaboration involving industry, academia, society stakeholders, governments and financial institutions at worldwide level was presented in technology and economic presentations.

Already, nanotechnology-based products reflect the benefits at societal and individual levels that can be expected from future nanotechnology developments. New or better performing goods and services are emerging in electronics, health care, chemistry and materials sciences.

New production routes are being designed towards the target of zero waste and zero emissions. The presentations emphasised that the multi-disciplinary skills and tasks needed for further nanotechnology innovations exceed the resources and capabilities of any single company, nation or region.

Collaboration among government, industry and academia in a broad cross-section of fields is essential for the creation and development of nanotechnology-based business.

INC3 also addressed the economic and societal impact of nanotechnology. An economic boost is foreseen. The nanotechnology market is expected to exceed the current information technology and telecommunications market within seven years and holds great promises for emerging and developing economies.

The conference will show that several actions need to be taken in order to guarantee this economic boost.

New jobs with an increased demand for interdisciplinary skills will need to be created, sometimes challenging traditional education and training approaches. To cope with the risks and complexity of developing completely new nanotechnology-based products and to investigate the social impact of these developments, collaboration at a global scale will be necessary at all levels.