NanoData Landscape

Compilation

Information and Communication Technologies

Written by the Joint Institute for Innovation Policy, Brussels, Belgium, in co-operation with
CWTS, University of Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands; Frost & Sullivan Limited, London, United Kingdom;
Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Graz, Austria; the Nanotechnology Industries
Association, Brussels, Belgium; Oakdene Hollins Limited, Aylesbury, United Kingdom; Tecnalia
Research and Innovation, Bilbao, Spain; and TNO, The Hague, Netherlands
December 2015
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Directorate Industrial Technologies
Unit D.3 - Advanced Materials and Nanotechnologies
E-mail: RTD-PUBLICATIONS@ec.europa.eu
European Commission
B-1049 Brussels
 EUROPEAN COMMISSION

NanoData Landscape
Compilation
Information and Communication Technologies

Written by:
Jacqueline E M Allan
Harrie Buist
Adrian Chapman
Guillaume Flament
Christian Hartmann
Iain Jawad
Eelco Kuijpers
Hanna Kuittinen
Ed Noyons
Ankit Shukla
Annelieke van der Giessen
Alfredo Yegros

Additional contributions:

Ashfeen Aribea
Iker Barrondo Saez
Nia Bell
Unai Calvar Aranburu
Lia Federici
Robbert Fisher
Jos Leijten
Ingeborg Meier
Milica Misojcic
Freddie Ntow
Luca Remotti
Claire Stolwijk
Xabier Uriarte Olaeta

Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

2017 Key Enabling Technologies EN
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Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2017.

PDF ISBN 978-92-79-68383-1 doi: 10.2777/088881 KI-01-17-405-EN-N

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Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................10
1 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................14
2 INTRODUCTION TO ICT AND THE ROLE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY .................................15
2.1 Introduction to ICT ......................................................................................15
2.2 Role of nanotechnology in ICT .......................................................................21
3 EU POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT ...........................23
3.1 The EU Framework Programmes: supports for nanotechnology .........................23
3.2 The EU Framework Programme: funding and participation data for FP6 and FP7 ..27
3.3 Other EU policies and programmes ................................................................39
4 POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN MEMBER STATES FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT ...43
5 POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN OTHER COUNTRIES ................................................51
5.1 Europe .......................................................................................................51
5.2 The Americas ..............................................................................................52
5.3 Asia ...........................................................................................................57
5.4 Oceania......................................................................................................67
5.5 Africa .........................................................................................................68
6 PUBLICATIONS IN ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY ..............................................................70
6.1 Overview ....................................................................................................70
6.2 Activity by region and country.......................................................................72
6.3 Activity by organisation type .........................................................................74
7 PATENTING IN ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY ...................................................................76
7.1 Overview ....................................................................................................76
7.2 Number and evolution over time of ICT nanotechnology patent families .............76
7.3 Activity by filing country and region ...............................................................77
7.4 Activity by country of applicant .....................................................................78
7.5 Patenting activity by organisation type ...........................................................84
8 INDUSTRY AND NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR ICT ...........................................................89
8.1 Overview of the ICT industry ........................................................................89
8.2 Nanotechnology in the ICT industry ...............................................................92
9 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS FOR ICT THROUGH NANOTECHNOLOGY........................... 100
9.1 Introduction.............................................................................................. 100
9.2 Global markets and forecasts for ICT products using nanotechnology ............... 100
9.3 Commercialised products for ICT through nanotechnology .............................. 102
10 THE WIDER ENVIRONMENT FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT ................................. 131
10.1 Regulation and standards for nanotechnology ............................................... 131
10.2 Environment, health and safety and nanotechnology ..................................... 135
10.3 Communication, public attitudes and societal issues ...................................... 140
11 CONCLUDING SUMMARY ..................................................................................... 144

ANNEXES .................................................................................................................. 145

ANNEX 1: METHODOLOGIES FOR LANDSCAPE COMPILATION REPORTS ............................ 146

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

ANNEX 2: ICT KEYWORDS........................................................................................... 159

ANNEX 3: ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... 162
ANNEX 4: TERMINOLOGY ............................................................................................ 164
ANNEX 5: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON MEMBER STATE POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES ... 166
ANNEX 6: PRODUCTS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT ................................................. 182
ANNEX 7: HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY ....................................................................... 195

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Figures
FIGURE 3-1: FUNDING OF ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR FP6 AND FP7 TOGETHER, FOR FP7 AND FOR FP6 ........ 28
FIGURE 3-2: SHARES OF EC CONTRIBUTION BY ORGANISATION TYPE FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT .......... 32
FIGURE 3-3: PERCENTAGE SHARES OF FP FUNDING BY COUNTRY IN FP, NT AND ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY ........ 37
FIGURE 3-4: EC FUNDING FOR ICT NT ACTIVITIES IN FP6 AND FP7 IN MEUR AND COUNTRY SHARES ................ 38
FIGURE 6-1: ANNUAL NST ICT PUBLICATION OUTPUT, WORLDWIDE AND EU28&EFTA, 2000-2014 ................... 71
FIGURE 6-2: NST ICT PUBLICATIONS AS A PERCENTAGE OF NST WORLD TOTAL, 2000-2014 .............................. 71
FIGURE 6-3: NUMBER OF NST ICT PUBLICATIONS BY COUNTRY (TOP 9), 2014 ................................................... 72
FIGURE 6-4: NUMBER OF NST ICT PUBLICATIONS BY EU&EFTA COUNTRIES, 2014 ............................................. 73
FIGURE 7-1: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES BY FILING AUTHORITY (PCT, EPO, AND USPTO) ............................. 77
FIGURE 7-2: EVOLUTION OVER TIME OF WIPO (PCT), EPO AND USPTO ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY PATENTING ... 77
FIGURE 7-3: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES BY COUNTRY OF APPLICANT .......................................................... 80
FIGURE 7-4: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES BY COUNTRY OF APPLICANT EU28/EFTA ....................................... 80
FIGURE 7-5: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES BY COUNTRY OF APPLICANT FOR NON-EU28/EFTA ....................... 81
FIGURE 7-6: GRANTED PATENTS BY COUNTRY OF APPLICANT FOR EU28/EFTA .................................................. 82
FIGURE 8-1: EUROPE IN THE ELECTRONICS VALUE CHAIN ................................................................................... 92
FIGURE 8-2: SHARE OF PRODUCTION CAPACITY BY COUNTRY OF FAB LOCATION IN 2013 ................................. 93
FIGURE 8-3: GDP IMPACTS OF SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE ........................................................ 94
FIGURE 8-4: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING LANDSCAPE IN EUROPE IN 2013 .......................................... 95
FIGURE 8-5: SHARE OF PRODUCTION IN MICRO- AND NANO-ELECTRONICS ....................................................... 96
FIGURE 8-6: SHARE OF TURNOVER IN MICRO- AND NANO-ELECTRONICS ........................................................... 96
FIGURE 8-7: SHARE OF KETS-ENABLED PRODUCTION IN MICRO- AND NANO-ELECTRONICS .............................. 97
FIGURE 8-8: GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF DIRECT EMPLOYMENT IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY ....... 97
FIGURE 8-9: ABSOLUTE KETS-ENABLED EMPLOYMENT IN MICRO- AND NANO-ELECTRONICS............................ 98
FIGURE 8-10: SHARE IN KETS-ENABLED EMPLOYMENT, TOP TEN EU28 COUNTRIES IN MICRO- AND NANO-
ELECTRONICS............................................................................................................................................... 99
FIGURE 9-1: GLOBAL MARKET OUTLOOK FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ICT TO 2019 .......................................... 100
FIGURE 9-2: GLOBAL SALES ESTIMATES FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT BY MATERIAL TYPE, 2013 AND 2019
.................................................................................................................................................................. 101
FIGURE 9-3: NANOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS IN ICT BY APPLICATION ............................................................... 102
FIGURE 9-4: GLOBAL MARKET FOR SPUTTERED MAGNETIC COATINGS USED ON HARD DISCS TO 2019 .......... 104
FIGURE 9-5: GLOBAL MARKET FOR OXIDE THIN FILM MATERIALS USED IN MAGNETIC TAPES ......................... 105
FIGURE 9-6: GLOBAL MARKET FOR THIN FILM MATERIALS IN OPTICAL RECORDING MEDIA ............................ 106
FIGURE 9-7: GLOBAL MARKET FOR SILVER NANOPARTICLES IN ELECTRONIC PRINTING TO 2019 ..................... 111
FIGURE 9-8: GLOBAL MARKET FOR CHEMICAL-MECHANICAL POLISHING COMPOUNDS TO 2019 .................... 114
FIGURE 9-9: GLOBAL MARKET FOR POLYCARBONATE/CARBON NANOTUBE COMPOUNDS TO 2019 ............... 115
FIGURE 9-10: GLOBAL MARKET FOR OF LOW-K NANOFILM MATERIALS TO 2019 ............................................. 116
FIGURE 9-11: GLOBAL MARKET FOR NANOSCALE ELECTRO-CONDUCTIVE COATINGS TO 2019 ........................ 118
FIGURE 9-12: GLOBAL MARKET FOR POSS NANOCOMPOSITES TO 2019 ........................................................... 119
FIGURE 9-13: GLOBAL SALES FOR NANOPARTICLES USED IN CERAMIC CAPACITORS TO 2019 ......................... 121
FIGURE 9-14: GLOBAL MARKET FOR NANO-MAGNETIC COMPOSITES IN ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL DEVICES
TO 2019 ..................................................................................................................................................... 122
FIGURE 9-15: GLOBAL MARKET FOR TRANSPARENT ELECTRODES TO 2019 ...................................................... 126
FIGURE 10-1: TYPE OF WEBSITE FOR THE TOP 100 NEWS ITEMS FOR NEUROMORPHIC AND NANO-
ELECTRONICS............................................................................................................................................. 141
FIGURE 10-2: TRENDS OVER TIME IN GOOGLE SCHOLAR RESULTS FOR THE “GRAPHENE” AND “GRAPHENE
ELECTRONICS” ........................................................................................................................................... 142

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Tables
TABLE 3-1:NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND SHARES FOR TOTAL PROJECTS AND FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY.............. 27
TABLE 3-2: NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND SHARES FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY ......... 28
TABLE 3-3: FP6 ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES BY PROGRAMME AND SUB-PROGRAMME ......................... 29
TABLE 3-4: FP7 ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES BY PROGRAMME AND SUB-PROGRAMME ......................... 31
TABLE 3-5: PARTICIPATIONS IN FP6 AND FP7 INCLUDING FUNDING AND SHARE OF FUNDING .......................... 32
TABLE 3-6: ORGANISATIONS PARTICIPATING IN FP6 AND FP7, TOP 25 RANKED BY FUNDING RECEIVED ........... 34
TABLE 3-7: COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN FP6 AND FP7, TOP 25 RANKED BY FUNDING RECEIVED .................. 35
TABLE 3-8: TOP FIFTEEN COUNTRIES FOR FP PARTICIPATION RANKED BY FUNDING RECEIVED ......................... 36
TABLE 3-9: COUNTRY RANKING BY FP FUNDING FOR TOP TEN IN FP, NT AND ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY ............ 36
TABLE 4-1: MEMBER STATE POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY ......................................... 47
TABLE 6-1: ANNUAL NST PUBLICATION OUTPUT FOR ICT WORLDWIDE AND IN THE EU28&EFTA, 2000-2014 .. 70
TABLE 6-2: MOST COMMON JOURNALS BY NUMBERS OF NST ICT PUBLICATIONS (NPUB), 2000-2014 ............. 72
TABLE 6-3: MOST PROLIFIC REGIONS FOR ICT PUBLICATIONS, 2014 ................................................................... 72
TABLE 6-4: NUMBER OF ICT PUBLICATIONS BY COUNTRY (TOP 20), 2014 ........................................................... 73
TABLE 6-5: PUBLICATION NUMBERS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND
RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS, 2014 ............................................................................................................. 74
TABLE 6-6: NUMBER OF ICT PUBLICATIONS BY EU&EFTA ORGANISATION (TOP TEN), 2014 ............................... 75
TABLE 6-7: NUMBER OF ICT PUBLICATIONS BY COMPANY (TOP 8), 2014............................................................ 75
TABLE 7-1: ABSOLUTE NUMBERS AND PERCENTAGES OF PATENTS ON ICT AND NANOTECHNOLOGY ............... 76
TABLE 7-2: NUMBER OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ICT PATENT FAMILIES BY PCT RECEIVING AUTHORITY ................. 78
TABLE 7-3: ORIGIN OF PATENT APPLICANTS, EU/EFTA AND REST OF WORLD (1993-2011) ................................ 78
TABLE 7-4: PATENT FAMILIES BY COUNTRY OF APPLICANT, NUMBERS AND PERCENTAGES (1993-2011) .......... 79
TABLE 7-5: PATENT FAMILIES BY COUNTRY OF APPLICANT FOR EU28/EFTA (1993-2011) .................................. 81
TABLE 7-6: COUNTRY OF APPLICANT AND NUMBER OF PATENTS GRANTED AT EPO AND USPTO ...................... 82
TABLE 7-7: COMPARISON OF PATENT FILINGS AND PATENTS GRANTED BY COUNTRY OF APPLICANT (1993-
2011) ........................................................................................................................................................... 83
TABLE 7-8: ESTIMATE OF RELATIVE PATENTING SUCCESS BY COUNTRY OF APPLICANT ..................................... 83
TABLE 7-9: COUNTRY OF APPLICANT AND COUNTRY OF INVENTOR TABLE FOR CROSS-COMPARISON .............. 84
TABLE 7-10: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES FOR TOP TEN UNIVERSITIES AND PROS (1993-2011) ..................... 84
TABLE 7-11: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES IN THE TOP 20 EU28/EFTA UNIVERSITIES AND PROS (1993-2011) 85
TABLE 7-12: UNIVERSITIES / RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS GRANTED PATENTS, BY EPO PATENT NUMBERS ....... 86
TABLE 7-13: UNIVERSITIES / RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS GRANTED PATENTS, BY USPTO PATENT NUMBERS .. 86
TABLE 7-14: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES FOR TOP TEN COMPANIES (1993-2011) ......................................... 87
TABLE 7-15: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES FOR TOP TEN NON-US COMPANIES (1993-2011) .......................... 87
TABLE 7-16: NUMBER OF PATENT FAMILIES FOR TOP TEN NON-US COMPANIES (1993-2011) .......................... 88
TABLE 7-17: USPTO AND EPO GRANTED PATENTS BY COMPANY (SORTED BY US PATENTS) .............................. 88
TABLE 8-1: NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES INVOLVED IN ICT MANUFACTURING ........................ 89
TABLE 8-2: TURNOVER, PRODUCTION VALUE AND VALUE ADDED OF ICT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES ...... 90
TABLE 8-3: EMPLOYMENT IN EU MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES INVOLVED IN ICT .......................................... 91
TABLE 9-1: GLOBAL MARKET VALUES FOR ELECTRONICS (MULTIPLE SOURCES) ............................................... 101
TABLE 10-1: OVERVIEW OF REGULATIONS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY USE IN EUROPE ...................................... 132
TABLE 10-2: HAZARD BANDS FOR THE SPECIFIED NANOPARTICLES .................................................................. 135
TABLE 10-3: PRIORITY BANDS IN THE STOFFENMANAGER SYSTEM ................................................................... 138
TABLE 10-4: PRIORITY BANDS FOR THE ICT SECTOR ........................................................................................... 139
TABLE 10-5: FREQUENCY OF ARTICLES ON THE WEB, IN THE NEWS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY ICT TOPICS ...... 140
TABLE 10-6: FREQUENCY ON GOOGLE SCHOLAR OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ICT TOPICS ...................................... 141
TABLE 10-7: ASSESSMENTS BY THE PUBLIC OF VARIOUS APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY .................... 143

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors of this report wish to acknowledge the valuable guidance and support received
from the numerous experts from research, industry and policy who were consulted during
the project, through interviews, in workshops and other meetings, and via surveys and
questionnaires.

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
This report offers a snapshot of the status of the environment for nanotechnology in the context of
information and communications technologies (ICT). Analysis of that environment, trends in the
data, and the effects of European policies and actions on nanotechnology, will be reported in the
NanoData ICT Impact Assessment and are therefore not included in this report.

Role of nanotechnology
In using new methods and new technologies, the main goal of manufacturers of traditional ICT, such
as chips for electronics, is to make smaller, faster and better devices. Reduced size means that more
components and more functionalities can be put into a device. Faster and better devices are built
with components with better computing speed and capacity. Better devices may also have the ability
to process and/or store more data. Associated goals are to minimise costs of materials and
manufacture, as well as to optimise performance, e.g. by controlling the heating of components.
Nanotechnology can contribute to all these goals through coatings, particles and films but also, in
the future, perhaps through radical changes in how ICTs work, though the use of spin (rather than
charge) in technologies known as spintronics, quantum computing and DNA computing.

Policies
National policies to support nanotechnology tend to be generic at Member State level in that they
may support nanotechnology within broad science and technology (S&T) initiatives (e.g. Innovate
UK in the United Kingdom, which funds S&T across the board) or support it as a designated priority
but usually do not single it out for specific measures (e.g. NanoNext in the Netherlands). Examples
of initiatives in which nanotechnology and ICT (or related areas) have been specified together include
the establishment of IMEC1 in Belgium; the founding of the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory 2 in
Portugal; and the thematic calls of the ANR3 in France (on miniaturisation, new technologies and
new devices for electronics and nano-photonics).
European supports are concentrated in the EU RTD Framework Programmes (see below under EU
R&D projects) as these have the greatest role in EU funding of nanotechnology R&D (research and
development). Other policies include those for industry and for ICT. There are many examples of
collaborative and co-ordination mechanisms at European level including ERA-NET4s, European
Technology Platforms (ETPs) and Networks of Excellence (NoEs), not least NANOFUNCTION, CHIST-
ERA, ETP4HPC and ECSEL. In ICT policy, in addition to the Framework Programmes, there is the
Digital Agenda for Europe, which aims to exploit the potential of ICT for jobs, growth and society.
Globally outside of the EU, countries that have specified nanotechnology and ICT (or related areas)
as a priority within their policies and programmes at some point in the recent past include the
Russian Federation (with the RUSNANO cluster on optoelectronics and nano-electronics); Japan
(under its Second and Third S&T Basic Plans, 2001-2005 and 2006-2010, although Japan has now
moved to more generic priority areas); and Korea (with national programmes and centres). Other
countries include nanotechnology in policies and programmes but do not single out ICT (e.g. India’s
NanoMission).
In terms of available data, this report tracks research and development activities through projects,
publications and patents to products and markets in the context of the wider socio-economic
environment.

EU R&D projects
For projects at the European level, nanosciences and nanotechnologies (NT) were first provided for
at a significant level in FP6, taking about 10% of the budget (EUR 1,703 million for nanotechnology
out of EUR 16,692 million for FP6) mainly under the headings of NMP (EUR 870 million); Information
Society (EUR 346 million); and Life Sciences (EUR 54 million), as well as Human Resources and

1
Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum, http://www2.imec.be/be_en/about-imec.html
2
http://inl.int/
3
http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/
4
Also ERA-NET plus

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Mobility (Marie Curie Actions, EUR 219 million).

1307 projects (75% of them in FP7) were found to be related to nanotechnology and ICT,
approximately 32% of all nanotechnology projects in the two Framework Programmes. They received
EUR 2,655 million in funding, EUR 0.66 billion in FP6 and EUR 2 billion in FP7. The largest proportion
of funding by theme was under the ICT-related theme of the Co-operation Programme in both FP6
(46.6%) and FP7 (56.6%). 25% of FP6 funding for ICT and nanotechnology was under the NMP
theme, reducing to 10% in FP7. Marie-Curie Actions took around 10% of funding in both FPs.
Throughout FP6 and FP7, the top three countries (DE, FR and UK) received almost half of ICT
nanotechnology funding and together have also taken over half of the total FP funding. Other
countries (including Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Spain) follow at a distance.
Higher education establishments predominate in the FPs (receiving 45% of the funding), followed
by research organisations (29%) and large companies (16%). SMEs are less strong in funding
participation in ICT nanotechnology (7.5%) than for nanotechnology (12%) or FP overall (11%).
In terms of individual organisations in the EU28, the countries of France (CNRS 5, CEA6), Belgium
(IMEC), Germany (Fraunhofer7 and Max Planck8 Gesellschaften) and the United Kingdom (the
Universities of Cambridge and Manchester) are strongly represented in the top 20, which also
includes organisations from the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy and Finland. Switzerland is the strongest
non-EU28 country (EPFL9 and ETHZ10) and Israel is represented by the Weizmann Institute.
Looking at companies by funding, branches of the French-Italian company group STMicroelectronics
participate in 100 projects in FP6 and FP7, receiving funding of over EUR 80 million. Both Philips
(NL, DE) and Infineon (DE, AT) with over 40 projects each received EUR 26 million. There are no
SMEs in the top 25. In terms of location, the countries of these large companies are Germany (7),
France (5), the Netherlands (3), Austria, Belgium and Italy (2 each), Spain, Finland, the United
Kingdom and Switzerland (one each).

Publications
Of 1.8 million publications globally related to nanoscience and nanotechnology (NST) between 2000
and 2014, about 130,000 were related to ICT, 7% of the total output.
The strongest publishing countries in 2014 were the China and the US, followed by Korea, Japan,
Germany, India and the United Kingdom. Of the EU28, the strongest in publications in 2014 were
Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain, the top three being the same as for FP
projects.
Thirteen of the top 25 publishing organisations are in China. Of the top ten, six are from China and
two each from Singapore and Korea. There are no European organisations in the top 25.
Looking at EU&EFTA organisations in 2014, these are led by the University of Cambridge (UK), the
University of Paris XI Sud and IMEC, each with over 100 publications. However, there has been no
normalisation of the data to take into account factors influencing publication output such as the
number of researchers/technicians/students or the research budgets. The companies with the most
ICT publications globally in 2014 were IBM, Samsung Electronics and Nippon Telegraph (NTT).

Patenting
The strong presence of countries such as the US, Japan, Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom
is also seen in patenting, with the omission of China and the addition of the Netherlands in the top
six. However, the third placed Korea has less than a quarter of the patent families (422) of the US
(2196) and Japan (1787). Using patenting families11 as the measure, the top EU28 countries for ICT
nanotechnology patenting between 1993 and 2011 were Germany, the Netherlands, the United

5
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the National Centre for Scientific Research www.cnrs.fr
6
Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic
Energy Commission www.cea.fr
7
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. www.fraunhofer.de
8
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, the Max Planck Society www.mpg.de
9
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne
www.epfl.ch
10
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich www.ethz.ch
11
At the European Patent Office, US Patent and Trademark Office or World Intellectual Property Office

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Kingdom and France.

The top ten EU and EFTA countries by number of applications are the same as the top ten as
measured by patents granted (DE, NL, UK, FR, BE, CH, SE, IT, ES and FI) with some changes in
position but with the top five countries being the same in both. Germany, the United Kingdom and
France also lead the table in FP projects and publications on nanotechnology and ICT (followed by
Italy and Spain) but in patents the Netherlands also performs strongly.
Globally, the leading organisation for patents (by patent families) was the CEA in France, with the
CNRS in France and IMEC in Belgium also in the top ten. Four out of the top ten organisations filing
patents were in the US, and one each from Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
Of the top 15 universities and research organisations ranked by the highest number of EPO patents
granted between 1993 and 2011, four are from the EU28/EFTA countries (CEA, CNRS, IMEC (ranked
1, 2 and 3 respectively) and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (ranked 10)). Seven are from the US.
Of the top ten companies with the highest number of patent families (with percentages for PCT, US
and EP applications), five are in Japan and three the United States. Germany is the only EU28 country
that features with the company Infineon, which is also very engaged in EU Framework Programmes.
It should be noted that some may be holding companies rather than research companies or
manufacturers.
Companies from the US and Korea lead the organisations with highest number of patents granted
by the EPO. Infineon Technologies (DE) appears again at fourth place and is joined by Philips (NL),
both strong FP performers. Another Dutch company (NXP) also has a significant number of EPO
patents granted.

Products and markets for ICT through nanotechnology

The global market nanotechnology ICT products is expected to grow (USD 2 billion 2013, over USD
10 billion 2019). There is the potential for dramatic changes in computing but the markets for these
cannot be quantified. It can only be forecast that 3-4% of the market in 2019 will come from
applications of technology that do not already exist in some form. A relative decrease in exploitation
of carbon nanotubes is expected by 2019 and the use of solid particles and thin films to increase.
The largest markets globally in 2014 were estimated12 for low-k dielectric films for electrostatic
protection (USD 870 million); sputtered magnetic coatings for hard discs (USD 429 million);
nanoparticles in ceramic capacitors (USD 242 million); and nano-inks for printed electronics (USD
225 million). The highest growth for these products is forecast in low-k dielectric films, followed by
nano-inks (and the silver nanoparticles they contain) and nanoparticles in ceramic capacitors.
However, the market for new products such as transparent electrodes is expected to be very strong.
In total markets in 2019, the forecast is for almost USD 7 billion for low-k dielectric, USD 1 billion
for nano-inks for printed electronics, and almost USD 0.5 billion for sputtered magnetic coatings for
hard disc applications. Market opportunities may also arise from the spintronics, quantum computing
and valleytronics.
84 ICT-related products using nanotechnology have been identified as being commercially available
on the market. Nanotechnology occurs mostly in components including data storage but also strongly
in materials such as electrostatic dissipative coatings.

Regulation and standards

European regulations for nanotechnology are well-advanced with definitions and many regulatory
documents. ICT is regulated under the European Framework Directive for Electronic
Communications, which is mostly oriented towards the provision of network services and
international trade and does not address the uses of nanotechnology in ICT.
Nanomaterials used to make or improve ICT must comply with the overarching regulatory framework
in place for chemical substances, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)
and the Directive on the Restriction of the use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (RoHS2). In general, nanomaterials fall under REACH - the Registration,
Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).

12
BCC Research

12
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Some European Member States have put in place additional ways to regulate nanotechnologies (e.g.
using databases and reporting schemes for nanomaterials). Non-EU countries have their own
controls under which nanotechnology and ICT may fall. In general, marketing authorisations must
be applied for on a country by country basis.
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is responsible for the standardisation of
nanotechnologies but has not directly addressed ICT. The European Committee for Standardisation
committee on nanotechnology (CEN/TC 352) has not developed standards relevant to ICT but covers
ICT and nanotechnology more generally through its working group on health, safety and
environmental aspects. ICT and nanotechnology also fall under the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC)
committee.

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1 BACKGROUND
The ability to measure and manufacture at the nanoscale is opening up many new avenues within
industry and across society including information and communication technologies (ICT).
This report is a Landscape Compilation of facts and figures related to nanotechnology and ICT. It
offers a snapshot of the status in 2015 of the environment for nanotechnology in the context of ICT.
It documents past and current policies and programmes for nanotechnology (in particular, but not
exclusively, those relating to ICT); the outputs of research (projects, publications and patents) and
how those outputs are used in the application of nanotechnology to ICT (products and markets).
Being a nanotechnology landscape, it does not provide detailed analysis of the data or its trends or
draw policy conclusions. The analysis of the data in this report will be fully presented in the Impact
Assessment report that accompanies it. The Impact Assessment considers the policies and practices
at European level to date (an ex-post evaluation) and looks at gaps in the policies and practices,
concluding with a review of what actions could be taken to enhance nanotechnology and ICT in the
future (an ex-ante analysis).
The outline of this report is as follows:
• Introduction to ICT and the role of nanotechnology;
• Policies and programmes for nanotechnology and ICT;
• Research projects, the EU Framework Programmes;
• Publications in nanotechnology and ICT;
• Patenting in nanotechnology and ICT;
• Industry and nanotechnology for ICT;
• Products and markets for ICT through nanotechnology; and
• The wider environment for nanotechnology and ICT (regulation and standards, environmental
health and safety, communication and surveys on nanotechnology and ICT).

The next section introduces ICT and the role of nanotechnology in addressing it.

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

2 INTRODUCTION TO ICT AND THE ROLE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

2.1 Introduction to ICT
Information and communications technology (ICT) is an umbrella term applied to communication
devices and systems (including computer and network hardware and software); telecommunications
(e.g. telephones, mobile phones, radio and television); and satellite systems. It also covers the
applications associated with them, such as video-conferencing, data management and distance
learning. The devices and systems are often inter-linked, for example, satellites used by mobile
phone networks.

Key applications of ICT

• Smart mobility: improve air quality, reduce congestion, sustain mobility for the elder
generation and increase accident free mobility;
• Smart society: intelligent, secure and easy-to-use data systems;
• Smart energy: sustainable energy generation and conversion, reducing energy
consumption, efficient community energy management;
• Smart health: long and healthy living through affordable care and well-being; improved
food production, processing and delivery; and
• Smart production: manufacturing and process automation and new manufacturing and
process technologies enabled by advanced electronics systems.

Adapted from http://www.ecsel-ju.eu/

ICT today is mainly semi-conductor and silicon-based, with integrated circuits driving ICT systems
– here called Traditional ICT. Also of relevance in the context of nanotechnology is Frontier ICT,
using new materials and novel systems (including the potential of quantum computing and organic
electronics). The following paragraphs introduce traditional ICT and frontier ICT.

2.1.1 Traditional ICT

ICT has, following the age of the vacuum tube, relied largely on electronics composed of electronic
components (e.g. resistors, capacitors, diodes and transistors 13) and/or integrated circuits.
Integrated circuits (ICs) are semiconductor wafers holding thousands or millions of miniature
components - resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc. Integrated circuits can have many functions
including being amplifiers, timers, actuators, counters, computer memories and microprocessors.

Semiconductors
A semiconductor is a substance that can conduct electricity under some conditions but not
others, making it a good medium for the control of electric current. The ease with which a
semiconductor conducts (its conductance) varies depending on the current or voltage
applied to a control electrode, or on the intensity of irradiation by infrared, visible or
ultraviolet light or X-rays.
The properties of a semiconductor depend on the impurities, or dopants, added to it. An N-
type semiconductor carries current mainly in the form of negatively-charged electrons, in
a manner similar to the conduction of current in a wire. A P-type semiconductor carries
current predominantly as electron deficiencies (holes). A hole has a positive electric charge,
equal and opposite to the charge on an electron. In a semiconductor material, the flow of
holes is opposite in direction to the flow of electrons.
Elemental semiconductors include antimony, arsenic, boron, carbon, germanium, selenium,
silicon, sulphur and tellurium. Silicon is the best-known of these, forming the basis of most
integrated circuits (ICs). Common semiconductor compounds include gallium arsenide,
indium antimonide and the oxides of most metals. See: http://whatis.techtarget.com

13
Transistor: a device that regulates current or voltage flow in a circuit, acting as a switch or gate for
electronic signals.

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Advances in ICT have long been driven by the goal of miniaturisation, making smaller components
in order to make smaller devices and systems and to incorporate a greater number of functionalities
into devices. The rate of miniaturisation was predicted by Moore in 1965 in Moore’s Law, which
states that the number of components on an integrated circuit will increase exponentially over time
i.e. double every year. In 1975, Moore revised his Law to state that the number of components on
an integrated circuit would double every two years.
The Law proved to be accurate in large part, in that industry has delivered smaller and smaller and
more and more powerful devices. The Law has long been used in goal-setting and long-term planning
by the semiconductor and computer industries in the scenario called More Moore. The exponential
trajectory of semiconductor manufacture, and hence computing power, has led to steeply decreasing
costs in ICT making their applications (devices) increasingly accessible to consumers while
constantly offering greater functionality. The ICT giant Intel estimates14 that the transistors it now
produces run 90,000 times more efficiently and are 60,000 times cheaper than the first one it
produced in 1971.

Transistors
Transistors are the basic elements of standard integrated circuits (IC) with many
transistors that are interconnected by circuitry forming a single electronic chip.
The transistor was invented by scientists at Bell Laboratories in 1947, rapidly replacing the
vacuum tube as a regulator for electronic signals. It is a device that regulates current or
voltage flow and acts as a switch (or gate) for electronic signals. Transistors typically
consist of three layers of a semiconductor material, each capable of carrying a current. A
small change in the current or voltage at the inner semiconductor layer (which acts as the
control electrode) produces a large, rapid change in the current passing through the entire
component. The component can thus act as a switch, opening and closing an electronic
gate many times per second. It can also act as a current amplifier. Electrodes can be
attached to each of the three layers of the semiconductors in order to better control the
flow of electrons (or holes) through the transistor.
Field-effect transistors (FETs) use this three electrode system. In some FETs, the
semiconductors layers are coated with metal oxides, forming MOSFETs (metal oxide
semiconductor FETs). Metal oxide semiconductors are also present in CMOS technologies,
complementary metal oxide semiconductor technologies. CMOS technology uses both N-
type and P-type semiconductors in a complementary way for electrical control. Computers
and many other ICT devices use circuitry based on CMOS technology. CMOS components
use almost no power when not needed. However, the direction of the current can be very
rapidly changed in CMOS transistors and they can become hot, limiting the speed at which
circuits such as microprocessors can operate.
See: http://whatis.techtarget.com

The continuation of ‘More Moore’ relies on being able to reduce the size of electronics on an indefinite
basis. While that may be possible for some future years15, companies are also seeking to sustain
and grow their sales by increasing performance through the stacking of components in forms known
as ‘system on a chip’ (SoC) or ‘system in a package’ (SiP). Nanotechnology can contribute not only
in the miniaturisation of ICT (More Moore) but also in this new direction (More than Moore). ‘More
than Moore’ may indeed prove to be the better route for companies, in terms of cost competitiveness,
as the fabrication facilities to make smaller and smaller components (More Moore) require very high
levels of investment in infrastructure, an estimated USD 6 billion in 2015 for a new semiconductor
fabrication plant (a so-called ‘Fab’). New functionality and better performance in semiconductor-
based applications is being targeted through the use of nanostructures such as nanowires and
nanomaterials.

14
Reported in April 2015 in http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2015/04/economist-
explains-17
15
Intel expects to be able to maintain the law to 2025 at least, slimming its transistors down to 5nm, about
the thickness of a cell membrane (ibid).

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

The manufacture of silicon-based computer chips

Sand contains a high percentage of the semiconductor material silicon and is the starting
material for computer chips. The silicon is melted and cooled into a solid monocrystalline
lattice cylinder (ingot) with, for example, a diameter of 300 millimetres (mm) and a weight
of about 100 kilogrammes (kg). Each ingot is cut into individual silicon discs (wafers) about
one mm thick that are polished to a mirror-smooth surface.
Photolithography is used to imprint a pattern on the wafer. A light-sensitive, etch-resistant
material (photoresist) is applied to the wafer surface. This can be done using a number of
techniques including: physical vapour deposition (PVD), chemical vapour deposition (CVD),
electrochemical deposition (ECD), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and atomic layer
deposition (ALD). The photoresist is hardened and parts of it are exposed to ultraviolet
light, making it soluble. The UV light passes through a mask (similar to a stencil), and then
through a lens to shrink and print circuit patterns on each layer of every chip on the wafer.
A chemical process is used to remove the soluble photoresist, leaving a patterned
photoresist image.
Ions are embedded beneath the surface of the wafer in regions not covered by photoresist,
changing the conductive properties of the silicon in the selected positions. A silicon dioxide
layer is created over the wafer to insulate the transistor from other elements.
Multiple layers of high-k dielectric material can be applied to the wafer surface by atomic
layer deposition. The high-k dielectric material improves performance and reduces leakage.
This material is etched away in some areas, such as the silicon dioxide layer, as necessary.
Holes are etched into the insulation layer above the transistor and filled with copper or
another material to form metal connections to other transistors.
The wafers are put into a copper sulphate solution. Copper ions are deposited onto the
transistor using a process called electroplating. Excess material is polished off, revealing a
specific pattern of copper. In a three-dimensional system, metal layers interconnect the
transistors in a chip. The design of the chip determines how the connections are made.
Although chips look flat, they can have more than 30 layers of complex circuitry.
After wafer processing is complete, each chip on a wafer is tested for its functionality. The
wafer is cut into pieces (called die). Together, the substrate, the die and a heat spreader
(a thermal interface that helps dissipate heat) form a completed processor. The substrate
makes electrical and mechanical connections so that the processor can interact with the
overall system.
Adapted from: https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/history/museum-transistors-to-
transformations-brochure.html

Moving away from semiconductors, silicon photonics is being seen as a future means to enable the
transmission of huge amounts of data at very high speeds with extremely low power over thin optical
fibres. Combining these with semiconductor electronics, systems in a package may be able to
integrate extremely fast III-V circuits with silicon-based circuits for transmission via optical fibres.

Future goals in ICT

• Semiconductor process, equipment, and materials: More Moore, More than Moore and
System in Package (SiP) technology;
• Design technologies;
• Cyber-physical systems: embedded intelligent ICT systems that are interconnected,
interdependent, collaborative, autonomous and provide computing and communication,
monitoring/control of physical components/processes; and
• Smart system integration: 3D integration for sensing, data processing, actuating,
networking, energy scavenging and managing, that combine nano-, micro-, and power-
electronics with micro-electro-mechanical and other physical, electromagnetic, chemical
and biological principles.
Adapted from http://www.ecsel-ju.eu/

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Existing or soon-to-be-realised applications of nanotechnology in the field of ICT include:

nanotechnology-enabled data storage technologies (e.g. hard disc media and computer memory);
materials to make ICT (e.g. conductive inks for printed electronics); materials to enhance ICT (e.g.
electro-conductive coatings); and nanotechnology-enabled components (e.g. multilayer ceramic
capacitors and magnetic nanocomposites). Much more information on these (and the role of
nanotechnology in them) is given in the section on Products and Markets for ICT through
Nanotechnology. A large future market is anticipated in novel technology applications such as spin
waves, spintronics, and quantum dot technologies, including quantum computing, novel sensors,
graphene transistors and quantum cryptography.

2.1.2 Frontier ICT

Quantum computers are being developed by companies including D-Wave and IBM. They use qubits
(quantum bits16) to represent a one or a zero (like a conventional computer) but they can also
represent both a one and a zero at the same time, making quantum computers potentially much
faster than conventional ones. In April 2015, IBM announced that they had overcome one of the
barriers to quantum computing, the detection of quantum errors (for example, where one bit has
flipped and taken a zero value instead of one) 17 while, in September 2015, D-Wave launched its D-
Wave 2X system, a quantum computer of over one thousand qubits, that was subsequently installed
at NASA’s Ames Research Centre, in a collaboration between Google, NASA and the US Universities
Space Research Association18.
Quantum cryptography uses photons (light) to transfer encryption keys for secure systems via
optical fibres. Nanotechnology coatings are being used to improve the quality of the fibres for
transmission, in addition to nanoscale effects being at the core of quantum cryptography as a
technology. Quantum key distribution is already in use in the global banking sector. Researchers are
now working on twisting the light to increase the amount of information that can be transmitted by
each photon, currently only one qubit. The technique uses the orbital angle momentum of the photon
instead of its polarisation. 19
Novel sensors: Energy harvesting uses autonomous and self-powered sensors, adsorbing energy
from a renewable source that is continuously available in the ambient environment, without the need
for battery replacement. For energy-harvesting to be adopted for a device, it must be able to match
the need for energy in the device. Research is being done on reducing the gap between energy
harvesting (supply) and device consumption (demand). Zero power switches would enable devices
to operate without any energy being expended. More than Moore approaches are being researched
to create nano-sized electronic switches. It has been shown that, theoretically, nano-magnetic zero-
power switches that do not dissipate energy during operation are possible20.
Graphene21 transistors are being researched as a replacement for existing computer chip
technologies because graphene, at a thickness of a single atom, can conduct electricity at room
temperature. It is ultra-light, tough, 200 times stronger than steel and highly flexible. Its
transparency and flexibility make it a candidate material for wearable electronics and bendable
displays. Graphene transistors are being developed as photodetectors because of their ultra-high
carrier mobility and light absorption in a broad range of wavelengths. Graphene field-effect
transistors would perform well in high-frequency electronics22.

16
A quantum bit is analogous to the binary digits (bits) of classical computing and relies on a two-state
quantum-mechanical system (e.g. the polarisation of a photon, the two states being vertical and
horizontal polarisation).
17
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/46725.wss
18
http://www.dwavesys.com/press-releases/d-wave-systems-announces-multi-year-agreement-provide-its-
technology-google-nasa-and
19
New Journal of Physics 17, 033033, http://m.iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1367-
2630/17/6/063008/pdf
20
http://m.iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0957-4484/26/22/222001/meta#nano512242fn3
21
http://www.graphene.manchester.ac.uk/
22
http://gr-sci.net/papers/10-02.PDF

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2.1.3 Applications of ICT23

The applications of ICTs are manifold, from direct use as computers and phones to their being tools
for signal processing and sensing applied to sectors including manufacturing, transport, health,
energy and environment. Future applications may include in vivo health monitoring and drug delivery
systems, smart home control systems and wearable computers. Sectoral examples are given below
of a few of the current uses of ICT, particularly those in which nanotechnology is increasingly playing
a role.

ICT in the transport sector

The transport industry is responsible for generating 7% of European GDP and 5% of employment.
The mobility of people and the flow of goods to, from and within Europe must be cost-effective, safe
and environmentally sustainable. Currently, the sector is responsible for the emission of 24% of
greenhouse gases and 28% of CO2, and is 97% dependent on fossil fuels.
The uses of ICT in the transport sector (now and in the future) include:
• Assisted driving systems (for fuel efficiency, safety, etc.);
- Distance and speed regulation (as safety systems and for fuel efficiency);
- Warning systems (e.g. obstacle avoidance systems);
- Autonomous driving (driverless vehicles);
• Advanced positioning and communication systems; and
• Improved logistics management.
By 2017, the market for automated driving support systems alone (e.g. collision warning, drowsiness
monitoring and night vision) is expected to reach USD 7.6 billion, representing a CAGR of 28.1%
over the period 2012 to 2017. Also by 2017, sales of human machine interfaces (HMI) and navigation
systems are expected to reach USD 5.2 billion (CAAGR of 9.8% over the same period).

ICT in the health sector

ICT, particularly as it becomes miniaturised with the help of nanotechnology, is increasingly seen as
a key tool for personalised healthcare. Applications include personal diagnosis and monitoring,
implants and enhanced levels of telemedicine across the community, all important to a growing and
ageing population. In 2015, there are 901 million people aged 60 or over, 12% of the global
population24. Within that, Europe has the highest percentage of its population aged 60 or over at
double the average, 24%. The annual rate of growth of the global population aged 60 or above is
3.26% and the total is projected to be 1.4 billion by 2030 and 2.1 billion by 2050. With the aims of
long life and healthy living, personalised medicine and home healthcare have a significant role to
play.
Examples of the use of ICT in health include:
• Implantable pacemakers (since the late 1950s);
• Clip-on finger monitors of blood oxygen levels (pulse oximeters) (since the 1980s);
• Scanners such as MRI, CT and CAT scanners (since the 1970s and 1980s); and
• Glucose-sensing bio-implant insulin pumps for diabetes treatment (since the 2000s, e.g. 2003
in the UK 25).
Advances that are being made using nanotechnology and ICT together, and already at the
demonstration stage26, include:
• Wearable E-skin that can measure heart rate and blood pressure27; and
• Paper diagnostic machines the size of a credit card that can give instant readings on blood and
saliva samples28.

23
http://www.smart-systems-integration.org/public/about/objectives-mission (Strategic Research Agenda,
accessed Nov. 2015)
24
http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/
25
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta151
26
http://phys.org/news/2015-05-e-skin-pocket-sized-diagnostic-machines-patients.html#jCp
27
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150512090729.htm
28
http://www.ifm.liu.se/applphys/biosensors-and-bioelectro/research/biosensors/

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Working at the level of nanotechnology but further away in terms of development are:
• Combining nano-carriers and MRI scanning for brain cancer therapy29;
• Neural implants for severely disabled or injured people30;
• 3-d scanning to help in the study of degenerative bone diseases such as osteoporosis31;
• Ultrasensitive microRNA sensors for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic and other
cancers32; and
• Tissue engineering with ICT controlling and optimising the bioreactor33.
Much of the activity in ICT and nanotechnology for health is around biosensors. Healthcare
companies report that the five technologies of greatest importance to their market are micro-electro-
mechanical systems (MEMS), micro-optical electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) and micro-fluidics;
micro-sensors and micro-actuators; design and simulation technologies; semiconductor and More-
than-Moore technologies; and micro-nano-bio-systems (MNBS). All of these use or, as scales are
reduced in the search for new and better products and processes, they will use, or become,
nanotechnology. Global sales of biosensors were USD 8.5 billion in 2012 and were expected to double
to USD 16.8 billion by 2018, a large market for nanotechnology-related products across health, food,
environment, etc. Remote patient monitoring (including support systems) has been estimated at a
market value of USD 10.6 billion in 201234 while the total global health and personal well-being
sector was estimated in 2011 to be over USD 300 billion35. The nanotechnology-based medical device
market was estimated to be USD 5 billion in 2014, rising to USD 8.5 billion in 2019 (CAGR 11%) 36.

ICT in the manufacturing sector

ICT is ubiquitous in the modern manufacturing sector, as is nanotechnology. The main technologies
used by companies in the sector are reported to be similar to those in healthcare: micro-sensors
and micro-actuators; MEMS, MOEMS and micro-fluidics; design and simulation technologies; and
semiconductor and More-than-Moore technologies. These are applied in
• Manufacturing and prototyping equipment;
• Process control systems linked to intelligent sensors;
• Robotics and factory automation; and
• Testing and inspection.
Nanotechnology and ICT work together in areas including: sensor systems for factory processes,
robotics and testing; nano-coatings for heat reduction on electronic, electrical and mechanical
components; testing and inspection at very small scales, in conjunction with signal processing
systems; smart control of the work environment and monitoring of the workforce; and proto-typing
using 3-D printing.
Within ICT, nanotechnology is present in components and materials. It may also play a significant
role in the future in novel systems and new materials for ICT. Applications include data storage (Co,
Ni, Fe nanowires); sensors (nanowires, graphene); transistors (graphene, nanowires); energy
harvesters (nanowires); light-emitting diodes and lasers (nanowires); and electronic paper/ flexible
electronics/ transparent screens (thin films and coatings). More information about nanotechnology
in ICT follows below.

29
http://phys.org/news/2015-11-nanocarriers-brain-cancer-therapy.html
30
http://actu.epfl.ch/news/neuroprosthetics-for-paralysis-an-new-implant-on-t/
31
http://phys.org/news/2015-11-d-nanostructure-bone-visible.html
32
http://phys.org/news/2015-11-nanotech-based-sensor-micrornas-blood-cancer.html
33
A tissue engineering bioreactor can be defined as a device that uses mechanical means to
influence biological processes. See http://epubs.rcsi.ie/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1045&context=anatart
34
http://www.kaloramainformation.com/about/release.asp?id=3159
35
Medical Devices Industry and Market Prospects 2012-2022, Vision Gain 2012, www.visiongain.com
36
MarketsandMarkets, http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/nanotechnology-medical-
device.asp

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2.2 Role of nanotechnology in ICT

The main goals of manufacturers of traditional ICT, such as chips for electronics, include:
• Reduced size (to make smaller devices);
• Greater computing capacity/speed while maintaining size requirements;
• Increased transmission capacity while maximising signal coherence; and
• Higher density data storage/memory (non-volatile).
Associated goals include:
• Minimising heat output; and
• Minimising the costs associated with materials.

While these are the goals of using nanotechnology in traditional ICT and electronics, in the future,
nanotechnology may offer radical new solutions in ICT, including quantum and DNA computing.
Some examples of the ways in which nanotechnology is being used or developed to improve ICT
include:
• Silver nanowires, being highly conductive and flexible, are potential replacements for the indium
tin oxide that is currently used to make transparent, conductive layers for tactile displays 37.
• Nanoscale quantum dots, in the form of a thin film in front of an LCD backlight, are being used
in novel television screens38. Quantum dots (QDs) of different sizes each emit a different colour
of light, improving the reproduction rate and brightness compared with conventional liquid-
crystal or LED displays, making for a more saturated appearance of colour. The QD technology
is also expected to be cheaper than organic LED screens.
• Nanoimprint lithography39 is a technique to produce higher resolution patterns for integrated
circuits than traditional photolithography. It has been used to fabricate field-effect transistors
and single-electron memories. It is a simple, low-cost, and high-throughput process for
replicating micro- and nanoscale patterns using mechanical deformation to create a pattern on
a resist-coated substrate. The resist may be cured using heat or ultra-violet light. One mould
may be used repeatedly to routinely make patterns at the scale of tens of nanometres.
• Nanotechnology-based imaging systems are being used to position components with great
precision in three dimensions in the research, testing and manufacture of ICT and in combination
with ICT systems.40
• Research is underway on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as integrated light sources, modulators and
detectors in silicon-based photonic devices. Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are mono-
dimensional materials, with specific electronic and optical properties relevant to electronics and
opto-electronics devices, including light sources.
• Hard disc drives are magnetic memories that do not lose the information stored in them when
the power is removed. They are however, relatively slow to access, much slower than random
access memories (RAM). Many new solid-state technologies are being developed based on the
magnetic spin of their materials. One such is spin-transfer-torque magnetic RAM (STT-MRAM) in
which the information is stored in the spin of nano-magnets and accessed electrically41. This set
of technologies is known as spintronics42.
• Spin–torque nano–oscillators (STNOs) have outstanding advantages of a high degree of
compactness, high–frequency tunability, and good compatibility with the standard
complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor process, which offer prospects for future wireless
communication.
• Plant-based photonic devices may in the future be used as sensor and communication networks.
Photonic structures occur in plants and fruits as well as in butterflies, beetles, jellyfish and
birds43. In plants, these structures affect the internal absorption and channelling of light. It may
be possible to use this channelling effect in sensors and/or for energy harvesting. Plants may

37
https://www.basf.com/us/en/company/news-and-media/news-releases/2015/03/P-US-14-37.html
38
http://www.ibtimes.com/quantum-dots-promise-cheaper-4k-tvs-are-they-really-better-oled-video-1782802
39
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4079920/
40
Physics World Focus on Nanotechnology: reaping the benefits of nanomaterials, May 2015
www.physicsworld.com.
41
http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v10/n3/full/nnano.2015.50.html#close
42
http://www.nature.com/subjects/spintronics
43
http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/10/87/20130394#sec-9

21
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also be able to power a small circuit using the sugars they produce, or act as chemical sensors
and communicate information by fluorescent signalling44.
The purpose of nanotechnology in ICT products currently on the market is discussed in the later
section on Products and Markets.

The next section considers the policies and programmes in place for nanotechnology and ICT.

44
Physics World Focus on Nanotechnology: reaping the benefits of nanomaterials, May 2015
www.physicsworld.com.

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

3 EU POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND

ICT
Support for public sector research and development (R&D) in the European Union is funded by
Member States either directly through national programmes or indirectly via the programmes
administered by the European Commission and its agencies. In addition, research and development
are funded by companies (intra- and extra-mural R&D) and by philanthropic bodies and individuals.
This report concentrates mainly on funding via the European Commission (EU funding), on Member
State funding and on the outputs of industry funding of its own R&D.
EU funds for research and innovation are provided through dedicated programmes. In 2014-2020,
these include the Framework Programmes (currently Horizon 2020), covering all research fields and
fully dedicated to funding research and innovation activities; sectoral research programmes (nuclear
energy, coal and steel, space); and the European Structural and Investment Funds. These
programmes are complemented by five other EU programmes with links to research and innovation
activities: The Third Health Programme45, Life46, Erasmus+47, COSME48 and the Connecting Europe
Facility49.
This section will first consider the EU Framework Programmes.

3.1 The EU Framework Programmes: supports for nanotechnology

The Framework Programmes (FPs) being the largest source of EU funds for R&D, they have the
greatest role in EU funding of nanotechnology R&D. Support specifically named as being for
nanosciences and nanotechnologies was first provided at a significant level in the Sixth Framework
Programme (FP6, 2002-2006) 50. Within FP6 funding, 56.6% of ICT nanotechnology projects were
funded under Information Society while 25% were funded under NMP (Nanotechnologies and
nanosciences, knowledge based multi-functional materials and new production processes and
devices).
Nanotechnology funding in FP6 was followed up with targeted funding in the Seventh Framework
Programme (FP7, 2007-2013). The largest part of funding for ICT and nanotechnology under the
Co-operation Programme was under ICT (46.1%). Under that theme, for example, ICT Challenge 3
(Alternative Paths to Components and Systems) covers nano-electronics and photonics, the
heterogeneous integration of these key enabling technologies with related components and systems,
as well as advanced computing and control systems at a higher level. Other themes under Co-
operation that supported ICT were NMP (Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new
Production Technologies) with over 10% of funding and the Joint Technology Initiatives51 (JTIs) with
over 8%.
The ICT topics were also funded under FP7 in non-specific basic research and in People and
Capacities:
• The European Research Council (ERC): total funding of over EUR 7.5 billion in FP7 (and EUR
13.1 billion in 2014-2020 under Horizon 202052) for investigator-driven, bottom-up research
ideas in science, engineering and interdisciplinary research, awarded through open competition,
with 18.8% of nanotechnology ICT funding;

45
Preventing diseases, protecting EU citizens from cross-border health threats, contributing to innovative
health systems, and facilitating better access to healthcare.
46
For environment, biodiversity and climate change.
47
Supporting relocation for education and training purposes.
48
Supporting the creation and expansion of companies, especially by expanding their research and innovation
activities.
49
Improving trans-European infrastructure for transport, energy and telecommunications.
50
FP6 NMP: Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new
production processes and devices: thematic priority 3 under the 'Focusing and integrating community
research' of the 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area' specific programme, 2002-
2006.
51
Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) are long-term Public-Private Partnerships which are managed within
dedicated structures based on Article 187 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)
(see more information later in this chapter)
52
http://erc.europa.eu/

23
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

• The Marie Curie Actions53: total funding of up to EUR 4.7 billion FP7 in 2007-2013 (and EUR 6.16
billion Horizon 2020 funding in 2014-2020) for training, mobility and career development of
researchers with 10% of nanotechnology ICT funding; and
• The Capacities Programme54: total budget of EUR 4.1 billion for research infrastructure; research
for the benefit of SMEs; regions of knowledge and support for regional research-driven clusters;
research potential of Convergence Regions; science in society; support to the coherent
development of research policies; and international co-operation, with 2% of nanotechnology
ICT funding.
Framework Programme funding is covered in much greater detail later in this chapter.

ICT, Nano and Health: the Micro- and Nano-Bio Systems cluster in FP6 and FP755
One ICT activity of relevance to nanotechnology and health is the Micro- and Nano-Bio Systems
cluster that looks at how systems can be integrated for applications that have, or interact with,
biological components. Other areas of application include environmental monitoring, and food
and beverage quality and safety.
MNBS projects to date have had targets of achieving substantial improvements via system
integration (e.g. miniaturisation and reduced power consumption, integration of molecular and
cell biology), improving system quality and/or reliability, and reducing the time-to-
market. MNBS has sub-groups on biomedical applications; miniaturised and lab-on-chip
systems for biological (in vitro), chemical and biochemical analysis; and systems for in vivo
interaction with the human body, etc. These aim, inter alia, to accelerate the development of
integrated diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic devices.

Mechanisms for collaboration on nanotechnology and ICT include, inter alia, the ERA-NETs, Networks
of Excellence (NoEs) and ESFRI, as outlined below. Later in the report, there is coverage of EUREKA’s
Eurostars; the European Technology Platforms; and the Joint Technology Initiatives (and Joint
Undertakings).
The ERA-NET scheme began under FP6 to support collaboration between and co-ordination of
national research programmes. For example, some activities of the ERA-NET ERA-SPOT - Strengthen
Photonics and Optical Technologies for Europe (2005-2009, total funding EUR 880,000, started by
funding agencies from Austria, France, Germany, Slovenia, and Sweden) are relevant to the ICT
sector. ERA-SPOT aimed to consolidate activities in optical technology (OT) through the co-ordination
of national research funding programmes, by developing and implementing joint strategies and
actions.
The ERA-NET scheme continued under FP7 to develop and strengthen the co-ordination of national
and regional research programmes through ERA-NET Plus actions, providing in a limited number of
cases with high European added value, additional EU financial support to facilitate joint calls for
proposals between national and/or regional programmes. For example, ERANET+ projects targeting
ICT have been funded in OLAE+.
OLAE+56 (2011-2016, funding EUR 6 million) is the Organic and Large Area Electronics European
competition for collaborative R&D funding. Its goal is to consolidate funding activities throughout
Europe and achieve the best possible exploitation of the resources and the innovative potential of
European industry and science. OLAE+ uses joint calls focussing on organic and large area
electronics technology, materials and systems. The topic and basic concept for this ERANET+
originated from the Mirror Group of the European Technology Platform Photonics21 that was made
up of governmental representatives from the Member and Associated States involved with the
promotion of photonics.

53
http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/ Marie Curie Actions became Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Actions under Horizon 2020.
54
http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/index_en.cfm?pg=capacities
55
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/micro-nanosystems/home_en.html
56
www.olaeplus.eu/

24
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Under FP7, there are also the two examples of CHIST-ERA and ICT-AGRI:
• CHIST-ERA57, the European Co-ordinated Research on Long-term Challenges in Information and
Communication Sciences & Technologies, is carried out by national and regional research funding
organisations with the contribution of the EU. The main purpose is to foster co-operation across
countries, with the greater level of attention being on research that involves multiple disciplines.
In the last few years, the topics on which the calls were issued were the Internet of Things, the
terahertz band for next-generation mobile communication systems, and quantum information
and technologies.
• Also partially related to nanotechnology and ICT is ICT-AGRI58, which aims to support “the
effectiveness and efficiency of national research programmes within information and
communication technology (ICT) and robotics for a competitive, sustainable and
environmentally-friendly agriculture”.
Networks of Excellence (NoE) were introduced in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) with the
objective of combatting fragmentation in the European Research Area (ERA) by integrating the
critical mass of resources and expertise needed to enhance Europe’s global competitiveness in key
areas relevant to a knowledge-based economy. These bottom-up initiatives are led by consortia
targeting specific research or technological challenges. They include NANOFUNCTION and
ACROPOLIS:
• The NANOFUNCTION ICT Network of Excellence (Beyond CMOS nano-devices for adding
functionalities to CMOS) received an EC research funding contribution of EUR 2.8 million (2010-
2013). The consortium involves partners from industry and academia located in ten Member
States, working on the integration of nanostructures with CMOS (complementary metal–oxide–
semiconductor) chips in order to improve the range of functionality on a nano scale59. The
partners concentrated on “ultra-sensitive nano-sensors capable of detecting signals in
molecules; nano-structures for harvesting energy for the development of autonomous nano-
systems; nano-devices for spot cooling of integrated circuits; and nano-devices for radio-
frequency (RF) communication”60.
• ACROPOLIS61 (Advanced coexistence technologies for radio optimisation in licensed and
unlicensed spectrum) was established in 2010 with mainly academia partners. Its objective is to
“maximise the potential of wireless communications systems” and “to reduce the fragmentation
of research in Europe on coexistence technologies such as spectrum sharing and cognitive radio”.
It has received an EU research funding contribution of EUR 3 million.62
European research is also being co-ordinated through collaboration on the development, establishing
and running of large research infrastructures, so large that they cannot easily be funded by one
agency or country alone. Under the auspices of the European Strategic Forum on Research
Infrastructures (ESFRI)63, Member States are coming together to fund infrastructures related to ICT,
energy, health and other fields. EU grants support the preparatory phases of all selected projects
and assist in implementation and operation of prioritised projects. There was EU funding of EUR 1.85
billion in FP7 and about EUR 2.5 billion in Horizon 2020. Research infrastructures relevant to ICT
include the project Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe (PRACE) 64 and the European
Magnetic Field Laboratory (EMFL) 65, which form part of the infrastructure needed to enable ICT
applications of nanotechnology.

57
http://www.chistera.eu/
58
http://www.era-platform.eu/era-nets/ict-agri/
59
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/95145_en.html
60
http://cordis.europa.eu/programme/rcn/853_en.html
61
http://www.ict-acropolis.eu/.
62
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/95593_en.html
63
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infrastructures/index_en.cfm?pg=home
64
http://www.prace-project.eu/
65
www.emfl.eu

25
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Other mechanisms to support research and innovation in nanotechnology and ICT are outlined in
the section on Other EU Policies: Industry, later in this chapter. They include:
• EUREKA’s Eurostars;
• European Technology Platforms; and
• Joint Technology Initiatives (and Joint Undertakings).

The next section reports on funding and participation data for the Sixth and Seventh EU Framework
Programmes, FP6 and FP7.

26
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

3.2 The EU Framework Programme: funding and participation data for FP6 and
FP7

3.2.1 Overview
Project-related data was extracted from the eCorda database for the EU Sixth Framework
Programme (FP6) and the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)66. The total number of projects
was 35,265, of which 25,238 were FP7 projects and 10,027 were FP6 projects. There were 210,177
participations, of which 133,615 were in FP7 and 76,562 were in FP6.
From the initial set of 35,265 projects, 4,143 were found to be related to nanotechnology in that
they contained, in the title or abstract of the project, the term “nano” 67 or another relevant term68.
Thus, nanotechnology projects form over 10% of the total FP projects. The share of nanotechnology
projects increased slightly between FP6 (10.4%) and FP7 (12.3%).
75% of the 4,143 projects were FP7 projects and 25% were FP6 projects. The relative shares of
nanotechnology projects were similar to those found for FP projects in general (72% in FP7 and 28%
in FP6).
Table 3-1:Number of projects and shares for total projects and for nanotechnology

Total FP7 FP6

FP total Number of FP Projects 35,265 25,238 10,027
Share of FP Projects (total) 100% 71.6% 28.4%
Nanotechnology Number of FP Projects 4,143 3,096 1,047
Share of FP Projects (NT) 100% 74.7% 25.3%
Share of nanotechnology of total FP (projects) 11.7% 12.3% 10.4%

Number and share of ICT nanotechnology projects

The number of projects (in FP6 and FP7 together) that were related to both ICT and nanotechnology
was determined using a keyword search69, to be 1,307, approximately 32% of the total number of
projects related to nanotechnology. The percentages of ICT nanotechnology projects were very
similar in FP7 (31.9%) and FP6 (30.5%).
Projects in FP7 comprised over 75% of all ICT nanotechnology with less than 25% of projects being
in FP6. The proportion of FP7 projects is slightly higher than for either nanotechnology projects
(74%) or FP projects (72%), that for FP6 ICT NT being lower.

66
It should be noted that the FP7 projects may not represent the total number of projects that will take
place during FP7 but include only the projects funded up until the date when the extraction of data
from eCorda was made (January 2015).
67
The term “nano” could appear as a part of a word (e.g. nanotechnology, nanoscience, nanomaterial,
nanoscale), as a part of compound word separated with hyphen (e.g. nano-science) or as an independent
word “nano”.
68
Unlike the other sectors considered by the project (HT, EN, PH, MF), for ICT additional projects were
identified by use of keywords such as graphene. These were judged to be too important in ICT to be
omitted. This did, however, result in the total number of nanotechnology projects being different for ICT
(4,143) and the other sectors (3,544).
69
See Annex for details of keywords

27
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Table 3-2: Number of projects and shares for nanotechnology and ICT nanotechnology

Numbers of projects
Total FP7 FP6
Total FP projects, all topics 35,265 25,238 10,027
Nanotechnology FP projects 4,143 3,096 1,047
ICT nanotechnology FP projects 1,307 988 319

Shares (number of projects)

Total FP7 FP6
Total FP projects, all topics 100% 71.6% 28.4%
Nanotechnology (NT) FP projects 100% 74.4% 25.6%
ICT NT FP projects 100% 75.6% 24.4%
ICT NT projects as % of all NT 31.5% 31.9% 30.5%
projects
ICT NT projects as % of all FP 3.7% 3.9% 3.2%
projects

Funding of ICT nanotechnology projects

The 1,307 nanotechnology ICT projects received an EC contribution of EUR 2,655 million. The EC
contribution for ICT projects was EUR 655 million (24.7%) in FP6 and EUR 2 billion (75.3%) in FP7.
In FP6, the EC contribution for nanotechnology and ICT represented 33.4% of the total
nanotechnology EC contribution, whereas in FP7 it was 35.3% indicating a relative small increase of
ICT-related funding within nanotechnology funding, as shown in the figure below.

9,000.0 35.5%
35.3%
8,000.0
35.0%
Share of EC contribution (%)

34.8%
EC contribution (MEUR)

7,000.0
34.5%
6,000.0

5,000.0 4,978.2 34.0%

4,000.0 3,671.7 33.5%

33.4%
3,000.0
33.0%
2,000.0
2,655.2 1,306.6 32.5%
1,000.0 2,000.1
655.2
0.0 32.0%
Total FP6-7 FP7 FP6

ICT (MEUR) Rest of NT (MEUR) ICT share of NT (%)

Figure 3-1: Funding of ICT nanotechnology for FP6 and FP7 together, for FP7 and for FP6

28
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

3.2.2 Activities by programme and sub-programme

3.2.2.1 FP6 ICT nanotechnology activities
There were 1,047 nanotechnology projects in FP6, approximately 10.4% of the total number of
projects in FP6. Of those, 319 were ICT-related, 30.5% of FP6 nanotechnology projects and 3.2%
of FP6 projects as a whole.
FP6 was structured in three main blocks of activities:
1) Focusing and integrating the ERA - divided into Thematic Priorities and Specific Activities;
2) Structuring the ERA – including research and innovation, research mobility, infrastructure
development and science and society; and
3) Strengthening the ERA – for co-ordination and policy activities.
There was, in addition, the EURATOM activity.
In FP6, projects specific to nanotechnology and ICT made up approximately 33.4% of all
nanotechnology activities as measured by EC funding allocation. They took place mainly under the
priority of Focusing and integrating the ERA. In fact, 89.3% of all funding for ICT activities under
FP6 came from this priority. The remaining 10.7% was funded under Structuring the ERA.

Table 3-3: FP6 ICT nanotechnology activities by programme and sub-programme

Number of projects EC contribution (MEUR) Share of EC contribution

FP6 Summary
FP6 FP6 FP6 FP6
FP6 FP6 FP6 NT FP6 FP6 NT
NT ICT ICT ICT

I Focusing and Integrating ERA 4,735 535 174 13,445.0 1,618.5 584.7 80.5% 82.5% 89.3%

Thematic Priorities 3,374 461 163 12,027.5 1,543.4 574.7 72.1% 78.7% 87.7%

1. Life Sciences 602 21 1 2,336.5 64.1 10.0 14.0% 3.3% 1.5%

2. Information Society 1,089 135 97 3,798.9 525.3 370.9 22.8% 26.8% 56.6%

3. NMP 444 283 58 1,534.2 896.9 163.9 9.2% 45.7% 25.0%

4. Aeronautics and Space 241 8 4 1,066.1 23.1 13.6 6.4% 1.2% 2.1%

5. Food Quality and Safety 189 0 0 754.2 0.0 0.0 4.5% 0.0% 0.0%

6. Sustainable Development 666 11 3 2,300.9 31.7 16.3 13.8% 1.6% 2.5%

7. Citizens and Governance 143 3 0 236.6 2.4 0.0 1.4% 0.1% 0.0%

Specific Activities 1,361 74 11 1,417.5 75.1 10.0 8.5% 3.8% 1.5%

Policy Support 520 32 5 604.2 44.1 5.7 3.6% 2.2% 0.9%

Horizontal Research Involving SMEs 490 33 5 463.1 27.5 4.2 2.8% 1.4% 0.6%

International Co-operation 351 9 1 350.3 3.5 0.1 2.1% 0.2% 0.0%

II Structuring the European

5,096 508 145 2,744.2 327.2 70.4 16.4% 16.7% 10.7%
Research Area

Research and Innovation 240 3 0 224.0 3.9 0.0 1.3% 0.2% 0.0%

Human Resources and Mobility 4,546 478 141 1,723.1 243.0 61.3 10.3% 12.4% 9.4%

Research Infrastructures 147 17 3 717.6 74.3 8.8 4.3% 3.8% 1.4%

Science and Society 163 10 1 79.5 6.0 0.2 0.5% 0.3% 0.0%

III Strengthening the ERA 118 3 0 317.3 8.0 0.0 1.9% 0.4% 0.0%

Co-ordination of Activities 99 3 0 303.8 8.0 0.0 1.8% 0.4% 0.0%

Research & Innovation Policies 19 0 0 13.5 0.0 0.0 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%

EURATOM 78 1 0 185.7 8.0 0.0 1.1% 0.4% 0.0%

TOTAL 10,027 1,047 319 16,692.3 1,961.7 655.2 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

29
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Within these Thematic Priorities:

• Information Society had 97 projects and EUR 370.9 million of EC funding (56.6% of the total),
the largest amount of nanotechnology ICT funding;
• NMP (Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge based multi-functional materials and new
production processes and devices) had 25% of the total (EUR 163.9 million) for 58 projects;
• Human Resources and Mobility had the highest number of projects (141), which amounted to
9.4% of all ICT funding, with EUR 61.3 million;
• Other programmes which gathered EC funding were Sustainable Development (2.5%),
Aeronautics and space (2.1%), Life Sciences (1.5%), Research Infrastructures (1.4%), Policy
Support (0.9%) and Horizontal Research Involving SMEs (0.6%).

3.2.2.2 FP7 ICT nanotechnology activities

ICT nanotechnology projects comprised 3.9% of the total number of projects in FP7 70 and, with 988
ICT nanotechnology projects, 31.9% of FP7 nanotechnology projects. Nanotechnology activities
make up approximately 12% of the total EC FP7 funding to date, and ICT NT activities 35.3% of NT
funding and 4.5% of total FP7 funding.
The broad objectives of FP7 group into four categories:
• Co-operation;
• Ideas;
• People; and
• Capacities.
The largest proportion of funding for ICT nanotechnology is seen under the Co-operation Specific
Programme ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) with EUR 921.8 million (46.1% of
total nano ICT funding in FP7) for 256 projects.
European Research Council, under the Ideas Specific Programme, has the next highest funding with
EUR 376.2 million (18.8%) for 207 projects. NMP (10.2% of funding), Marie-Curie Actions (10%),
and Joint Technology Initiatives (8.3%) followed in terms of EC funding allocated to ICT
nanotechnology.
Health, Energy, Environment, Transport, Socio-Economic Sciences, Space, Security, Research
Infrastructures, Research for the Benefit of SMEs, Regions of Knowledge, Research Potential and
International Co-operation accounted for the remaining 6.6% of all EC funding in ICT
nanotechnology.

70
Data extraction January 2015

30
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Table 3-4: FP7 ICT nanotechnology activities by programme and sub-programme

Number of projects EC contribution (MEUR) Share of EC contribution

FP7 Summary
FP7 FP7
FP7 FP7 FP7 NT FP7 ICT FP7 FP7 NT FP7 ICT
NT ICT

COOPERATION 7,834 976 388.0 28,336.3 3,565.9 1,383.1 63.1% 62.9% 69.2%

Health 1,008 38 6 4,791.7 168.1 15.3 10.7% 3.0% 0.8%

Food, Agri and Bio 516 25 0 1,850.7 97.1 0.0 4.1% 1.7% 0.0%

ICT 2,328 330 256 7,877.0 1,169.3 921.8 17.5% 20.6% 46.1%

NMP 805 427 56 3,238.6 1,649.3 203.1 7.2% 29.1% 10.2%

Energy 368 32 11 1,707.4 106.9 33.9 3.8% 1.9% 1.7%

Environment 494 12 2 1,719.3 29.2 2.2 3.8% 0.5% 0.1%

Transport 719 21 9 2,284.2 78.8 17.3 5.1% 1.4% 0.9%

Socio-economic Sciences 253 2 2 579.6 2.4 2.4 1.3% 0.0% 0.1%

Space 267 22 11 713.3 44.2 17.9 1.6% 0.8% 0.9%

Security 314 6 1 1,295.5 16.4 2.3 2.9% 0.3% 0.1%

General Activities 26 0 0 312.7 0.0 0.0 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%

Joint Technology Initiatives 736 61 34 1,966.4 204.1 167.0 4.4% 3.6% 8.3%

IDEAS 4,525 654 207 7,673.5 1,173.2 376.2 17.1% 20.7% 18.8%

European Research Council 4,525 654 207 7,673.5 1,173.2 376.2 17.1% 20.7% 18.8%

PEOPLE 10,716 1,305 371 4,777.5 657.7 201.0 10.6% 11.6% 10.0%

Marie-Curie Actions 10,716 1,305 371 4,777.5 657.7 201.0 10.6% 11.6% 10.0%

CAPACITIES 2,025 160 22 3,772.0 273.9 39.8 8.4% 4.8% 2.0%

Research Infrastructures 341 20 3 1,528.4 79.7 8.4 3.4% 1.4% 0.4%

Research for the benefit of SMEs 1,028 78 10 1,249.1 99.9 15.7 2.8% 1.8% 0.8%

Regions of Knowledge 84 4 1 126.7 7.3 2.8 0.3% 0.1% 0.1%

Research Potential 206 28 5 377.7 57.8 11.4 0.8% 1.0% 0.6%

Science in Society 183 16 0 288.4 16.5 0.0 0.6% 0.3% 0.0%

Research Policies 26 0 0 28.3 0.0 0.0 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%

International Cooperation 157 14 3 173.4 12.7 1.5 0.4% 0.2% 0.1%

EURATOM 138 1 0 358.1 1.1 0.0 0.8% 0.0% 0.0%

Fusion 4 0 0 5.2 0.0 0.0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Fission 134 1 0 352.8 1.1 0.0 0.8% 0.0% 0.0%

TOTAL 25,238 3,096 988 44,917.3 5,671.8 2,000.1 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

31
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

3.2.3 Activities by participant type

The table below shows the participations in FP6 and FP7 for the Higher Education Sector (HES),
Public Research Organisations (PROs), large companies (PCO), SMEs and other organisations. As
well as the number of participations (Particip.), the table shows the total EC funding and share of
funding for each, for all FP6 and FP7, for nanotechnology and for ICT nanotechnology.
Table 3-5: Participations in FP6 and FP7 including funding and share of funding 71

Total FP6 and FP7 NT in FP6 and FP7 ICT in NT in FP6 and FP7
EC Share of EC Share of EC Share of
Particip. Particip. Particip.
Funding Funding Funding Funding Funding Funding

HES 76,777 25,736.0 41.8% 9,145 3,552.5 46.6% 3,136 1,190.9 44.9%

REC 53,384 17,304.4 28.1% 5,564 2,175.2 28.5% 1,775 778.9 29.3%

PCO 25,067 7,021.3 11.4% 2,893 810.2 10.6% 1,196 418.6 15.8%
SME 29,428 6,882.6 11.2% 3,687 878.2 11.5% 820 199.3 7.5%

Other 24,961 4,626.8 7.5% 1,262 210.3 2.8% 351 67.5 2.5%

Total 209,617 61,571.1 100.0% 22,551 7,626.4 100.0% 7,278 2,655.3 100.0%

Higher education institutes (HES) received close to half (44.9%) of the EC contribution to
nanotechnology and ICT, as shown in the table above and the figure below. They are followed by
research organisations (REC, 29.3%), large companies (PCO, 15.8%), small and medium-sized
companies (SME, 7.5%) and other organisations (OTH, 2.5%).

Figure 3-2: Shares of EC contribution by organisation type for nanotechnology and ICT
The proportion of funding going to organisations in the higher education sector (44.9%) is only
slightly lower than that corresponding to their share of nanotechnology funding (46.6%), and higher

71
The EC contribution in eCorda projects and the participant database differ by a small amount. The figures
reported here for participants therefore do not exactly match those for projects in previous sections.

32
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

than their share for FP funding overall (41.8%). The relative importance of HES rose from 39.6% in
FP6 to 46.6% of all ICT funding in FP7.
For research organisations, their share dropped from FP6 (33.4%) to FP7 (28%). The proportion
going to companies rose from FP6 to FP7 (from 14.3% to 16.2% in the case of PCOs; and from 5.4%
to 8.2% for SMEs).
Overall, the participant types are rather aligned with those of NT and FP. The only significant
differences occur for large companies (where the percentage of EC funding is higher for ICT), and
SMEs, where the opposite is true.

3.2.4 Activity by organisations receiving funding

The organisations receiving the largest amounts of funding for ICT nanotechnology activities were
the CEA72 (FR) (EUR 105.44 million for 156 projects); the CNRS73 (FR) (EUR 100.4 million for 193
projects); IMEC74 (BE) (EUR 72.63 million for 110 projects) and Fraunhofer75 (DE) (EUR 71.7 million
for 113 projects). See table below.
Out of the top 25 recipients, 10 were higher education institutions, 9 were research organisations,
and 6 were companies. The top ten are from France (3), Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the UK,
the Netherlands, Sweden and Italy. The companies STMicroelectronics, Infineon Technologies, IBM
Research GmbH and Philips all feature in the top 25 organisations receiving funding.
The second table below indicates the most active companies in FP ICT nanotechnology projects by
funding. In this sector, none of the 25 most relevant companies were SMEs.
The French-Italian company group STMicroelectronics, which has its headquarters in Geneva,
Switzerland, obtained over EUR 80 million in 100 projects through its different companies
(STMicroelectronics Crolles 2 SAS, STMicroelectronics SRL, STMicroelectronics S.A. and
STMicroelectronics Grenoble 2 SAS). There are also the groups of companies of Philips (NL and DE)
Infineon (DE, AT) with over 40 projects and EUR 26 million each. IBM Research GmbH (DE) and
Thales SA (FR) received between EUR 16 and 17 million. The rest of the companies in the top 25
received less than EUR 10 million.

72
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic
Energy Commission www.cea.fr
73
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the National Centre for Scientific Research www.cnrs.fr
74
Interuniversitair Micro-Elektronica Centrum Vzw, www.imec.be
75
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. www.fraunhofer.de

33
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Table 3-6: Organisations participating in FP6 and FP7, top 25 ranked by funding received

ICT - Top participants Country No. of EC Share of

Projects Funding ICT
(MEUR) Funding

1 CEA76 FR 156 105.44 4.25%

2 CNRS77 FR 193 100.40 4.05%
3 IMEC78 BE 110 72.63 2.93%
4 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft 79
DE 113 71.70 2.89%
5 EPFL 80
CH 86 50.45 2.04%
6 University of Cambridge UK 83 44.48 1.79%
7 Technische Universiteit Delft NL 63 41.13 1.66%
8 STMicroelectronics Crolles 2 SAS FR 23 39.00 1.57%
9 Chalmers Tekniska Hoegskola AB 81
SE 52 34.12 1.38%
10 CNR82 IT 97 32.15 1.30%
11 Max Planck Gesellschaft83 DE 55 28.18 1.14%
12 ETHZ 84
CH 45 25.18 1.02%
13 VTT 85
FI 43 21.50 0.87%
14 STMicroelectronics SRL IT 48 20.31 0.82%
15 Infineon Technologies AG DE 40 20.04 0.81%
16 STMicroelectronics S.A. FR 24 19.67 0.79%
17 University of Manchester UK 20 19.39 0.78%
18 Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan (KTH)86 SE 33 17.76 0.72%
19 Weizmann Institute of Science87 IL 24 17.71 0.71%
20 Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 88
DE 25 17.64 0.71%
21 CSIC 89
ES 50 17.51 0.71%
22 Brno University of Technology CZ 5 17.29 0.70%
23 IBM Research GmbH CH 33 16.72 0.67%
24 Phillips Electronics Nederland B.V. NL 32 16.61 0.67%
25 Imperial College UK 38 16.49 0.67%

76
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic
Energy Commission www.cea.fr
77
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the National Centre for Scientific Research www.cnrs.fr
78
Interuniversitair Micro-Elektronica Centrum Vzw, www.imec.be
79
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. www.fraunhofer.de
80
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne
www.epfl.ch
81
http://www.chalmers.se/en/About-Chalmers/Pages/default.aspx
82
Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, the Italian National Research Council www.cnr.it
83
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, the Max Planck Society www.mpg.de
84
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich www.ethz.ch
85
Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus, Technical Research Centre of Finland www.vtt.fi
86
https://www.kth.se/en
87
http://www.weizmann.ac.il/pages/
88
http://www.fz-juelich.de/portal/DE/Home/home_node.html
89
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, the Spanish National Research Council www.csic.es

34
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Table 3-7: Companies participating in FP6 and FP7, top 25 ranked by funding received

ICT - Top Company Participants Country NUTS2 SME No. of EC

Projects Funding
FP6-7 (MEUR)
1 STMicroelectonics Crolles 2 SAS FR FR714 23 39.00
2 STMicroelectronics SRL IT ITC45 48 20.31
3 Infineon Technologies AG DE DE21H 40 20.04
4 STMicroelectronics S.A. FR FR105 24 19.67
5 IBM Research GmbH CH CH040 33 16.72
6 Phillips Electronics Nederland B.V. NL NL414 32 16.61
7 Thales SA FR FR105 40 16.31
8 Phillips Technologie GmbH DE DE600 14 9.34
9 NXP Semiconductor Nederlands BV NL NL414 24 8.23
10 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft DE DE212 15 6.75
11 AMS AG AT AT221 12 6.10
12 Infineon Technologies Austria AG AT AT211 15 6.03
13 S.O.I.Tec Silicon on Insulator Technologies SA FR FR714 6 5.75
14 Robert Bosch GmbH DE DE115 12 4.83
15 Aixtron SE DE DEA25 11 4.12
16 ON Semiconductor Belgium BVBA BE BE235 9 4.05
17 Airbus Defense and Space GmbH DE DE21H 13 4.01
18 NXP Semiconductors Belgium NV BE BE242 13 3.95
19 Telefonica Investigacion y Desarrollo SA ES ES300 5 3.92
20 Mapper Lithography B.V. NL NL333 3 3.65
21 Stmicroelectronics Grenoble 2 SAS FR FR714 5 3.46
22 Micron Semiconductor Italia SRL IT ITC45 13 3.46
23 ARM Limited UK UKH12 4 3.39
24 Nokia OYJ FI FI181 9 3.38
25 OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH DE DE232 5 3.34

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

3.2.5 Participation by country

In total, 65 countries took part in ICT nanotechnology projects funded under FP6 and FP7. The top
fifteen are shown in the table below, with funding and shares of funding for each country.
Table 3-8: Top fifteen countries for FP participation ranked by funding received

Rank Country ICT NT funding (MEUR) % of funding

1 DE 504.5 19.0%
2 FR 435.0 16.4%
3 UK 311.3 11.7%
4 IT 202.3 7.6%
5 NL 176.6 6.7%
6 CH 163.0 6.1%
7 BE 139.9 5.3%
8 ES 133.7 5.0%
9 SE 104.7 3.9%
10 AT 88.3 3.3%
11 FI 57.7 2.2%
12 IL 52.7 2.0%
13 EL 50.2 1.9%
14 DK 46.1 1.7%
15 IE 34.3 1.3%
TOTAL 2,500.4 94.2%

Table 3-9: Country ranking by FP funding for top ten in FP, NT and ICT nanotechnology
(Listed in order of received ICT nanotechnology funding, highest at the top of the table)

FP Total Nanotechnology ICT and Nanotechnology

MEUR Rank Share of FP MEUR Rank Share of NT MEUR Rank Share of ICT
DE 10,164.1 1 16.5% 1,395.5 1 18.3% 504.5 1 19.0%
FR 7,319.3 3 11.9% 936.4 3 12.3% 435.0 2 16.4%
UK 9,295.2 2 15.1% 989.3 2 13.0% 311.3 3 11.7%
IT 5,046.5 4 8.2% 615.4 4 8.1% 202.3 4 7.6%
NL 4,438.4 5 7.2% 511.5 6 6.7% 176.6 5 6.7%
CH 2,503.2 8 4.1% 423.9 7 5.6% 163.0 6 6.1%
BE 2,518.0 7 4.1% 327.3 8 4.3% 139.9 7 5.3%
ES 4,200.6 6 6.8% 544.2 5 7.1% 133.7 8 5.0%
SE 2,386.7 9 3.9% 321.3 9 4.2% 104.7 9 3.9%
AT 1,612.2 10 2.6% 204.6 10 2.7% 88.3 10 3.3%
Total 49,484.1 80.4% 6,269.3 82.2% 2,259.4 85.1%

The top three countries accounted for almost half of the total EC funding for ICT nanotechnology
projects. The same three countries, in almost the same order, head the ranking for nanotechnology
projects and for FP projects overall, as seen in the table below. The list is topped by Germany with
a share of 19%, followed by France (16.4%) and the UK (11.7%). Other countries, like Italy, the
Netherlands and Switzerland, follow at a distance.

36
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

The figure below shows the ranking of countries participating in ICT nanotechnology projects. In
most cases, the share of funding for ICT nanotechnology projects is lower than the shares for both
nanotechnology projects and FP projects as a whole. There are some exceptions to this rule, with
France, in particular, and then Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Austria having higher
percentages of funding for ICT nanotechnology. It is worth mentioning the case of France with a
share of funding of ICT nanotechnology projects that is 4.1% higher than its share of funding of
nanotechnology projects. It can be concluded that these countries show a higher specialisation in
the field of ICT nanotechnology.

Figure 3-3: Percentage shares of FP funding by country in FP, NT and ICT nanotechnology
In the figure below (the EC funding for ICT nanotechnology projects in FP6 and FP7 (bars) and the
country shares (points or diamonds), five countries have increased their share of funding for ICT
nanotechnology projects from FP6 to FP7 (The Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden and
Austria). The Netherlands and Switzerland are the most significant cases, as they increased their
shares of funding from 4.6% to 7.3% and from to 4.7% to 6.6%, respectively. Belgium, on the other
hand, reduced its share of funding from 7.2% in FP6 to 4.6% in FP7.

37
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Figure 3-4: EC funding for ICT NT activities in FP6 and FP7 in MEUR and country shares

3.2.6 Snapshot of outputs from FP7

A review was undertaken of 106 FP7 nanotechnology projects reported on via the SESAM system in
which participants themselves report on their project. The projects are random, being the first ones
to report, which they can only do when the project has finished. In addition, the information has not
been normalised to take into account the type and size of project. It is therefore not intended to
present the information here as a rigorous review, only as a snapshot at a point in time of FP7
projects that have reported to date.
In the review of the 106 SESAM reports, it was found that:
• 82% of projects had published work during the project, the total number of publications being
1783 and the average number being almost 17; and
• 32% of projects had applied for patents, a total of 73 patents having been applied for, an average
of 0.7 per project. Of these, 18 have been applied for at the European Patent Office, 20 under
the PCT at WIPO, 6 at the USPTO and 30 at other (national) patent offices.

Of the 106 projects, ten were classified by review as being related to ICT and nanotechnology. Those
ten projects reported outputs of:
• 171 publications, an average of 17 publications per project, the same as for nanotechnology
overall; and
• 6 patent applications, an average of 0.6 per project, slightly less than for nanotechnology overall.
Thus, of the projects under review, ICT nanotechnology projects under FP7 produce the average
number of publications and less than the average patents for nanotechnology FP7 overall, as
captured in the SESAM reports to date.
The next section considers EU policies and programmes that complement the supports for
nanotechnology described previously in this section for the EU Framework Programmes.

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

3.3 Other EU policies and programmes

3.3.1 EU policies and programmes: Industry

Policies related to industry and economic development fall under the Framework Programmes (e.g.
for ICT) and other EU measures (e.g. under the remit of DG Communications Networks, Content and
Technology and DG Enterprise and Industry). Some, addressing ICT, are identified below.
Under FP7, the objective of ICT research funding is to strengthen the science and technology base
to the level of global leadership, to stimulate innovation and creativity in products, processes and
services, and to enhance the use of ICT for public benefit in society and the economy. EUR 921
million have been allocated to the ICT theme under FP7, making this the largest in budgetary terms
under the Co-operation Programme.
The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP)90 (running from 2007 to 2013
with a budget of EUR 3.6 billion) aimed to provide better access to finance and business support to
SMEs. With particular reference to ICT, it supported the take-up and use of ICT. One of the three
sub-programmes dealt with the Information Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme
(ICT-PSP)91. The priority areas include ICT for health, ageing and inclusion, Digital Libraries, ICT for
improved public services, ICT for energy efficiency and smart mobility, Multi-lingual web and Internet
evolution.
A more recent policy is the European Strategy for KETs, particularly relevant for ICT. Key Enabling
Technologies (KETs) are a priority for European industrial policy. The European Strategy for KETs,
which includes micro- and nano-electronics, nanotechnology, photonics (as well as industrial
biotechnology, advanced materials, and advanced manufacturing technologies), aims to increase
the exploitation of KETs in the EU and to reverse the decline in manufacturing to stimulate growth
and jobs. In 2012, the European Commission tabled its strategy to boost the industrial production
of KETs-based products, e.g. innovative products and applications of the future. The strategy seeks
for the EU to keep pace with its main international competitors in industrial capabilities and
capacities, restoring growth in Europe and creating jobs in industry, at the same time addressing
current key societal challenges. The European Commission also identified KETs as a key priority
within its Europe 2020 strategy, and they are seen as essential to Flagship Initiatives such as The
Innovation Union and The Digital Agenda for Europe (see the section on European policies and
programmes: ICT for more on the Digital Agenda).
In accordance with the strategy for KETs, “A European Strategy for micro- and nano-electronic
components and systems”92 has been developed. Its aim is to maintain the EU in a leading position
in designing and manufacturing micro and nano electronics, as well as to create jobs, through: (i) a
European industrial roadmap, involving the whole value chain; (ii) a Joint Technology Initiative (see
below ECSEL); and (iii) measures to improve competitiveness. More concretely, the strategy focuses
on areas including the promotion of capital investment, smart specialisation, access to design and
dialogue among stakeholders.
Research by companies in the EU is also supported through the EUREKA Eurostars93 initiative
established under Article 185 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in
partnership between the European Commission, the Member States and the countries associated
with the Framework Programmes. Eurostars supports European R&D-performing SMEs to
commercialise their research. It helps them to accelerate the time to market of products, processes
and services. It also encourages them to develop and internationalise their business. Funding of up
to EUR 100 million was made available through EUREKA for the period 2008-2013, the EU
contribution comprising a maximum of one third of the funding provided by the participating
countries. Funding for Eurostars has continued with a total public budget of EUR 1.14 billion in 2014-
2020, EUR 861 million of national funding and EUR 287 million of EU funding from Horizon 2020. In
the 39 success stories identified for Eurostars, two relate to nanotechnology, one to IT and telematics
technologies and four to information processing and information systems.

90
http://ec.europa.eu/cip/
91
http://ec.europa.eu/cip/ict-psp/index_en.htm
92
http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/communication-european-strategy-micro-and-nanoelectronic-
components-and-systems
93
https://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Another type of mechanism is the European Technology Platform (ETP)94. ETPs are bottom-up,
industry-led stakeholder fora, the aim of which is to increase interaction between research actors
and to facilitate the development of medium to long-term research and technological goals and
associated roadmaps. They do not fund research projects but are a co-ordination mechanism. ETPs
contribute to design, and update and provide recommendations on the Strategic Research Agenda
on the specific sector with which they are dealing. ETPs now exist across the themes of ICT, energy,
environment, production and processes, transport and the bio-based economy.
Under the ICT themes, the ETPs ARTEMIS, ENIAC, EPoSS, ETP4HPC, euRobotics, NEM, NESSI,
Networld 2020 and Photonics21 are listed. The most relevant for this report include NEM, ETP4HPC
and EPoSS (as well as former ETPs ENIAC and ARTEMIS described below).

• NEM (initially Network and Electronic Media Initiative, now New European Media) 95 was launched
under FP7 to help “the convergence between consumer electronics, broadcasting and telecoms”.
It includes the major stakeholders that together developed a Strategic Research and Innovation
Agenda (SRIA). NEM focuses on digital content; distributed media applications; future media
delivery networks and network services; and new user devices and terminals.
• ETP4HPC (the European Technology Platform for High Performance Computing (HPC)) 96, a
contractual Public Private Partnership under H202097, focuses on: new technologies (HPC stack
elements); system characteristics (extreme scale requirements); and new HPC deployments and
HPC usage expansion.
• EPoSS (the European Technology Platform on Smart Systems Integration)98 provides a common
approach on Innovative Smart Systems Integration and integrated Micro- and Nano-systems
from research to production; defines common future priorities and road maps; mobilises
resources. EPoSS represents the Smart Systems community in the Joint Technology Initiative for
Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (JTI ECSEL). The platform aims to
provide a common European approach on innovative and smart systems integration from
research to production, with an agreed roadmap for action and a strategic R&D agenda and to
provide the resources to deliver the roadmap from public and private sources. EPoSS has
members in over 20 Member States including large companies, SMEs, universities and other
public organisations undertaking research and development.
• Net!works (now called Networld 2020)99, the European Technology Platform for communications
networks and services, supports the development of mobile and wireless, fixed and satellite
communications.
• Photonics21 (a contractual Private Partnership under H2020) focuses on seven priority areas
(e.g. working groups): information and communication; industrial manufacturing and quality;
life sciences and health; emerging lighting, electronics and displays; security, metrology and
sensors; design and manufacturing of components and systems; photonics research, education
and training.
Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) are long-term Public-Private Partnerships managed within
dedicated structures based on Article 187 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
(TFEU). JTIs support large-scale multinational research activities in areas of major interest to
European industrial competitiveness as well as issues of high societal relevance. They are established
in cases where the scale and scope of the initiative make the loose co-ordination through ETPs and
support by the regular instruments of the Framework Programme for Research and Development
insufficient100. Under FP7, six areas were identified for the development of a JTI: Nano-electronics
(ENIAC)101; Embedded Computing Systems (ARTEMIS); Innovative Medicines; Fuel Cells and
Hydrogen; Aeronautics; and GMES (global monitoring for environment and security).

94
http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/index_en.cfm?pg=etp
95
http://nem-initiative.org/what-is-nem/
96
http://www.etp4hpc.eu
97
In 2013, under Horizon 2020, the European Commission launched the contractual Public Private Partnerships
(cPPPs) to leverage more than EUR 6 billion of investments through H2020 calls.
98
http://www.smart-systems-integration.org/public
99
http://networld2020.eu/vision-mission/
100
http://era.gv.at/directory/142
101
Since 2014, ENIAC and ARTEMIS has been replaced by ECSEL (https://ec.europa.eu/digital-
agenda/en/time-ecsel )

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

• ENIAC102, the JTI in nano-electronics. The ENIAC Joint Undertaking was established in February
2008 to co-ordinate European nano-electronics research activities through competitive calls for
proposals. It describes itself as a public-private partnership in nano-electronics strengthening
European competitiveness and sustainability, bringing together the ENIAC Member States, the
European Commission and AENEAS, the association of R&D actors in the field.
• ARTEMIS (Advanced Research & Technology for EMbedded Intelligence and Systems)103 involves
disciplines such as mechanics, electronics, control and software engineering and aims to make
Europe the leader in embedded and cyber-physical systems. ARTEMIS merged into another JTI,
ECSEL, in 2014. The ARTEMIS Industry Association has remained, representing actors in
embedded and cyber-physical systems within Europe. The association represents industry and
the public sector (large companies, SMEs, universities and research institutes) in the ECSEL JU.
• ECSEL is the Joint Technology Initiative for Electronic Components and Systems for European
Leadership104 and is the public-private partnership in electronic components and systems, under
H2020 (covering the topics addressed in FP7 within the ARTEMIS and the ENIAC JTIs and in the
ETP EPoSS). Its consortia are collaborating on projects to develop smart systems; systems and
components for smart energy; smart cities; smart governance; and smart living, including
photonics. The current members of ECSEL are the European Union (through the Commission);
Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon 2020; and three associations (EPoSS 105,
AENEAS and the ARTEMIS Industry Association) representing the actors from the areas of micro-
and nano-electronics, smart integrated systems and embedded/cyber-physical systems.

3.3.2 EU policies and programmes: ICT

Launched in 2010, the Digital Agenda for Europe 106 aims to better exploit the potential of ICT to
foster innovation, growth and progress and contains several initiatives and actions to:
• Strengthen the ICT ecosystem (e.g. finance, procurement, standardisation);
• Develop ICT-based infrastructures (e.g. high-capacity and high-performance communication
network, distributed computing infrastructures, data infrastructures, high-performance
computing (HPC) infrastructures);
• Support emerging technologies research (through incubators – e.g. Future and Emerging
Technologies (FET)107-, Future Networks108, Future Internet Research and Experimentation
Initiative (FIRE)109; and
• Maintain the leadership in components and system (electronics, organic and large era
electronics, photonics, cyber physical system, advanced computing and smart manufacturing).
In 2013, in the context of the Digital Agenda for Europe110, the European Commission launched the
I4MS111 initiative (ICT Innovation for Manufacturing SMEs) as part of the public private partnership
Factories of the Future (PPP FoF)112. I4MS was given a funding contribution of EUR 77 million, taken
from the FoF total budget (EUR 660 million). Involving twelve EU Member States and five Associated
Countries (FYROM113, Israel, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey), this initiative aims to support SMEs
and mid-caps114 (40% of the funds) in the manufacturing sector to provide them access to
competences for the digital transformation, to innovation network and to funding through, for
example, European competence centres/innovation hubs. This is a way to position SMEs and mid-
caps to exploit ICT to modernise Europe's manufacturing capabilities by profiting from the latest

102
http://www.eniac.eu/web/index.php
103
https://artemis-ia.eu/about_artemis.html
104
http://www.ecsel-ju.eu/web/index.php
105
http://www.smart-systems-integration.org/public
106
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/digital-europe
107
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/future-emerging-technologies-fet
108
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/future-internet
109
http://www.ict-fire.eu/home.html
110
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/innovation-ict-manufacturing-smes
111
http://i4ms.eu/projects/projects.php
112
Public Private Partnership Factories of the Future (PPP FoF), established in 2008 and continued also under
H2020, targets in particular SMEs and supports them in tackling global competitiveness by improving the
technological base of manufacturing across a broad range of sectors.
113
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
114
A company with a market capitalisation between USD 2 and USD 10 billion, calculated by multiplying the
number of shares by its stock price.

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

advances in ICT. Some FP7 projects in the field of HPC cloud-based simulation services and intelligent
sensor-based equipment are associated with this initiative (e.g. INTEFIX, FORTISSIMO, CloudFlow
and CloudSME).

3.3.3 EU policies and programmes: Structural and Investment Funds

Four (out of five) European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) provide support for
research and innovation activities:
• The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), for economic regeneration and safeguarding
employment. Its main priorities are the support of small to medium-sized enterprises; the
creation of a low carbon economy; research and innovation; information and communications
technology; environmental protection, climate change adaptation; risk prevention and
management; transport and social inclusion.
• The European Social Fund (ESF), for the enhancement of employment opportunities, social
inclusion and skills, supports skills and training; access to employment for all including women
and migrants; improvement of public services; innovation in SMEs; and access to start-up
capital.
The ERDF and ESF together have a budget of about EUR 280 billion over 2014-2020.
• The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), which aims to strengthen the
links between agriculture, food production and forestry and those performing research and
innovation activities. Groups of collaborators are funded under the European Innovation
Partnership on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability. The Fund has a budget of EUR 95.6
billion over 2014-2020.
• The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) with a budget of EUR 6.4 billion over 2014-
2020 for the development of businesses through research and innovation. It can also fund
research studies for the development of policies for the management of fisheries.
The first two ESI Funds above are the ones most relevant to ICT and nanotechnology, albeit that
the topic is likely to capture only a small part of their budget, particularly in comparison with the
funding available under the Framework Programmes, and the ICT theme in particular.

3.3.4 EU policies and programmes: Cohesion funds

SMART SPECIALISATION AND REGIONAL RDI POLICY
The European Commission's Cohesion Policy aims to reduce differences between regions in Europe
and to ensure growth across the continent. Structural Funds are among the main tools to implement
the policy, and it is within this framework that smart specialisation was introduced. The Smart
Specialisation Strategies (RIS3) 115 aim to focus regional innovation policies on regional priorities
based on existing areas of strength; competitive advantage; and potential for excellence in each
region.
Smart Specialisation is about identifying the unique characteristics and assets of each country and
region, highlighting local competitive advantages, and aligning regional stakeholders and resources
around an excellence-driven vision of their future. It aims to:
• Focus policy support and investments on key national/regional priorities and challenges;
• Build on each country/region’s strengths, competitive advantages and potential for innovation
excellence;
• Exploit potential synergies with other countries and regions;
• Support all forms of innovation, and encourage innovation and experimentation; and
• Stimulate private sector investment;

The next section considers Member State policies and programmes for nanotechnology and ICT.

115
http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/eye-ris3. As of December 2015, 260 regions and countries that prioritise
KETs; out of these there are 7 regions that have set a priority in nanotechnology.

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

4 POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN MEMBER STATES FOR

NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT
While European funding is important for many researchers, it makes up only about 8% of total public
funding for R&D in the European Union. Member States channel the remaining 92% into national
research and development, mostly retaining it within their own borders. However, much of that
funding is employed in projects, the results of which feed into European networks and collaborations.
As Member States chose to prioritise nanosciences and nanotechnologies for funding at European
level, it is hardly surprising that they largely have the same view at national level. While some
countries fund nanotechnology R&D as a designated priority area, others choose to integrate it into
broader programmes.
For ICT and nanotechnology, specific initiatives at Member State level, past or present, include:
Austria: The Austrian NanoInitiative116 (2004-2011, total funding EUR 70 million, administered by
the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)). The initiative works on a collaborative basis across
Austria and trans-nationally with consortia of research institutes, universities and firms working on
problem-driven basic research questions with a medium-term perspective (5-7 years). The focus of
the programme, matching the remit of its funding agency FFG, has been to invest in projects with
considerable market potential and relevant to Austrian companies. The type of activities begun under
the programme are now continuing under the thematic areas FFG’s research funding programmes.
For example, since 2012, nanotechnology is supported, inter alia, via FFG’s thematic research
funding for Production of the Future.
Belgium: In 1984, the Government of Flanders granted EUR 62 million (as an initial investment) to
create the first associated laboratory of IMEC 117 in Leuven/ Louvain (Belgium). IMEC is a research
institute that provides laboratories, facilities and technical support rooms to partners including
industry. For the period 2002-2006, the Government of Flanders contributed EUR 34 million (24%
of IMEC’s total revenue), while IMEC’s revenues from contract research were more than EUR 100
million). In 2007, the Government of Flanders granted around EUR 48 million. IMEC focuses on R&D
in microelectronics, nanotechnology, design methods and technologies for ICT systems.
Denmark: Under the Danish Council for Strategic Research, the Programme Commission on
Strategic Growth Technologies118 has had annual calls of total annual value approximately EUR 10
million for research projects on ICT, nanotechnology and biotechnology. The programme is now
managed by the Innovation Fund Denmark. Between 2005 and 2010, EUR 116 million was allocated
to strategic research centres, research alliances and research projects, EUR 62 million being for
nanotechnology, biotechnology and ICT.
Finland: FinNano, the Finnish nanoscience and nanotechnology programme, was established in
2005 and co-ordinated jointly by Tekes and the Academy of Finland. Over EUR 120 million were
invested by the programme between 2005 and 2010, with the aim of providing support across the
whole innovation chain for nanotechnology from basic research to commercial products. Its goals
for 2006–2009 were to draft “common guidelines for the development of nanotechnology and its
commercial applications” with the joint efforts of business and academia. Work groups were created
for application areas, including for example, ICT and electronics.119 Tekes collaborates also with
China in the China-Finland ICT Alliance through joint calls in the area of ICT, nanotechnology and
‘cleantech’.120
France: The French Agence National de la Recherche (ANR) channels public funding into priority
areas including Nanotechnologies and Manufacturing. Since 2006, the P2N programme121 aims to
strengthen national excellence in the areas of micro and nano-engineering (ranging from core
technologies to systems), and speed up technology transfer to French firms in order to exploit the
potential of the nanotechnologies. Miniaturisation, new technologies and new devices for electronics
and nano-photonics are among the thematic priorities that have been targeted in annual calls. The

116
https://www.ffg.at/nano-das-programm
117
http://www2.imec.be/be_en/about-imec/imec-strategy/mission-and-vision.html
118
http://en.innovationsfonden.dk/strategic-research/
119
http://www.tekes.fi/globalassets/julkaisut/finnano_loppuraportti.pdf
120
http://www.tekes.fi/en/programmes-and-services/grow-and-go-global/china/
121
http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/en/projects-and-results/calls-for-proposals-2013/aap-
en/nanotechnologies-and-nanosystems-p2n-2013/

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

EUR 35 billion economic stimulus package Investissements d’Avenir (Investments for the Future)
was launched at the end of 2009.
Germany: Germany was the first country in Europe to recognise a need for a specific funding
measure for nano-electronics and -photonics, introducing the lead innovation programme “Nanofab”
and “NanoLux” as early as 2001. Even earlier - in 1999 - the German Federal Ministry of Education
and Research (BMBF) launched the Framework Concept for the Production of Tomorrow. The Nanofab
programme ran until 2014 with an overall budget of EUR 403 Million. The main rationale was to
foster the manufacturing industries of Germany in an ever more dynamic and competitive
environment with enhanced mobility of goods, capital and information. The Framework Concept
comprised four thematic fields of action amongst which was the area of production processes and
production equipment (including primary shaping and recasting, chipping, surfaces and layers, heat
treatment, assembling, and measurement engineering). Furthermore, the programme Optical
Technologies (2002-2012, total funding of EUR 275.5 million administered by VDI
Technologiezentrum) supported co-operative R&D projects in the realm of nano-electronics,
information and communication (as well as healthcare systems and biotechnology, environment,
traffic and mobility). Its successor, the Photonics Research programme was launched in 2012 with
a funding of EUR 100 million per annum. It is sub-divided into three fields of action: optical systems,
especially next generation optical systems; innovative applications of light for humans, production
and the environment; and promotion of start-ups and creation of favourable general conditions.
In addition, in Germany at regional level, the Research Strategy of Thuringia (2008) covered
research areas such as photonics; optical technologies, micro- and nano-technologies, micro-
electronics; and information and communication technologies. The main fields of activity of regional
research policy are (i) to support competitiveness; (ii) to strengthen networks; (iii) to support young
researchers; and (iv) to invest in infrastructure.
Italy: The Italian National Research Programme 2004-2006 stressed the importance of
nanotechnology and, among its focus areas, mentioned nano-fabrication and electronics. In
September 2014, MISE (the Ministry for Economic Development) within its FCS (Fondo per la crescita
sostenibile, fund for sustainable growth) allocated EUR 300 million low interest loans (of which 60%
earmarked for SMEs), covering areas including nanotechnology, ICTs, advanced manufacturing, etc.
(only technologies associated with H2020)122.
Lithuania: Since 2012, the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) has actively
promoted innovative start-ups. The High Technology Development Programme (2012) aims to
encourage scientists, researchers and students to establish start-ups or spin-off companies. Thirteen
new companies have obtained public funding (a maximum of EUR 20,000) across high-tech areas
including information technology; nanotechnology; mechatronics; laser technology; and
biotechnology123.
The Netherlands: NanoNed (2004 – 2010, total funding of EUR 235 Million administered by the
Dutch Ministry for Economic Affairs), the Nanotechnology R&D initiative in the Netherlands, has
clustered the Dutch expertise on nanotechnology and enabling technology into a national network.
The NanoNed programme was organised into eleven independent programmes, or flagships,
amongst which were Bottom-up Nano-Electronics and Nano-Fabrication. In 2011, NanoNed was
followed by NanoNextNL124, a consortium of more than a hundred companies, nine knowledge
intensive institutes, six academic medical centres and thirteen universities. Stakeholders collaborate
on fundamental as well as applied research through research projects. NanoNextNL is expected to
grow into an open-innovation ecosystem, with new partners joining the consortium. Industry has
committed to continue its support for NanoNextNL after 2015.
In addition, innovation in the Netherlands is organised under the Top Sector Policy125 announced in
2010. Businesses, researchers and government work closely together in Top consortiums for
Knowledge and Innovation (TKIs). The only policy objective that has been set specifically for the top
sector policy is that public and private parties should participate in the TKIs for an amount of at least
€500 million by 2015, 40% of which should be financed by trade and industry. The formal objective

122
https://rio.jrc.ec.europa.eu/en/country-analysis/Italy/country-report
123
https://rio.jrc.ec.europa.eu/en/country-analysis/Lithuania/country-report
124
http://www.nanonextnl.nl/
125
http://www.hollandhightech.nl/nationaal/innovatie/roadmaps/smart-industry

44
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

set for the top sector policy is that it should contribute to “a stronger innovative capacity in the
Dutch economy.” i.e. that the Netherlands will be ranked among the top five knowledge economies
worldwide by 2020 and will spend 2.5% of GDP on R&D by 2020.
One of the nine top sectors is High Tech Systems and Materials with its roadmap on nanotechnology
(implemented by TKI NanoNext) as an enabling and cross-cutting technology. The aim of the
roadmap is to enable research that will lead to new applications to address the challenges that
society currently faces. Advances in mechatronics and manufacturing are being coupled with those
in nanotechnology for areas including energy efficiency in buildings (energy-efficient building
cooling, heating and lighting control using low cost micro- and nanotechnology-based autonomous
sensors and control systems with local intelligence).
Portugal: The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory126 (INL) was established as the
result of a joint decision of the Governments of Portugal and Spain, in November, 2005. With a total
investment of EUR 46.5 million (of which EUR 30 million came from the European Regional
Development Fund, “Spain – Portugal” Operational Programme, 2007-2013). INL is an international
research organisation in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Established as an
Intergovernmental Organisation (IGRO), the INL is developing itself into a state-of the art research
environment (including nanofabrication facilities) for materials science at nanoscale, nano-
electronics, nano-biotechnology and nanomedicine. In addition to being a facility for researchers in
Portugal and Spain, it hosts those from non-EU countries such as Brazil. Among the key research
activities at INL is nano-electronics (including spintronics, MEMS and nano-devices).
Slovakia: The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports (MESRS) 127 published the Action
Plan for the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation, 2014-2020128. The Action Plan focused on
measures to encourage R&D expenditure of companies and applied research. The Action Plan
identified also seven priority areas that include material research and nanotechnologies (about EUR
42 million) and information and communication technologies (about EUR 10 million). 129
Spain: The Sixth National Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation Plan
(2008-2011) included the Strategic Action for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, New Materials and
New Industrial Processes (SANSNT), which addressed seven priorities, amongst which were nano-
electronics and molecular electronics, optoelectronics and photonics, and semiconductor nano-
structures as well as magnetic information storage and magneto-electronics. Under the Spanish
State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2013-2016, endorsed in February
2013, a number of funding support instruments are available for the development and dissemination
of Key Enabling Technologies, including nanotechnology.
The United Kingdom (UK): In 2002, the UK Government, after issuing the Taylor Report which
recognised the increase of investment in nanotechnology worldwide, allocated GBP 90 million (EUR
131.4 million)130 of funding for the Micro- and Nano-Technology Manufacturing Initiative. This
funding was committed between 2003 and 2007. Approximately one third of this investment went
to Collaborative R&D MNT Projects, and two thirds to capital infrastructure. Generally built on
existing university or business expertise, the twenty-four facilities are targeted at addressing a broad
range of key application areas where micro/nano scale activity is considered key to future UK
industry capability and where the UK has some strength131.
More generally, the main player in UK policy measures related to nanotechnology as a key enabling
technology (KET) is the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and its agency, the
Technology Strategy Board, now called Innovate UK 132. It supports SMEs with high growth potential,
manages the Small Business Research Initiative133 and identified future potential growth sectors and

126
http://inl.int/
127
https://www.minedu.sk/about-the-ministry/
128
http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/regions/SK
129
http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/10157/511834/PPT_Slovakia_Dublin%20FINAL%2026%206
%202014.pdf.
130
Average yearly conversion rate, 2003-2007 (source:
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/eurofxref-graph-gbp.en.html )
131
However, following to an evaluation in 2010, the initiative was judged quite unsuccessful (source:
http://www.cientifica.com/why-has-the-uk-given-up-on-nanotechnology/ )
132
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk
133
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sbri-the-small-business-research-initiative

45
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

commercialisation opportunities. Much of the activity around environment, health and safety in the
UK is under the remit of DEFRA.
The UK Enabling Technologies Strategy 2012-2015134 also addresses four enabling technologies -
advanced materials; biosciences; electronics, sensors and photonics; and information and
communication technology (ICT) to support business in developing high-value products and services
in areas such as energy, food, healthcare, transport and the built environment. Nanotechnology is
identified as having a significant underpinning role across most of these technology areas,
particularly in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

134
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enabling-technologies-strategy-2012-to-2015

46
Table 4-1: Member State policies and programmes for nanotechnology
Country Name of Initiative Dates Relevance Description Target Implementing Budget
Groups Body
(EUR millions)

AT Austrian NANO 2004- Directly Multiannual, funding collaborative R&D, co-ordinating IND SME HEI FFG 70 over 8 years
Initiative135 2011 Targeting NT NANO-related policy measures at national and PRO
regional levels. Since 2012, NT is supported via FFG’s
(NANO) thematic research funding e.g. Production of the
Future

AT ------ From Thematic, not Since 2012, NT R&D is being supported via FFG’s All FFG 450 for all disciplines
2012 NT Specific thematic research funding e.g. Production of the (over the preceding 4
Future years when funding was
managed by BMVIT)

BE IMEC From Thematic, not Since 1984 the Government of Flanders is supporting All Government of Initial investment: 62
1984 NT Specific IMEC research institute Flanders
For every period the
contribution increased
until reaching around
48 in 2011.

DK Strategic Research in From Directly Programme to strengthen research at the bio-nano- IND SME HEI Innovation c. 10 per annum
Growth Technologies136 2005 Targeting NT ICT interface for socio-economic benefit PRO Fund Denmark

FI FinNano137 2005- Directly Multiannual funding for nano S&T to study, exploit IND SME HEI Tekes 70 over 5 years
2009 Targeting NT and commercialise nano. PRO

FR Nanomaterials From Directly Mandatory reporting scheme for nanomaterials of All ANSES n/a
Mandatory Reporting 2013 Targeting NT 100g and above
Scheme138

FR PNANO 2002-5 Directly R&D on IND SME HEI ANR139

Targeting NT PRO and
P2N 2006 -13 Individuals 139.8 for P2N over 8
• Nanotechnologies, Nanodevices, Micro-Nanosystems years
• Simulation and Modelling of Nanosystems
• Nanotechnologies for Biology, Health and Agro-food
• Nanotechnologies for Energy and Environment
• Integrative Research Projects for Nanosystems
FR Investissements From Generic Excellence initiatives including nanobiotechnology IND SME PRO ANR 12 per annum
d’avenir 2011 and bioinformatics

DE Nanotechnology 2004- Directly Five leading-edge innovation programmes including All BMBF 24 over 3 years

135
https://www.ffg.at/nano-aktuell ; https://www.ffg.at/11-ausschreibung-produktion-der-zukunft
136
http://innovationsfonden.dk/en/about-ifd
137
www.tekes.fi
138
https://www.anses.fr/fr/lexique/nanotechnologies
139
http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/
NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Country Name of Initiative Dates Relevance Description Target Implementing Budget

Groups Body
(EUR millions)

Conquers Markets 2006 Targeting NT NanoforLife – pharmaceuticals and medical

DE Nano Initiative – Action 2006- Directly Cross-departmental initiative led by BMBF: to speed All BMBF 640 over 5 years
Plan 2010 Targeting NT up the use of the results of nanotechnological
research for innovations; introduce nanotechnology
to more sectors and companies; eliminate obstacles
to innovation by means of early consultation in all
policy areas; and (4) enable an intensive dialogue
with the public.

DE Innovation Alliances 2007- Directly For strategic long-term co-operation between All BMBF 500 over 6 years
2012 Targeting NT multiple industry and public research partners. Funds
R&D, other innovation-related activities. Public and
private funds are combined in a 1:5 ratio.

IT Fondo per la Crescita 2002- Targeting NT In September 2014 MISE issued the call for industrial Mainly SMEs MISE 300
Sostenibile (FCS) 2004 R&D projects of the FCS, covering the fields of ICTs,
nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, advanced
(Fund for sustainable materials, biotechnology, technologies associated
growth) with the EU Horizon 2020 programme.

LT High Technology 2012- The High Technology Development Programme in SMEs MITA 13 companies obtained
Development Ongoing 2012 aims to encourage scientists, researchers and public funding for a
Programme students to establish start-up or spin-off companies. maximum of around
13 new companies obtained public funding. The high- EUR 20,000 each
tech areas concerned are: information technology,
nanotechnology, mechatronics lasers technology and
biotechnology

NL NanoNed 2004- Directly NanoNed was organised into eleven independent IND SME HEI Dutch Ministry 235 over 8 years
2011 Targeting NT flagships based on regional R&D strength and PRO and for the
industrial relevance, including NanoFabrication and Individuals Economy
NanoElectronics

NL NanoNextNL 2011- Directly Consortium-based system (over one hundred IND SME HEI Dutch Ministry 125 over 5 years
2015 Targeting NT companies, nine knowledge intensive institutes, six PRO and for the
academic medical centres and thirteen universities). Individuals Economy
Stakeholders collaborate on fundamental and applied
research projects. It includes NanoFabrication.

NL Top sectors 2010 to Directly The Top Sector Policy involves government support in IND SME HEI Dutch Ministry Objective for public and
date Targeting NT nine key economic areas (the top sectors) through a PRO for the private sector to
combination of generic (i.e. financial) instruments Economy participate in the Top
and a focused emphasis on achieving optimum Consortia for
cooperation in the „golden triangle‟ formed by Knowledge and
companies, research institutions and government. Innovation (TKIs) for an
The policy works through Top Consortia for amount of at least EUR

48
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Country Name of Initiative Dates Relevance Description Target Implementing Budget

Groups Body
(EUR millions)

Knowledge and Innovation (TKIs). 500 million by 2015,

40% of which from
trade and industry.

ES Strategic Action of 2008- Directly To enhance the competitiveness of industry by IND SME HEI Ministry 33 over 4 years
Nano Science, Nano 2011 Targeting NT generating new knowledge and applications based on PRO
technologies, new the convergence of new technologies, where
materials and new nanotechnology plays a central role.
industrial processes

PT International Iberian 2005 to Directly International research organisation in the field of IND SME HEI Governments 46.5 (of which 30 from
Nanotechnology date Targeting NT nanoscience and nanotechnology, the result of a joint of Portugal and ERDF Spain – Portugal”
Laboratory decision of the Governments of Portugal and Spain. Spain Operational
Becoming a state-of the art research environment Programme) over 7
(including nanofabrication facilities) for nano- years
biotechnology, nano-electronics, nanomedicine and
materials science at nanoscale. INL hosts researchers
from the EU and non-EU countries including Brazil.

SK Action Plan for the 2014- Targeting NT, The Action Plan focused on measures to encourage Industry MESRS Around 42 for
Innovation Strategy for 2020 but not only R&D expenditure of companies and applied research. nanotechnology
Smart Specialisation The Action Plan identified also seven priority areas
(RIS3) 2014-2020 that include material research and nanotechnologies Around 10 for ICT
and information and communication technologies.

UK Micro and 2003- Directly Support for collaborative R&D and capital Industry DTI 329 over 4 years, over
Nanotechnology 2007 Targeting NT infrastructure, co-financed by industry 100 from public funds
Manufacturing
Initiative140

UK UK Nanotechnologies 2009- Directly Targets the ways by which nanotechnologies can IND SME HEI TSB, EPSRC,
Strategy 2012 Targeting NT address major challenges facing society such as PRO BBSRC and
environmental change, ageing and growing MRC
populations, and global means of communication and
information sharing.

UK Key Enabling 2012- NT as Addresses four enabling technologies - advanced Business Innovate UK GBP 20m a year in
Technologies Strategy 2015 Underpinning materials; biosciences; electronics, sensors and mainly higher-risk, early-stage
Technology photonics; and information and communication innovation across
technology (ICT) to support business in developing advanced materials;
high-value products and services in areas such as biosciences; electronics,
energy, food, healthcare, transport and the built sensors and photonics;
environment. Nanotechnology is identified as having

140
http://www.innovateuk.org/

49
NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Country Name of Initiative Dates Relevance Description Target Implementing Budget

Groups Body
(EUR millions)

a significant underpinning role across most of these and ICT

technology areas, particularly in the healthcare and
life sciences sectors.

50
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

5 POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN OTHER COUNTRIES141

5.1 Europe

5.1.1 Non-EU Member States

5.1.1.1 Norway
From 2002 to 2011, Norway addressed nanotechnology for ICT through its Programme on
Nanotechnology and New Materials (NANOMAT)142 with ‘ICT inclusive microsystems’ being one of its
thematic investment areas. It covered, for example, nanomaterials and nanocomponents for
electronics, data storage, optics, sensors, actuators and radio frequency components; integration of
nanomaterials into sensors and actuators; nano-structuring; and nano-fluidics143.
In 2012, a follow-on programme to run until 2021 was initiated, the Nanotechnology and Advanced
Materials Programme (NANO2021)144. Managed by the Research Council of Norway145, this large-
scale programme covers research on nanoscience, nanotechnology, micro-technology and advanced
materials. The programme is designed to further raise the level internationally of the Norwegian
knowledge base in nanotechnology and advanced materials. NANO2021 receives funding from the
Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The annual budget in
the period 2013-2021 has been set at NOK 92.1 million (EUR 10 million146)147.

5.1.1.2 The Russian Federation

The Russian Federation came comparatively late to nanotechnology as a topic for research,
development and innovation policy. It was only in 2007 that a comprehensive government effort in
the field began with the launch, in April of that year, of a strategy for the development of the ‘nano-
industries’. The strategy was to be realised through a series of Federal Target Programmes, amongst
which was one specifically dedicated to the development of nanotechnology and the creation of new
government bodies for that purpose. The main focus of Russian nanotechnology efforts since that
time has been on the development of a domestic infrastructure for nanotechnology research and
development as well as for innovation, commercialisation and manufacturing of nano-products. This
is expected to remain the major theme for the coming years.
State institutions have been the principal actors in the field of nanotechnology in Russia for the
intervening period. The State Corporation, RUSNANO, has had primary responsibility for the
development of nanotechnology innovation and its commercialisation. RUSNANO was the outcome
of a re-organisation in 2011 of the State “Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies” that was
established in 2007. It was set up as one of several State Corporations intended to lead the economic
modernisation that was proposed in the Concept for the Long-Term Socio-Economic Development of
the Russian Federation.
RUSNANO now combines an open joint-stock company and a Fund for Infrastructure and Educational
Programmes (FIEP). It had capital funding in 2008-2009 of over USD 4 billion (EUR 2.8 billion148)
but this dropped to USD 2.6 billion (EUR 1.9 billion149) by the end of 2010, falling further thereafter.
A gradual privatisation of RUSNANO began in 2011. The mission of RUSNANO is to grow the national
nanotechnology industry through the commercialisation of nanotechnology and the co-ordination of
nanotechnology-related innovation. It acts as a co-investor in nanotechnology projects having
substantial economic or social potential.

141
The UN method of classifying countries by macro geographical (continental) regions and geographical sub-
regions was followed (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm )
142
http://www.forskningsradet.no/prognett-
nano2021/Artikkel/About_the_programme/1253970633592?lang=en
143
http://www.forskningsradet.no/prognett-nanomat/Programme_description/1226993562834
144
http://www.forskningsradet.no/servlet/Satellite?c=Page&pagename=nano2021%2FHovedsidemal&cid=1253
969916237&langvariant=en
145
http://www.forskningsradet.no
146
At the current exchange rate, October 2015
147
Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials – NANO2021: Work Programme
148
Average yearly conversion rate, 2008-2009 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
149
Average yearly conversion rate, 2010 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )

51
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

RUSNANO has a very wide range of activities spanning from research to foresight to infrastructure,
education, standards and certification. Its research projects fall under six clusters, some of them
relevant to ICT, such as the optoelectronics and nano-electronics cluster. As of October 2010, fifteen
out of 83 industrial investment projects had been on nano-photonics, as well as seven on nano-
electronics150.
5.1.1.3 Switzerland
Basic (fundamental) research is funded at national level through the Swiss National Science
Foundation (SNF) and the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) and takes place mainly
in the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and the universities, as well as some 30 research
organisations. Applied research and the transfer of research to market innovation takes place in
industry and “Fachhochschulen” (Universities of Applied Research). Two-thirds of R&D investment
(which in Switzerland is almost at the EU target of 3% of GDP) comes from private industry.
CTI funds the Swiss MNT network (micro and nanotechnology) as one of the core innovative themes
of national and international importance151. The Swiss MNT Network is an R&D consortium of the
major public R&D institutions in micro and nanotechnology whose goal is to simplify access to
industries looking for competences and expertise for their projects152. Members include ETH Zürich,
Hightech Zentrum Aargau, Centre of Micronanotechnology (EPFL), Adolphe Merkle Institute and
companies such as IBM, BASF and Novartis. There are also some regional networks that include
nanotechnology as priority: i-net innovation networks Switzerland – i-net Nano153, and Nano-Cluster
Bodensee154. Most activities are strongly focused on R&D to support industry.

5.2 The Americas

5.2.1 North America

5.2.1.1 Canada
Nanotechnology is promoted in Canada mainly at the level of its Provinces, for example in Alberta,
Quebec and Ontario.
Alberta
The National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) is a research institution located in Edmonton on
the main campus of the University of Alberta. Its primary purpose is nanotechnology research. The
Institute was established in 2001 as a partnership between the National Research Council of Canada
(NRC), the University of Alberta and the Government of Alberta. As an institute of the NRC, its core
funding comes from the Government of Canada and additional funding and research support from
the university, the Government of Alberta and various federal and provincial funding agencies.
Following the announcement in 2007 of the Government of Alberta's Nanotechnology Strategy,
nanoAlberta was created as an implementation organisation for that Strategy. NanoAlberta provides
leadership to and co-ordination of the Province's wide range of capabilities, organisations and
individuals with the aim of gaining a return of CND 20 billion (EUR 13.4 billion 155) in market share
for nano-enabled commerce by 2020.
Quebec
NanoQuébec is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the MEIE (Ministère de l'Économie, de
l'Innovation et des Exportations du Québec). Its mission is to strengthen nanotechnology innovation,
increase its diffusion and raise both capabilities and capacities in the Province in order that Quebec
becomes a centre of excellence for nanotechnology. The overarching and long-term aim is that of
maximising economic impacts from nanotechnology in Quebec. Since December 2014, following a

150
Anatoly Chubais, RUSNANO Chief Executive Officer, “RUSNANO: fostering Innovations in Russia through
Nanotechnology”, USRBC 18th Annual Meeting, October 2010, San Francisco, California, USA,
https://www.usrbc.org/pics/File/AM/2010/Presentations/Chubais_GB_830.ppt.pptx
151
https://www.kti.admin.ch/kti/en/home/unsere-foerderangebote/Unternehmen/internationale-netzwerke-
und-forschungskooperationen-neu/spezialthema-japan-schweiz1/foerderlandschaft-schweiz.html
152
http://www.swissmntnetwork.ch/content/
153
http://www.i-net.ch/nano/
154
http://www.ncb.ch/wordpress_neu/
155
Current conversion rates, October 2015

52
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

merger with the Consortium Innovation Polymères, NanoQuébec has formed part of Prima Québec,
Quebec’s advanced materials research and innovation hub.
Quebec’s Nano Action Plan 2013-2018156 specifically targets four priority sectors: microsystems,
health, industrial materials and forestry. It covers infrastructure, financing of innovation, knowledge
transfer and technology transfer, and national and international outreach horizontally across the four
priority areas.
Via a central point (QNI or Quebec Nanotechnology Infrastructure), it co-ordinates and provides
infrastructure for 300 experts using a fund of CND 300 million (EUR 200 million157). QNI has
particular strengths in micro-nanofabrication, characterisation, synthesis and modelling. Other
infrastructure can be accessed but is not funded via QNI.
The Action Plan has also led to the financing of technological feasibility projects (maximum six
months); collaborative industry/university research projects (one to two years); and international
research projects with strategic NanoQuébec partners. Knowledge and technology transfer are
supported through training, industry internships, and dissemination and awareness activities; by
establishing networks and by organising interactive visits by experts. Outreach actions aim to attract
new projects and finance to Quebec and to increase the engagement in international projects by
people from Quebec.
NanoQuébec collaborates with Prompt, a non-profit corporation whose mission is to encourage
university and industry collaboration in R&D with a particular focus on ICT industry as ICT-related
innovation is considered important for the economy of Quebec (which has 5,000 related companies
with about 140,000 employees).158
Ontario
An ICT-related initiative, but with its main focus on photonics, took place also in Ontario. The
Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC) 159 opened in 2005 as a partnership between the
National Research Council and Carleton University. Its aim is to support the growth of the photonics
sector in Canada. The Canadian government and the province of Ontario contributed CDN 30 million
(EUR 45 million)160 and CDN 13 million (EUR 19.5 million) respectively to the capital cost of the
building and equipment. The CPFC is located at the NRC laboratories and the NRC covered the
operating costs of the facility.
5.2.1.2 The United States of America (US)
The National Nanotechnology Initiative161 was launched in 2000 across a group of eight Federal
agencies with some responsibility for nanotechnology research, application and/or regulatory
activity, and has grown to include 25 Federal agencies. It aims to create collaborations and bring
together expertise to work on shared goals, priorities, and strategies thereby leveraging the
resources of the participating agencies. The goals of the NNI Goals are to advance world-class
nanotechnology research and development; foster the transfer of new technologies into products for
commercial and public benefit; develop and sustain educational resources, a skilled workforce and
the supporting infrastructure and tools to advance nanotechnology; and support the responsible
development of nanotechnology.
The NNI is managed within the framework of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC),
a cabinet-level council under the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House. The
Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the NSTC facilitates
planning, budgeting, programme implementation and review across the NNI agencies. The National
Nanotechnology Co-ordination Office (NNCO) was established in 2001 to provide technical and
administrative support to the NSET Subcommittee, serve as a central point of contact for Federal
nanotechnology R&D activities and perform public outreach on behalf of the National Nanotechnology
Initiative.
The NSET Subcommittee is composed of representatives from agencies participating in the NNI and

156
http://www.nanoquebec.ca/media/plan-action_en1.pdf
157
Current conversion rates, October 2015.
158
http://www.promptinc.org/en/about-us/prompt-at-a-glance/
159
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/solutions/facilities/prototyping_index.html
160
Average rate 2005, CDN 1.5 to EUR 1.00 (www.x-rates.com )
161
http://www.nano.gov/

53
 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

NSET has Working Groups on Global Issues in Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology Environmental &
Health Implications; Nano-manufacturing, Industry Liaison, & Innovation; and Nanotechnology
Public Engagement and Communications.
In February 2014, the National Nanotechnology Initiative released a Strategic Plan 162 outlining
updated goals and five "programme component areas" (PCAs). The goals focus on extending the
boundaries of research; fostering the transfer of technology into products; developing and sustaining
skilled people (with the right infrastructure and toolset) for nanotechnology; and supporting
responsible development of nanotechnology. The five PCAs include a set of five Nanotechnology
Signature Initiatives (NSIs) as well as PCAs for foundational research; nanotechnology-enabled
applications, devices, and systems; research infrastructure and instrumentation; and environment,
health, and safety. The five Nanotechnology Signature Initiatives (NSIs) are also relevant to ICT (for
example, nano-electronics, nanotechnology for sensors and sensors for nanotechnology.
The 2014 NNI Strategic plan also identifies the different priorities and interests of
departments/agencies, for example, nanotechnology and ICT are relevant to:
• Intelligence Community (IC)/Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) with reference
to ultralow-power non-volatile memory for saving power in data centres and satellites; and
• Department of Defence (DoD) (quantum information science, communications and information
processing systems needed for persistent surveillance).
The NNI's budget supplement proposed by the Obama administration for Fiscal Year 2015 provided
for USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.2 billion163) of funding. Cumulative NNI investment since fiscal year 2001,
including the 2015 request, totals almost USD 21 billion (EUR 17 billion164). Cumulative investments
in nanotechnology-related environmental, health, and safety research since 2005 is nearly USD 900
million (EUR 680 million165). The Federal agencies with the largest investments are the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy, the
Department of Defence, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Some of the above-mentioned institutions (like NIST, with its main focus on measurement sciences
and standards development) have areas dedicated to nanoscience and nanotechnology (for NIST
including nano-electronics and nanoscale electronics and nano-magnetics) as well as to information
technology and electronics and telecommunications166. The latter includes optoelectronics, quantum
information, semiconductors, sensors and microelectronics. Information Technology Manufacturing
at NIST167 encompasses subject areas including nano-manufacturing, green manufacturing, robotics,
systems integration, etc. NIST also provides facilities to support production, through the Centre for
Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST)168, established in 2007. The CNST facilitates access to
commercial state-of-the-art nanoscale measurement and fabrication tools through its NanoFab. One
focus area is Future Electronics.
Another important actor active in nanotechnology is the NSF. This federal agency, with an annual
budget of USD 7.3 billion (EUR 6.8 billion169) (FY 2015), funds approximately 24% of all federally-
supported basic research (except for medical sciences) conducted by America's colleges and
universities170. With reference to the ICT sector, the Directorate for Computer & Information Science
&Engineering (CISE) is particularly relevant, dealing with advanced cyber-infrastructure, computing
and communications foundations, computer and networks systems, and information and intelligent
systems. CISE is also leader of the National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI)171 in collaboration
with academia and industry, aiming at maximising “benefits of high-performance computing (HPC)
research, development, and deployment”. Also the Directorate of Engineering (ENG), Division
Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems Division (ECCS) is active in the field of ICT, in

162
http://www.nano.gov/sites/default/files/pub_resource/2014_nni_strategic_plan.pdf
163
Average yearly conversion rate, 2015 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
164
Average yearly conversion rate, 2001-2015 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
165
Average yearly conversion rate, 2005-2015 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
166
http://www.nist.gov/electronics-and-telecommunications-portal.cfm
167
http://www.nist.gov/manufacturing-portal.cfm
168
http://www.nist.gov/cnst/index.cfm
169
Current conversion rate, November 2015 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
170
http://www.nsf.gov/about/
171
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/07/29/executive-order-creating-national-strategic-
computing-initiative

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particular with the programmes on electronics, photonics and magnetic devices (EPMD) and
communications, circuits, and sensing-systems (CCSS).
In additional to these Federal initiatives, there exist several policy initiatives at State level172.
Programmes for the promotion of nanotechnologies currently exist in 23 states. Notable examples
are the Texas Emerging Technology Fund173, the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Initiative174, the Illinois
Nanotechnology “Collaboratory”175, and the Oregon Nanoscience and Micro-Technologies Institute
(ONAMI)176. The State-level organisations typically undertake some or all of the following activities:
fostering collaboration on nanotechnology topics and challenges between researchers and research
centres; higher education/industry joint projects; education and outreach; access to technology
experts and infrastructure; early-stage funding and investment opportunities; technology transfer
and commercialisation; and awareness raising in the community.
Finally, an international industry-led initiative relevant for ICT is sponsored by the United States
Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)177 together with the European Semiconductor Industry
Association (ESIA), the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA),
the Korean Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA) and the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry
Association (TSIA). They drafted the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors178 “to
ensure cost-effective advancements in the performance of the integrated circuit and the advanced
products and applications that employ such devices”. 179 The Roadmap focuses on devices (including
3D power scaling, edgeless wrapped materials and CMOS), system integration (e.g. spinwave
devices) and manufacturing (related to nano integrated circuits and big data).

5.2.2 South America

5.2.2.1 Argentina
A first initiative to foster nanotechnology in Argentina was established in 2003 when the national
Science and Technology Secretariat started to organise research networks in the field. In 2004, the
Secretariat, looked to address gaps in what being done under the National Agency for Scientific and
Technological Promotion (ANPCYT, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica 180) as a
result of which four nanoscience and nanotechnology networks were approved in 2005, bringing
together around 250 scientists. In the same year, the Argentinian-Brazilian Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology Centre (CABN, Centro Argentino-Brasileno de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología) was
created as a binational co-ordination body integrating research groups, networks of nanoscience and
nanotechnology, and companies in Argentina and Brazil, in order to support scientific and
technological research in the area and to improve the human and scientific resources of both
countries.
The Argentinian Foundation for Nanotechnology (FAN)181 was initiated in 2005 by the Economy and
Production Ministry, with the aim of stimulating training and developing technical infrastructure to
promote advances in nanotechnology and the adoption of nanotechnology by industry. It also aimed
to encourage the participation of researchers, institutions and companies from Argentina in
international networks.
While previous national programmes had differentiated between funding either for the public sector
(essentially the research networks) or for the private sector (projects of the FAN), the
nanotechnology sector funds (FS-NANO) launched in 2010 provided funding to projects dedicated to
basic and applied science via public-private partnerships.
In 2011, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation published the Argentina

172
http://www.nano.gov/initiatives/commercial/state-local
173
http://gov.texas.gov/. As of October 2010, the Texas Emerging Technology Fund has given a total of UDS
173 million to 120 companies as well as UDS 161 million to educational institutions.
174
http://www.oknano.com /
175
http://nano.illinois.edu/collaboration/index.html
176
http://onami.us/
177
http://www.semiconductors.org/
178
http://www.semiconductors.org/news/2014/04/01/press_releases_2013/international_technology_roadmap
_for_semiconductors_explores_next_15_years_of_chip_technology/
179
http://www.itrs.net/about.html
180
http://www.agencia.mincyt.gob.ar/frontend/agencia/fondo/agencia
181
http://www.fan.org.ar/en/

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Innovadora 2020 (Innovative Argentina Plan 2020): National Plan of Science, Technology and
Innovation. The plan focuses on three general-purpose technologies (nanotechnology, biotechnology
and information and communication technology (ICT)) addressing six strategic groups, including
industry.
5.2.2.2 Brazil
Systematic policy support for nanotechnology started in 2001, when the Brazilian Ministry of Science
and Technology (MCT) through the Brazilian National Research Funding Agency (Conselho Nacional
de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico or “CNPq”) earmarked BRL 3 million (USD 1 million)
(EUR 1.12 million182) over four years to form Co-operative Networks of Basic and Applied Research
on Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies. Four national research networks were established:
semiconductors and nano-structured materials; nano-devices; molecular nanotechnologies and
interfaces; and nano-biotechnology. In late 2004, a network on Nanotechnology, Society and
Environment was created that was independent of the formal funding mechanisms.
Since 1999, Brazil’s national plan has comprised an annual budget and a four-year strategic plan
(the Plano Plurianual or PPA). In 2003, the Ministry created a special division for the general co-
ordination of nanotechnology policies and programmes whose work resulted in a proposal for specific
nanotechnology-related funding. That proposal was taken up in the PPA in 2004-2007, which
provided for BRL 78 million (c. USD 28 million) (EUR 22 million183) over 4 years for the Programme
for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The aim of the programme was “to
develop new products and processes in nanotechnology with a view to increasing the
competitiveness of Brazilian industry”, which it implemented by supporting networks, research
laboratories and projects.
A review of the funding in the light of the 2004 policy on Industrial, Technological and Foreign Trade,
the government reconsidered the original budget and increased Federal investment for 2005 and
2006 from the original USD 19 million (EUR 15 million184) to c. USD 30 million (EUR 24 million185)
for those two years. Ten new research networks were set up to continue previous research activities
but linking more closely to broader industry, technology, and trade policies. Industrial policy helped
to reinforce the strategic status attributed at national level to nanotechnology and its role in
enhancing Brazil’s competitiveness. Of particular important in the programmes were the
development of qualified human resources, the modernisation of infrastructure and the promotion
of university-industry co-operation.
In 2012, the Brazilian Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) launched the
SisNANO186 initiative, enabling scientists throughout Brazil to conduct experiments at 26 “open”
laboratories offering the very best equipment for research in nanotechnology. University students
and staff can use the facilities free of charge – provided that they submit a good research proposal
– while scientists working in industry are able to access specialist equipment and expertise at highly
subsidised rates. The laboratories offer facilities fundamental for improving for example, electron-
spinning. A laboratory quite related to ICT sector is the Centre for Semiconductor Components, CCS,
focused on “nano-electronics, nano-photonics and micro-electronics”.187
In 2013, MCTI launched the Brazilian Nanotechnology Initiative (IBN) with funding estimated to be
BRL 440 million (EUR 148 million188) for the 2013-2014 period. The implementation of IBN was an
effort to further strengthen nanotechnology in Brazil by strengthening academic and industry
linkages thereby to promote the scientific and technological development of the nanotechnology
sector.

182
Average yearly conversion rate, 2001(source: www.wolframalpha.com)
183
Average yearly conversion rate, 2004-2007 (source: www.wolframalpha.com)
184
Average yearly conversion rate, 2005-2006 (source: www.wolframalpha.com)
185
Average yearly conversion rate, 2005-2006 (source: www.wolframalpha.com)
186
Sistema Nacional de Laboratórios em Nanotecnologias ftp://ftp.mct.gov.br/Biblioteca/39717-SisNANO.pdf
187
http://www.ccs.unicamp.br/novosite/en/
188
Average yearly conversion rate, 2013-2014(source: www.wolframalpha.com )

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

5.3 Asia

5.3.1 Eastern Asia

5.3.1.1 China
The transition of China from a centrally-planned to a more market-oriented economy, begun in the
1980s, has also led to greater decentralisation of the science and technology (S&T) system. Central
government is increasingly co-ordinating S&T, rather than managing research and development
(R&D), with research institutions taking on a greater role in policy, setting their own research
agendas in the context of the National Five-year Plans.
The National High Technology Research and Development Programme (the 863 189 programme
announced in 1986) focuses on key high-technology fields of relevance to China's national
development, supporting research and development, strengthening technological expertise and
laying the foundations for the development and growth of high technology industries. Its goals are
'promoting the development of key novel materials and advanced manufacturing technologies for
raising industry competitiveness' including nanomaterials. The programme is supervised by the
National Steering Group of S&T and Education, and is managed by the Ministry of Science and
Technology.
The 863 Programme has been implemented through successive Five-Year Plans. In addition to
nanotechnology research funding, the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) targeted commercialisation
and development of nanotechnology. The Government disaggregated nanotechnology development
into short-term projects (development of nanomaterials), medium-term projects (development of
bio-nanotechnology and nano medical technology), and long-term projects (development of nano
electronics and nano-chips). The Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) emphasised innovative
technologies, including the development of new materials for information technology, biological and
aerospace industries, and commercialising of the technology for 90-nanometer and smaller
integrated circuits.
The 1997 “National Plan on Key Basic Research and Development” together with the “National
Programme on Key Basic Research Project (973 Programme)” sought to strengthen basic research
in line with national strategic targets190. The 973 Programme complements the 863 programme,
funding basic research on nanomaterials and nanostructures (i.e. carbon nanotubes). The National
Steering Committee for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NSCNN) was established in 2000 to
coordinate and streamline all national research activities including overseeing the 863 and 973
programmes. The NSCNN consists of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the Chinese
Academy of Sciences (CAS), the National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC), the National
Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Chinese
Academy of Engineering (CAE).
The Medium-and Long-term National Plan for Science and Technology Development 2006-2020
(MLP) aims to achieve the promotion of S&T development in selected key fields and to enhance
innovation capacity. The MLP calls for more than 2.5% of GDP to be invested in R&D; for S&T to
contribute at least 60% to economic growth; for dependence on foreign technologies to decrease to
under 30%; and for China to rank in the top five in the world for patents and citations in international
publications.
Nanotechnology is given priority status under the MLP, being seen as one of the Chinese
'megaprojects' in science. ICT is among the priority topics under “Information Industry and Modern
Service Industry” area. It includes sensor networks and intelligent information processing. The MLP,
in identifying the frontier technologies, stresses the key role of ad hoc network technology (mobile
networks, computing networks, storage networks, sensor networks, low-cost real-time information
processing systems, multi-sensor information integration, etc.). As the MLP is implemented in the
context of the Five-Year Plan for S&T Development (2011-2015), it is relevant that it also emphasises
key technologies for strategic and emerging industries (including nanotechnology with ICT,
photonics, manufacturing and agriculture).

189
The programme is named for its date, the 86 for 1986 and the 3 for the third month, hence 86/3 or 863.
Likewise for the 973 programme launched in March 1997.
190
http://www.chinaembassy.bg/eng/dtxw/t202503.htm

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

In addition, China is promoting itself in nanotechnology. From http://www.china.org.cn/: “China is

positioning itself to become a world leader in nanotechnology … nanotechnology has many potential
applications with significant economic consequences in industrial design, medicine, agriculture,
energy, defence, food, etc. In medicine for example, these include nanoscale drug particles and
delivery systems and nano-electronic biosensors…. Today, China leads the world in the number of
nanotechnology patents”.
5.3.1.2 Japan
Strategic prioritisation of nanotechnology started in Japan under the Second Science and Technology
Basic Plan (STBP) 2001-2005. Among the eight priority R&D topics of national importance were ICT
and nanotechnology, as well as manufacturing technology and materials, energy, environmental
sciences and life sciences, and the cross-cutting areas of infrastructure and frontier research.
Nanotechnology was seen as being relevant to a broad range of fields and it was expected to help
Japan to maintain its technological edge. Total governmental funding of this field grew in these years
from JPY 85 billion (EUR 782 million)191 in 2001 to JPY 97 billion (EUR 709 million192) in 2005.
In the subsequent STBP193, which ran from 2006 to 2010, Japan established nanotechnology and
materials as one of its four priority research fields, the others being information and communications,
environmental sciences; and life sciences. Together with manufacturing, energy, environment, and
frontiers, these formed eight Promotion Areas. The total budget over the five years was JPY 250
trillion (EUR 200 billion)194. There were five sub-areas under nanotechnology and materials – nano-
electronics; fundamentals for nanotechnology and materials; materials; nanotechnology and
materials science; and nano-biotechnology and biomedical materials.
In 2010, a ‘New Growth Strategy’ was introduced to combat the lengthy stagnation of the Japanese
economy. The strategy sought to create jobs by tackling the issues faced by the economy and
society. This took the form of a reorientation of priorities towards green innovation (reducing
emissions and addressing climate issues); life innovation (healthy and long living); the Asian
economy (issues of specific Asian concern including falling birth rates and ageing societies); and
tourism and the regions. Growth-related strategies for (‘making Japan a superpower in’) science,
technology and ICT, for employment and human resources, and for the financial sector were also
identified as essential in supporting growth. The strategy also addressed the issues arising from the
earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis of 2011.
The same priorities were incorporated in 2011 into the Fourth Science and Technology Basic Plan
(2011-2015) with a budget of EUR 250 billion (JPY 25 trillion). As with the New Growth Strategy,
and in contrast to the previous Basic Plan for Science and Technology, the Fourth Basic Plan shifted
away from emphasising technologies towards “demand driven and solution-oriented topics” as well
as to “problem solving and issue-driven policies” and the “deepening the relationship between
society and science and technology.” Two broad based areas are prioritised: Life Innovation and
Green Innovation and an emphasis has been placed on technologies to reduce global warming,
provision and storage of energy supply, renewable energies, and diffusion of such technologies. As
there is no specific emphasis on individual technologies, nanotechnology is incorporated across
research and development without being specifically targeted.
5.3.1.3 Korea (South)
Long a topic of relevance in Korea, support for nanoscience and nanotechnology reached a new level
in December 2000 with the announcement by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) 195
of the Korean National Nanotechnology Initiative (KNNI). Nanotechnology was also identified as one
of six priority fields in the National Science and Technology Basic Plan (2002–2006). The NT

191
Average yearly conversion rate, 2001 (source:
www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/note/join/2007/379231/IPOL-
TRAN_NT%282007%29379231_EN.pdf )
192
Average yearly conversion rate, 2005 (source:
www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/note/join/2007/379231/IPOL-
TRAN_NT%282007%29379231_EN.pdf )
193
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-quart/17/jsps17.pdf
194
Average yearly conversion rate, 2006 (source:
www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/note/join/2007/379231/IPOL-
TRAN_NT%282007%29379231_EN.pdf )
195
http://www.nstc.go.kr/eng/

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Development Plan was approved by the NSTC on in July 2001 and the NT Development Promotion
Act passed in November 2002 by the National Assembly. The initiative is now in its 3 rd phase (2011-
2020), with focus on ‘clean nanotech’. Investment in phase 1 (2001-2005) was 105.2 billion Won
(EUR 83 million196); phase 2, 277.2 billion Won (EUR 1,541.8 million197).
Under its KNNI, Korea has focused on establishing specific support mechanisms (programmes,
systems and societies) and centres of excellence across the country. The launching of the National
Programme for Tera-Level Nano-devices (2000) was followed by the founding of the Nanotechnology
Industrialisation Support Centre (2001) and the Korean Advanced Nanofabrication Centre 198 (KANC)
(2003). In more recent times, building on former centres, Korea established two NST centres at the
Institute for Basic Science: the Centre for Nanoparticle Research and the Centre for Nanomaterials
and Chemical Reactions (2012)199. In total, 24 nanotechnology-related centres now exist in Korea.
The Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)200 has a Material and Life Science Division,
covering nanotechnology, ICT and biotechnology. Also related to ICT and nanotechnology at KIST,
the Post-silicon Semiconductor Institute has a specialised Centre for Spintronics as well as a Centre
for Electronic materials, a Centre for Opto-Electronic Materials and Devices, and a Centre for
Quantum Computing201. In addition, by 2010, over forty universities had nanotechnology
departments.
Under the Nanotechnology Development Promotion Act 2002, Korea also established in 2004 the
Korean Nano Technology Research Society (KoNTRS)202 as a mechanism for co-operation between
researchers working on nanotechnology throughout the country, to develop collaborative research
programmes between institutions (public and private) and to support the government in establishing
appropriate national NST policies.
Korea has since continued to invest in nanotechnology, with the review by NSTC in 2006 of the first
five years of its NNI leading to support continuing for an additional ten years. In this third phase of
the NT Development Plan (2011-2020), there is greater focus on clean nanotechnology and overall
the policy has evolved, moving away from funding fundamental research towards more application-
driven actions.203
Korea has also sought to develop its nanotechnology policy and policy system, with the production
of the Korean Nanotechnology Roadmap in 2008 and the establishment of the National
Nanotechnology Policy Centre (NNPC) in 2010. The NNPC announces on its web site204 the national
vision for Korea to be “the world’s number one nanotechnology power” and the four goals:
• “To become a leading nation in nanotechnology with systematic nanotechnology R&D
programmes;
• To create a new industry based on nanotechnology;
• To enhance social and moral responsibility in researching and developing nanotechnology; and
• To cultivate advanced nanotechnology experts and maximise the utilisation of nanotechnology
infrastructure.”
Mid-term and long-term strategies for nanotechnology in Korea, which have been developed and
implemented since about 2009, include:
• The Fundamental Nanotechnology Mid-term Strategy [NT 7-4-3 Initiative] through which the
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) supported 35 green nanotechnologies in
seven areas as well as funding four infrastructure projects;

196
Average yearly conversion rate, 2001-2005 (source:
www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/eurofxref-graph-krw.en.html )
197
Average yearly conversion rate, 2006-2010 (source:
www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/eurofxref-graph-krw.en.html )
198
http://www.kanc.re.kr/kancEnglish/center/center_overview.jsp
199
https://www.ibs.re.kr/eng/sub02_04_03.do
200
KIST is a science and technology institute. It was the first S&T research institute founded in Korea following
the joint statement by the Presidents of Korea and the US on the “Establishment of a Korean Industrial
and Applied Science R&D Institute” (1966) http://eng.kist.re.kr/kist_eng/?sub_num=728
201
http://eng.kist.re.kr/kist_eng/?sub_num=1596
202
http://kontrs.or.kr/english/index.asp
203
http://www.nanotechmag.com/nanotechnology-in-south-korea/
204
http://www.nnpc.re.kr/htmlpage/15/view

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• The Nano Fusion Industry Development Strategy by MEST and the then Ministry of the
Knowledge Economy (MKE), which sought to support nanotechnology all across the value chain,
from the research laboratory to the marketplace;
• The National Nano Infrastructure Revitalisation Plan, also by MEST and MKE, to link
nanotechnology infrastructures together, thereby giving them new impetus; and
• The Nano Safety Management Master Plan 2012-2016 to define methods and processes for the
identification and manage any safety risks that emerge with the development, commercialisation
and manufacture of nanotechnology products.
2012 saw the creation of the Nano-Convergence Foundation (NCF)205 whose remit is to increase the
commercialisation of national NST research outcomes. It operates under the joint support of the
Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (MSIP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy
(MOTIE). Korea plans to invest 930 billion Korean Won (ca. USD 815 million, EUR 740 million206) by
2020 in the NST, with projects in the Nano Convergence 2020 programme eligible to receive up to
2 billion Korean Won (EUR 1.5 million207) each.
5.3.1.4 Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)208
The National Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Programme209 was approved for a period of six years
by the National Science Council (NSC) in 2002. With a budget envelope of USD 700 million (EUR
740 million210) and actual expenditure estimated to be USD 625 million (EUR 486 million211) over
2003-2008, the aim of the programme was to foster nanotechnology research and development in
research institutes, universities and private companies, achieving academic excellence and
supporting commercialisation. The Academic Excellence part of the programme includes physical,
chemical and biological properties of nano-sensors, nano-structures, nano-devices and nano-
biotechnology. Industrial applications are the remit of the Industrial Technology Research Institute
(ITRI). ITRI has 13 research laboratories and centres in areas including optoelectronics, electronics,
mechanical and systems, applied materials, biomedicine, chemistry and mechanics. The Information
and Communications Research Laboratories212 and the Electronic and Optoelectronic System
Research Laboratories are relevant for the ICT sector.213 The latter, in particular, conducts research
in new semiconductor architectures, including advanced memories, 3D-IC and ultra-fine line, and
embedded-interposer-carrier substrates.
The National Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Programme also co-ordinates the nanotechnology
research efforts of government agencies mainly through the establishment of common core facilities
and education programmes, by promoting technology transfer and commercialisation into industrial
applications and establishing internationally competitive nanotechnology platforms. Among the
thematic priorities of the programme overall have been the design and fabrication of interconnects,
interfaces and system of functional nano-devices, and the development of MEMS/NEMS technology.
Taiwan’s Nanotechnology Community (NTC) was established in 2003 to identify commercial
applications of nanotechnology and, in 2004, the Taiwan Nanotechnology Industrialisation Promotion
Association (TANIPA) was set up by the Industrial Development Bureau at the Ministry of Economic
Affairs (MOEA), with a strategic remit related to industrial applications of nanotechnology and to
facilitate public-private co-operation.
Phase I of the National Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Programme was completed in 2008. Phase
II was approved by the NSC in April 2008 to run for another six years (2009-2014) with the goal of
strengthening and concentrating public resources on “Nanotechnology Industrialisation”, i.e. the
development of nanotechnology for domestic industry relevant to Taiwan and its growth into high-
tech industry. Building on Phase I, Phase II has supported nano-instrumentation, nano-
optoelectronics, nano-electrics, energy and environmental nanotechnology, nano-materials and

205
http://www.nanotech2020.org/download/english_brochure.pdf
206
Current exchange rate, November 2015 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
207
Current exchange rate (November 2015) (source:
www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/eurofxref-graph-krw.en.html )
208
http://www.twnpnt.org/
209
http://www.twnpnt.org/english/g01_int.asp
210
Average yearly conversion rate, 2002 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
211
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2768287/
212
https://www.itri.org.tw/eng/Content/Messagess/contents.aspx?SiteID=1&MmmID=617766557770066341
213
https://www.itri.org.tw/eng/Content/Messagess/contents.aspx?SiteID=1&MmmID=617751557022321307

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nano-biotechnology and applied nanotechnology in traditional industries.

5.3.2 Southern Asia

5.3.2.1 India214
The Nanomaterials Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI) was launched by the Ministry of Science
and Technology’s (MST) Department of Science and Technology (DST) in October 2001 to support
priority areas of research in nanoscience and nanotechnology; strengthen national characterisation
and infrastructural facilities; enhance nanotechnology education in order to generate trained
manpower in the area; and create an applications-related interface between educational institutions
and industry. The Indian government committed to investing USD 16 million (EUR 14 million 215) in
nanomaterials research and commercial development over the five-year duration of the initiative,
2002-2006. The funding was used for projects, centres of excellence, conferences, advanced courses
(schools) and post-doctoral fellowships. Within its basic and application-oriented research
programmes, it supported work on nanomaterials for pharmaceuticals and drug delivery, gene
targeting and DNA chips.
A capacity-building programme for nanoscience and nanotechnology (called Nano Mission) 216 was
announced in 2007. It was implemented by DST with a budget of EUR 155 million over 5 years. In
that time, India raised its publication output in nano-science and –technology generating about 5000
research papers and about 900 PhDs directly from Nano Mission funding. Under the programme,
scientists were given access global state-of-the-art facilities in countries including Japan and
Germany. The programme is also seen as having resulted in products including nano hydrogel-based
eye drops, pesticide removal technology for drinking water, water filters for arsenic and fluoride
removal and nano silver based antimicrobial textile coatings. Finally, it facilitated discussions on
standards for nanotechnology at national level.
The continuation of the Nano Mission was approved by the Government in February of 2014 and
EUR 91 million (INR 650 crore) were sanctioned for the time period 2012 to 2017217. The programme
will continue to support nanoscience and technology by promoting basic research, human resource
development, research infrastructure development, international collaborations, national dialogues,
and nano-applications and technology development. In the area of development of products and
processes, the programme has focused, and will continue to focus, on areas of national relevance
including sensor development, safe drinking water, materials development and drug delivery.
In addition to DST, several other agencies support nanotechnology research and development:
• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)218 has a network of 38 laboratories and
other partners involving about 4600 scientists in research and development across a wide range
of disciplines, including nanotechnology, and for application areas including electronics and
instrumentation.
• In 2003, the CSIR launched the New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative
(NMITLI) to foster public-private partnerships via grant-in-aid funding to public partners and
soft loans to their industrial partners. The initiative specifically targeted nanosciences and
nanotechnologies; biotechnology; energy and materials.219
• The CSIR’s International Science and Technology Directorate (ISAD) facilitates nanotechnology
workshops and projects in collaboration with partners from South Africa, France, South Korea,
China and Japan220.
• The MST’s Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) 221 supports frontier and

214
http://www.oecd.org/science/nanosafety/37277620.pdf; http://nanomission.gov.in/;
http://www.ris.org.in/images/RIS_images/pdf/DP%20193%20Amit%20Kumar.pdf,
http://erawatch.jrc.ec.europa.eu/erawatch/opencms/information/country_pages/in/country?section=Resea
rchPolicy&subsection=ResPolFocus
215
Average yearly conversion rate, 2002-2006 (source: www.wolframalpha.com)
216
http://nanomission.gov.in/;
217
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Govt-approves-Rs-650-crore-for-Nano-
mission/articleshow/30722422.cms
218
www.csir.res.in/
219
http://www.csir.res.in/external/heads/collaborations/NM.pdf
220
http://www.teriin.org/div/ST_BriefingPap.pdf
221
www.dst.gov.in/about_us/ar05-06/serc.htm

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interdisciplinary research. Support for nanotechnology projects has been provided through its
R&D schemes for basic science and engineering science.
5.3.2.2 Iran222
The Islamic Republic of Iran ranked 23rd in the world in nanotechnology in 2007, second to Korea in
citations in Asia223, but, by 2012, it had moved to 10th place224, 225. In 2013, Iran ranked 20th in
science production in the world (Thomson Reuters) and 18 th in science production for medicine.
According to the Ministry, its share of global science production rose from 1.39% in 2013 to 1.69%
percent in 2014, as measured by indicators including the number of scientific papers, the quality
and quantity of documents, patenting inventions, industrial plans, partnership with foreign
universities, and the use of technology in domestic organisations.
There are nine scientific committees responsible for organising and coordinating science activities in
Iran including committees for nanotechnology, biotechnology, aerospace, information technology,
renewable energies and environment.
Iran began its nanotechnology activities with a Study Committee for Nanotechnology in 2001. Its
work led to the development of the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC)226, established in
2003 to develop policies to foster nanotechnology in Iran and monitors their implementation. The
Council also funds researchers, having supported over 1400 researchers for nanotechnology activity
between 2004 and 2010, at a cost of USD 12 million227 (EUR 9 million228).
INIC has also funded the development of research and training facilities for nanotechnology
research, such as the Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INT) at the Sharif University
of Technology. The INT, established in 2004, was the first institute to offer a PhD in nanotechnology
in Iran229. INIC undertakes education and awareness-raising activities including a students’ Nano
Club, seminars, workshops, publications and a multi-lingual (Arabic, Persian, Russian and English)
website230.
Also in 2004, INIC was instrumental in establishing the Iran Nanotechnology Laboratory Network to
optimise Iran’s nanotechnology infrastructure. Forty-two laboratories across Iran operate under the
network. The role of INIC includes evaluation and ranking of member laboratories and providing
support for them in areas such as training workshops, lab equipment, and in gaining accreditation
as testing and calibration labs.
INIC operates through working groups on areas including Human Resource Development;
Technology Development and Production; and Education and Awareness. It also addresses standards
and regulations through the Iran Nanotechnology Standardisation Committee (INSC) 231, a body
established in 2006 as a collaboration between the INIC and the Institute of Standard and Industrial
Research of Iran (ISIRI)232.
Continuing to support nanotechnology and the work of INIC, a “Future Strategy” was adopted in
2005 by the Cabinet, a 10-year nanotechnology development (2005 - 2014). Its mission was to
place Iran among the top fifteen advanced countries in nanotechnology in the world. The focus was
placed on building and using infrastructure and human resources; improving communication and
networking both within Iran and internationally; and generating economic added value from
nanotechnology as a means of achieving economic development233.

222
See also http://www.sciencedev.net/Docs/Iran_Nano.pdf (2010)
223
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090609003228/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file11959.pdf
224
http://statnano.com/report/s29
225
http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=45237
226
http://nano.ir/index.php?lang=2
227
http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=36557
228
Average yearly conversion rate, 2004-2010 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
229
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/science-and-sanctions-nanotechnology-in-iran/
230
http://nano.ir/index.php?ctrl=static_page&lang=2&id=397&section_id=22
231
http://nanostandard.ir/index.php?lang=2
232
http://www.isiri.com/
233
http://statnano.com/strategicplans/1

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5.3.3 South-Eastern Asia

5.3.3.1 Malaysia
Priority emerging technologies including nanotechnology and nano-biochips, nano-biosensors and
photonics were identified under Malaysia’s Second National Science and Technology Policy (STP II),
launched in 2003. Other products and technologies were also specified: photovoltaic (PV) solar cells,
Li-ion batteries, plant vaccines, and drug delivery systems.
The Malaysian National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was established in 2006 to advance
nanotechnology and related sciences by clustering local resources and knowledge of Malaysian
researchers, industry and the government. The NNI paved way for the establishment in 2010 of the
National Nanotechnology Directorate under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
(MOSTI). The National Nanotechnology Directorate (NND)234 facilitates nanotechnology development
in Malaysia by acting as a central co-ordination agency.
To further support activity on these priority areas, the National Innovation Council of Malaysia in
2011 identified the need for a national organisation for nanotechnology commercialisation.
NanoMalaysia235 was created in 2011 as a company under the Ministry of Science, Technology and
Innovation (MOSTI). It is responsible for commercialisation of nanotechnology research and
development; industrialisation of nanotechnology; facilitation of investments in nanotechnology; and
human capital development in nanotechnology.
In 2011, the Top down Nanotechnology Research Grant (NanoFund) was introduced and
NanoMalaysia Centres of Excellence created. Among these are the Institute of Nano-Electronics and
Engineering (INEE)236 (with research groups on memory devices, photonics and novel silico devices)
and the Institute of Micro Engineering and Nano-electronics (IMEN), at UKM237, specialised in
MEMS/NEMS and nano-electronics and micro- and nano-electronics system.
5.3.3.2 The Philippines238
Nanotechnology was first identified as a priority area in the Philippines in 2009 when the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) formed a multidisciplinary group to create a roadmap for the
development of nanotechnology in the country. The Nanotechnology Roadmap for the Philippines
identified five key sectors for the application of nanotechnology that also coincided with the priority
areas of DOST for R&D support. These areas were: information and communications technology and
semiconductors; health; environment; food and agriculture; and energy.
Both the MAPUA Institute of Technology and the University of Philippines Diliman are active in
nanotechnology R&D for ICT and semiconductor applications.239
5.3.3.3 Singapore
With the aim of transitioning to a knowledge-based economy, Singapore has relied, since the early
1990s, on its five-year basic plans for science and technology (S&T). Foresight and technology
scanning were key components of the process by which the 2010 plan240 was developed. Thirteen
technology scanning panels were established, including one on ‘Exploiting Nanotechnologies’. There
were also foresight panels on semiconductors, broadband, information storage, manufacturing,
materials and infrastructure, intelligent systems, the grid, information management, energy,
environmental technologies, engineering science in medicine, and frontiers in chemicals.
In the 2010 strategy document, the connection is made between the S&T Plan and the Manufacturing
2018 Plan Intelligent National Plans of Singapore’s Economic Development Board241, and the
Roadmap (ITR5) of the Infocomm Development Authority242. It links nanotechnology research and

234
http://www.mosti.gov.my/en/about-us/divisions-departments/national-nanotechnology-directorate-division-
nnd/
235
http://www.nanomalaysia.com.my/index.php?p=aboutus&c=whoweare
236
http://inee.unimap.edu.my/
237
www.ukm.my/
238
http://www.techmonitor.net/tm/images/d/d1/10jan_feb_sf3.pdf
239
http://nanotech.apctt.org/countryreports/Philippines%20Country%20Report.pdf
240
https://www.mti.gov.sg/ResearchRoom/Pages/Science-and-Technology-Plan-2010.aspx
241
www.edb.gov.sg
242
www.ida.gov.sg

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development to industrial development and supports collaboration between industry, research

institutes and universities. The aim is for an enhancement of applied research in nanotechnology to
enable industrial clusters including ICT, electronics, precision machinery, transportation machinery,
engineering, chemicals, food, and environmental. The Plan also indicates nanotechnology is
fundamental and horizontal to these clusters.
Nanotechnology is one of six areas at the heart of clinical and translational research supported under
the Biomedical Research Council, which is responsible for research related to the industrial sectors
of pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology and healthcare services and delivery.
Nanotechnology is also a key area for the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC).
The main funding agency for nanoscience and nanotechnology (NST) in Singapore is the Agency for
Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR)243. A*STAR’s Nanotechnology Initiative started in 2001
with the target of building on existing capabilities to develop specific areas of NST research always
with applications and potential use by industry as a goal. A*STAR research institutes involved in NST
include the Data Storage Institute244 (that includes the Data Centre Technologies and the Non-
Volatile Memories), the Institute of High Performance Computing245, the Institute for Infocomm
Research, and the Institute of Microelectronics246 (with a MEMS and nano-electronics programme).
In 2010, A*Star’s SIMTech launched the Nanotechnology in Manufacturing Initiative (NiMI) to foster
collaborative efforts between research and industry, developing industrial capability and enhancing
competitiveness. NiMI concentrates “on the application of nanotechnology in the processes of
forming, joining and coating”, particularly for the electronics industry, nanocomposite physical
vapour deposition (PVD) coatings and others. Characterisation is also a relevant part of the
initiative.247
In Singapore, nanotechnology is also a key area for the Science and Engineering Research Council
(SERC).
5.3.3.4 Thailand
Thailand has been active in nanotechnology since at least 2003 when it established NANOTEC248 as
the leading national agency for nanotechnology development. It operates under the jurisdiction of
the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Ministry of Science and
Technology (MOST), one of four such agencies. The guiding aims of NANOTEC are to contribute to
society; increase Thailand’s competitiveness; and improve the quality of life and the environment of
the people of Thailand through research and development in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
NANOTEC undertakes and supports research, development, design and engineering in
nanotechnology, and the transfer of the resulting technology to industry and the marketplace. In
2013, the Central Laboratory of NANOTEC consisted of twelve units located at the Thailand Science
Park. These covered areas including nano-characterisation; engineering and manufacturing
characterisation; integrated nano-systems, nanomaterials for energy and catalysis, hybrid
nanostructures and nanocomposites; nanoscale simulation; and functional nanomaterials and
interfaces.
In 2012, the National Nanotechnology Policy Framework (2012-2021)249 and the Nanosafety and
Ethics Strategic Plan (2012-2016)250 were approved by government for implementation by the
Ministry of Science and Technology, and relevant agencies. The Framework has three primary goals:
• Utilising nanotechnology to develop materials, products, and equipment in order to enhance the
quality of life, wellness, and environment;
• Improving agricultural technology and manufacturing industry that meet the demand of the
market through nanotechnology; and

243
www.a-star.edu.sg/
244
http://www.a-star.edu.sg/dsi/Home.aspx
245
http://www.a-star.edu.sg/ihpc/Research/Overview.aspx
246
https://www.a-star.edu.sg/ime/
247
http://www.a-star.edu.sg/Media/News/Press-Releases/ID/1363/ASTAR-SIMTech-Nanotechnology-in-
Manufacturing-Initiative-NiMI-to-Overcome-Challenges-to-Tap-Market-Potential.aspx
248
http://www.nanotec.or.th/th/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/NANOTEC-brochure11.pdf
249
http://www.nanotec.or.th/en/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/The-National-Nanotechnology-Policy-framework-
exe-sum.pdf
250
http://www.nanotec.or.th/en/

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

• Becoming ASEAN’s leader in nanotechnology research and education.

The overall strategic direction of the Framework encompasses four target clusters, including
manufacturing industry and electronics, and defines seven flagship products including nano-
electronics. It aims to achieve its goals through actions in human resources, research and
development, infrastructure development, management (of quality, safety and standards) and
technology transfer.
The strategy in Thailand is largely to focus on product development through nanotechnology. To this
end, NANOTEC is addressing national and NSTDA priorities under the Framework through seven
flagship programmes to develop specific products.

5.3.4 Western Asia

5.3.4.1 Israel
The first nanotechnology policy initiative in Israel was the establishment of the Israel
Nanotechnology Initiative (INNI)251 in 2002 as a shared action of the Forum for National
Infrastructures for Research & Development (TELEM)252 and the ministry for the economy (now
called the Ministry for Industry, Trade and Labour)253. INNI’s mission is “to make nanotechnology
the next wave of successful industry in Israel by creating an engine for global leadership”. To achieve
this, actions have been taken on scientific research in nanoscience and nanotechnology (NST); on
increasing public-private collaboration on NST; on speeding up commercialisation of NST; and on
leveraging funding from both public and private sources to support NST in Israel. INNI is closely
linked to the national system with its Director appointed by the Chief Scientist at the Ministry, and
its Board operating out of the MAGNET Programme254 at the Office of the Chief Scientist.
Since the identification of nanoscience and nanotechnology (NST) as a national priority area in 2007,
the areas that have been targeted have included research infrastructure; training Israeli scientists
in NST; attracting foreign researchers to work in Israeli institutions; increasing collaboration in NST
and publication output of the highest international standard; fostering public-private partnerships;
and knowledge transfer and commercialisation of NST. Investment has been c. USD 20 million (EUR
15.5 million255) per annum for basic NST equipment plus another almost USD 10 million (EUR 8
million256) per annum for new infrastructure and facilities.257 The aim has been to create a
sustainable basis for NST within the universities via training, recruitment and the provision of
facilities on the basis that, without a strong research base, direct investment in technology will not
be able to generate the required returns in terms of technology development and deployment.
In addition, the Triangle Donation Matching (TDM) programme258 was launched under the INNI in
2006, a five-year national programme to support NST research infrastructure in six universities in
Israel. A total of USD 250 million (EUR 198 million259) has been invested by Israeli Universities,
private donors and the Israeli government to recruit leading nano-scientists and acquire equipment,
facilities and laboratories for six nano-centres at the universities. The first impact was seen at
Technion, Israel’s Institute of Technology260, 261, in 2005 (before the official launch of the
programme), the other five research universities receiving support in 2006. One of them is the
Hebrew University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology whose focus areas includes nano-
optronics for sensing and communication applications and nanomaterials for industrial applications

251
http://www.nanoisrael.org/
252
http://www.trdf.co.il/eng/fundinfo.php?id=2846
253
http://www.economy.gov.il/English/Pages/default.aspx
254
http://www.moital.gov.il/NR/exeres/111E3D45-56E4-4752-BD27-F544B171B19A.htm
The Magnet programme supports companies and academics to form consortia to research precompetitive
generic technologies. Direct funding is up to 66% of the cost of the project with no obligation to repay
royalties.
255
Average yearly conversion rate, 2012 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
256
Average yearly conversion rate, 2012 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
257
Figures for funding under the programme to 2012.
258
http://www.nanoisrael.org/category.aspx?id=1278
259
Average yearly conversion rate, 2006 (source: www.wolframalpha.com)
260
The Technion centre was co-funded by the Russel Berrie Foundation via a donation of USD 26 million which,
together with funding from Technion itself, the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Ministry of Finance,
made up to USD 78 million for the Russell Berrie Institute for Research in Nanotechnology.
261
Israel Institute of Technology http://www.technion.ac.il/en/

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

and also has a specialisation in sol-gel-based nanomaterials. Work is also taking place at the Institute
of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials at Bar-Ilan University in several areas, including
computers.262 Furthermore, photonics and electronics is among the research activities of the Ilse
Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, at Ben-Gurion University, with a specialisation
in design, simulation and fabrication of nano-photonic chips and devices.263
To help academics and industry to access the facilities of the six Israeli nano centres, the INNI has
made available a national nano infrastructure catalogue264. The catalogue of equipment includes
pricing for the use of the equipment and contact information. Industry users are supported by the
university nano-centres to enable them to be effective in using their R&D equipment.
INNI also has introduced the Industry-Academia Matchmaking programme to make Israeli
nanotechnology more visible to the industrial and investment communities and to promote Israel’s
NST research capabilities to potential partners. Experts help potential collaborators to meet, access
expertise and access funding depending on their needs. They engage with key nanotechnology
stakeholders in Israel and abroad, initiate and managing national and international networks in NST.
They also gather statistics and market information on NST.
5.3.4.2 Saudi Arabia265
The King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) was established in 1985 as the
Kingdom’s main agency for promoting research and development. In 2002, Saudi Arabia decided to
build further on the work of KACST by putting in place a National Policy for Science and Technology
(NPST) with plans to increase R&D funding to 1.6% of GDP. KACST was made responsible for
implementing the policy which included five-year strategic plans (missions) in eleven research areas
prioritising areas relevant to ICT including nanotechnology and information technology, electronics,
photonics, advanced materials, as well as others: water, oil and gas, petrochemicals, biotechnology,
space and aeronautics, energy and environment. The National Nanotechnology Programme (NNP)
was established to deliver the plan.
During the implementation of the NNP, nanotechnology centres began to be established, such as the
Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT) established 2005 at the KFUPM 266; and the CNT
established in 2006 at the KAU267 that covers the fields of electromechanical (MEMS/NEMS) devices,
semiconductors nanomaterials and computational nanotechnology. These centres operated in the
context of the multidisciplinary programme of Strategic Priorities for Nanotechnology 2008-2012,
put in place by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Economy and Planning in 2008.
Additional nanoscience and nanotechnology centres followed. The Centre of Excellence of Nano-
manufacturing Applications (CENA) was established in 2009 at KACST (active in the area of
fabrication of sensors) and the King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology (KAIN)268 established in
2010 at the KSU in the Riyadh Techno Valley. The KAIN covers areas including telecommunications,
manufacturing of nanomaterials, energy, medicine and pharmaceuticals, food and environment, and
water treatment and desalination. Companies also collaborate on nanotechnology research with the
nanotechnology centres.
5.3.4.3 Turkey
Nanotechnology was one of eight strategic fields of research and technology identified in the Vision
2023 Technology Foresight Study prepared by the Turkish Supreme Council of Science and
Technology (SCST) in 2002. The Foresight Study formed part of the development of the National
Science and Technology Policies 2003-2023 Strategy Document. In nanotechnology, seven thematic
priority areas were selected: (i) nano-sized quantum information processing; (ii) nano-photonics,
nano-electronics and nano-magnetism; (iii) nanomaterials; (iv) nano-fabrication; (v) nano-
biotechnology; (vi) nano-characterisation; and (vii) fuel cells and energy. Nanotechnology was also
included as a priority technology field in the Development Programme prepared by State Planning

262
http://nano.biu.ac.il/research-centers/nano-materials
263
http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/iki/Pages/Research-Activity1.aspx
264
http://www.nanoisrael.org/category.aspx?id=13671
265
A review of nanotechnology development in the Arab World, Bassam Alfeeli et al., Nanotechnology Review,
2013 (05/2013; 2(3):359-377)
266
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Riyadh
267
King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah
268
http://nano.ksu.edu.sa/en

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Organisation (SPO) for the period 2007-2013.

Projects in nanotechnology are supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of
Turkey (TUBITAK) and the Ministry of Development (MoD) and, between 2007 and 2014, it is
estimated269 that nanotechnology received State support of about one billion Turkish Lira, or c. USD
500 million (EUR 367 million270). Over 20 nanotechnology research centres, departments and
graduate schools have been established including NanoTam271 (with a research programme on
gallium nitride devices) and Unam272 at Bilkent University (focused on optics and fibre lasers, and
nanophotonics); Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM)273;
and the Micro and Nanotechnology Department at the Middle East Technical University274.

5.4 Oceania
5.4.1.1 Australia
The National Nanotechnology Strategy (NNS) was put in place in 2007 by the Australian Department
of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research as a dedicated strategy for nanotechnology, 2007 to
2009. The Australian Office of Nanotechnology was established to co-ordinate the strategy and
ensure a whole-of-government approach to nanotechnology issues. A Public Awareness and
Engagement Programme formed part of the NNS.
In 2009-2010, the NNS was replaced with a National Enabling Technology Strategy (NETS), a
comprehensive national framework for the safe and responsible development of novel technologies
(including nanotechnology and biotechnology). With funding over four years of AUS 38.2 million
(EUR 28.3 million275), the strategy aimed to ensure good management and regulation of enabling
technologies in order to maximise community confidence and community benefits from the
commercialisation and use of new technology. Public engagement has remained an important topic
in Australia for nanotechnology and other novel technologies.
In 2012, the National Nanotechnology Research Strategy276 was prepared by the Australian Academy
of Science, using funding received from the National Enabling Technologies Policy Section in the
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. The Research
Strategy highlighted the importance of developing the nanofabrication capabilities necessary to have
a major impact on all areas of information and communication technology (ICT), for example,
through the fabrication of quantum/nanoscale photonic, electronic and electromechanical structures.
In addition, it identified Australia as being a world leader in optical fibres (through its Institute for
Photonics and Advanced Sensing277, Institute of Photonics and Optical Science278 and Australian
National Fabrication Facility (ANFF)279). The Strategy also identifies Australian strengths in the
fabrication of nanomaterials relevant to ICT: structures on silicon (SoS) for nano-electronics and
quantum computing applications; fabrication of III-V quantum dots, nanowires, metamaterials,
plasmonic structures and photonic crystals for applications in electronics and photonics, including
novel sensors; nanostructured glasses for novel optical fibres used for sensors and ICT applications;
novel MEMS and nanostructures in II-VI semiconductors and germanium for applications in sensors,
nano-photonics and nano-electronics.
More generally, the Strategy set out a vision for Australia to become a world leader in a
nanotechnology-driven economy with a strong nanotechnology research base and the means to
assist industry to revolutionise its portfolio through nanotechnology, for greater competiveness and
to address the grand challenges most relevant to Australia. The Strategy highlighted the importance
of infrastructure, interdisciplinary research, international engagement, the translation of research

269
http://www.issi2015.org/files/downloads/all-papers/0720.pdf
270
Average yearly conversion rate, 2007-2014 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
271
http://www.nanotam.bilkent.edu.tr/eng/main.html
272
http://unam.bilkent.edu.tr/?page_id=576
273
http://sunum.sabanciuniv.edu/
274
http://mnt.metu.edu.tr/
275
Average yearly conversion rate, 2010-2013 (source:
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/eurofxref-graph-aud.en.html )
276
https://www.science.org.au/publications/national-nanotechnology-research-strategy
277
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ipas/about/role/
278
http://sydney.edu.au/ipos/
279
http://www.anff.org.au/

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

and the growth of SMEs.

Australia also operates a network to link research facilities across the country, the Australian
Nanotechnology Network280. The Network was established by bringing together four seed funding
networks. It comprises about 1,000 active researchers from universities, institutes and government
research organisations, half of whom are students. Its aims are to promote collaboration, increase
multidisciplinary awareness and collaboration, foster forums for postgraduate and early career
researchers, increase and improve awareness of nanotechnology infrastructure, and promote
international links.
5.4.1.2 New Zealand
Nanotechnology strategies in New Zealand began by taking a networking approach and were led by
the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology281. The Institute, formed in
2002, is a partnership between five Universities and two Crown Research Institutes in Auckland,
Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. It was awarded USD 23.2 million (EUR 19
million282) funding for 2003-2006 from the Ministry of Education and, in early 2006, developed a
“Nanotechnology Initiative for New Zealand”283 identifying where capability in nanotechnology could
be developed in the country. The Initiative identified six programmes for nanoscience and
nanotechnology research: nano-photonics, nano-electronics and nano-devices; nanotechnology for
energy; nanomaterials for industry; nano- and micro-fluidics; bio-nanotechnologies; and social
impacts of nanotechnology.
Also in 2006, the New Zealand government released a Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies Roadmap
(2006-2015)284. Highlighting international and national research, the Roadmap placed
nanotechnology amongst government's strategic priorities, setting high-level directions for
nanotechnology-related research and policy in New Zealand. Among the key sectors, some potential
areas and type of applications were identified. ICT and electronics and components (including
photonic crystals and optical computing) are considered to be key sectors. Three priority areas for
public funding were identified: the creation of new materials; diagnostic devices; and tools and
techniques. The Roadmap noted the crucial importance of the programme on nano-photonics, nano-
electronics and nano-devices, included in the Nanotechnology Initiative for New Zealand. The
Ministry of Science and Innovation was put in charge of policy actions to implement the Roadmap.
The Ministry of Science and Innovation Statement of Intent 2011-14 highlighted two high-level
priorities – growing the economy and building a healthier environment and society. In addition to
the traditional resource sectors of New Zealand, it sought to capability in knowledge-intensive
activities, such as high-technology manufacturing and the services sector. Six priority areas were
identified including high-value manufacturing and services, energy and minerals, health and society,
as well as biological sciences, hazards and infrastructure, and the environment285.

5.5 Africa
5.5.1.1 South Africa
Since 2002, the Republic of South Africa has launched several national nanotechnology initiatives to
strengthen national capabilities in this field. Relevant steps have included:
• In 2002, the formation of the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANi)286 with membership
comprising academics, researchers, engineers, private sector companies, and research councils;
• In 2003, the launch of South Africa’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) 287
by the Department of Science and Technology (DST);
• In 2005, the publication of the National Strategy on Nanotechnology (NSN) 288 by the DST. The
strategy focuses on four areas:

280
http://www.ausnano.net/index.php?page=home
281
http://www.macdiarmid.ac.nz/
282
Average yearly conversion rate, 2003-2006 (source: www.wolframalpha.com )
283
http://www.macdiarmid.ac.nz/a-nanotechnology-initiative-for-new-zealand/
284
http://statnano.com/strategicplans/13
285
http://www.mbie.govt.nz/
286
http://www.sani.org.za/
287
http://www.esastap.org.za/download/natstrat_advmanu_mar2005.pdf
288
http://chrtem.nmmu.ac.za/file/35e56e36b6ab3a98fac6fc0c31ee7008/dstnanotech18012006.pdf

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- establishing characterisation centres (national multi-user facilities);

- creating research and innovation networks (to enhance collaboration: inter-disciplinary,
national and internationally);
- building human capacity (development of skilled personnel); and
- setting up flagship projects (to demonstrate the benefits of nanotechnology towards
enhancing the quality of life, and spurring economic growth).
South Africa launched its first nanotechnology innovation centres in 2007 at the CSIR 289 and
MINTEK290. Each centre has developed collaborative research programmes, often with other national
institutions. These include programmes in designing and modelling of novel nano-structured
materials, at the CSIR-National Centre for Nano-structured Materials (NCNSM)291, and work on the
application of nanotechnologies in the fields of water, health, mining and minerals at MINTEK.
In addition to engaging with European researchers through Framework Programmes, South Africa
has established international collaboration mechanisms with other developing countries, e.g. the
India–Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) partnership 292 enables joint projects and mobility293 between S&T
departments in those countries.

The next section reports on publishing activity in nanotechnology and ICT.

289
http://www.csir.co.za/
290
http://www.nic.ac.za/
291
http://ls-ncnsm.csir.co.za/
292
http://www.ibsa-trilateral.org/
293
http://www.ibsa-trilateral.org/about-ibsa/areas-of-cooperation/people-to-people

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6 PUBLICATIONS IN ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY

6.1 Overview
Around 1.8 million publications were identified294 from the Web of Science as being related to
nanoscience and technology (NST)295 between 2000 and 2014. Of those, approximately 130,000
were identified as relating to nanotechnology and ICT. This volume of publications is equivalent to
over 7% of all of the output for nanoscience and nanotechnology (NST).
The table below shows the publication output between 2000 and 2014. Over 38,000 publications on
ICT were produced in EU 28 plus EFTA countries (EU28&EFTA, includes Switzerland and Norway),
almost 30% of the total World ICT publications in the time-period 2000-2014. The share of
EU28&EFTA has gradually decreased over time from almost 40% to less than 25%.
Table 6-1: Annual NST publication output for ICT worldwide and in the EU28&EFTA, 2000-
2014

Year World EU 28 & EFTA

npub npub %
2000 2,259 826 36.6%
2001 2,668 1,034 38.8%
2002 3,135 1,122 35.8%
2003 3,562 1,249 35.1%
2004 4,336 1,473 34.0%
2005 4,829 1,489 30.8%
2006 5,716 1,860 32.5%
2007 6,357 2,115 33.3%
2008 7,467 2,456 32.9%
2009 8,697 2,871 33.0%
2010 10,153 3,215 31.7%
2011 12,616 3,625 28.7%
2012 15,463 4,157 26.9%
2013 19,017 4,759 25.0%
2014 23,704 5,411 22.8%
TOTAL 129,979 37,662 29.0%

Source: Derived from Web of Science

There has been a high level of growth in ICT publications as indexed to the year 2000. For the World,
there has been almost a ten-fold growth while for the EU28&EFTA, it is around a six-fold growth.

294
http://www.vosviewer.com/Publications
295
Search included all those publications having been produced with “nano” as a core term. The term
“nanosecond” has been omitted as not being relevant to the study.

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Source: Derived from Web of Science

Figure 6-1: Annual NST ICT publication output, worldwide and EU28&EFTA, 2000-2014
(indexed to 2000(=1))

Looking at the EU28&EFTA proportion of world output on ICT, it is seen to have decreased over time,
as shown below. This is mainly caused by a sharp increase in the output from China.

Figure 6-2: NST ICT publications as a percentage of NST World total, 2000-2014

The table below shows the most important journals in which researchers in this sector published
their results. The results show a clear preference for the top four journals.

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Table 6-2: Most common journals by numbers of NST ICT publications (npub), 2000-2014

Rank Journal npub

1 Applied Physics Letters 8,185
2 Physical Review B 7,976
3 Journal of Applied Physics 5,144
4 IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices 2,403
5 NANO Letters 2,349
6 Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2,129
7 Physical Review Letters 1,993
8 ACS NANO 1,762
9 Nanotechnology 1,712
10 IEEE Electron Device Letters 1,670

6.2 Activity by region and country

The most prolific region for NST ICT publications in 2014 (the most recent year for data collection)
(calculated from the table of the top 25 publishing countries) was Asia, followed at a distance by
EU28&EFTA and North America.
Table 6-3: Most prolific regions for ICT publications, 2014

Region npub
Asia 14,303
EU28&EFTA 5,411
North America 5,001
Middle East 693
Oceania 645

The most prolific country for ICT publications globally in 2014 was China (PRC), followed by the US,
South Korea, Japan, Germany and India, as shown below.

Figure 6-3: Number of NST ICT publications by country (top 9), 2014

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Table 6-4: Number of ICT publications by country (top 20), 2014

Country Region npub

China (PRC) Asia 8,997

USA North America 4,624
South Korea Asia 2,138
Japan Asia 1,551
Germany EU28&EFTA 1,371
India Asia 1,316
United Kingdom EU28&EFTA 898
France EU28&EFTA 850
Singapore Asia 790
Italy EU28&EFTA 645
Spain EU28&EFTA 619
Australia Oceania 617
Canada North America 468
Switzerland EU28&EFTA 326
Sweden EU28&EFTA 311
Belgium EU28&EFTA 310
Saudi Arabia Middle East 298
Netherlands EU28&EFTA 274
Brazil South & Central America 268

In the EU28&EFTA, Germany generated the largest number of publications in 2014, followed by the
United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain, as shown below.

Figure 6-4: Number of NST ICT publications by EU&EFTA countries, 2014

Data for the top NST ICT publishing countries only

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6.3 Activity by organisation type

The 25 most active organisations for NST ICT publications (npub) in 2014 are shown in the
table below. The higher education organisations with the most nanotechnology ICT publications
globally in 2014 were predominantly Asian universities, over half of the 25 organisations being
from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The highest performing non-Asian universities were
the University of California Berkeley (11th), MIT (15th), the University of Texas Austin (17th)
and Stanford University (23rd) (all in the US).
Table 6-5: Publication numbers for nanotechnology and ICT for higher education and
research organisations, 2014

Country University/ Research Institute npub

1 PRC Chinese Academy of Sciences 1,139
2 Singapore Nanyang Technology University 388
3 PRC Tsinghua University 375
4 PRC Peking University 327
5 PRC University of Science and Technology of China 309
6 PRC Nanjing University 306
7 Singapore National University of Singapore 297
8 Korea Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology 273
9 PRC Zhejiang University 258
10 Korea Seoul National University 230
11 USA University of California Berkeley 216
12 PRC Jilin University 216
13 Korea Sungkyunkwan University 206
14 Japan University of Tokyo 200
15 USA MIT 196
16 PRC Shanghai Jiao Tong University 192
17 USA University of Texas Austin 188
18 PRC Wuhan University 188
19 PRC Fudan University 186
20 PRC Huazhong University of Science and Technology 178
21 PRC Lanzhou University 175
22 Korea Korea University 174
23 USA Stanford University 173
24 PRC Hunan University 172
25 Japan Tohoku University 170

The higher education organisations (EU28&EFTA) with the most ICT publications in 2014 were the
University of Cambridge, EPFL296, University of Paris XI Sud, IMEC297 and the Technical University of
Dresden, as shown in the table below of the top ten NST publishing organisations for ICT
publications.

296
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
297
Interuniversitair Micro-Elekctronica Centrum Vzw

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Table 6-6: Number of ICT publications by EU&EFTA organisation (top ten), 2014

Organisation Country npub

University of Cambridge UK 132
EPFL298 CH 121
University Paris XI Sud FR 105
IMEC 299
BE 101
Technical University (TU) DE 97
Dresden
University of Manchester UK 84
Imperial College London UK 78
Aalto University FI 77
University of Oxford UK 76
Polish Academy of Sciences PL 76

The companies with the most ICT publications globally in 2014 were IBM, Samsung Electronics Co.
Ltd., and Nippon Telegraph (NTT) shown in the table of the top ten publishing companies below.
Table 6-7: Number of ICT publications by company (top 8), 2014

Company npub
IBM Corporation 91
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. 45
Nippon Telegraph (NTT) 37
Intel Corporation 31
STMicroelectronics SA 29
Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology 29
Polyera Corporation 18
Diamond Light Source Ltd 16
Hewlett Packard Corporation 14

The next section looks at patenting activity in nanotechnology and ICT, over time, by country of
applicant, by applicant organisation and by patents granted.

298
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
299
Interuniversitair Micro-Elekctronica Centrum Vzw

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7 PATENTING IN ICT NANOTECHNOLOGY

7.1 Overview
This section looks at patenting activity in nanotechnology and ICT by patent filings and patents
granted at the leading global patent offices and by country of applicant and country of inventor, and
by organisation, including companies, over the time-period 1999-2011.
The patents and patent families (groups of patents related to the same invention) were identified by
searching using the combination of keywords (identified within the NanoData project for the sector
(and sub-sector, as appropriate)) and IPC (International Patent Classification) numbers. The IPC
numbers used were both those for nanotechnology (i.e. B82, or B82Y for manufactured
nanomaterials) and those related to the sector under consideration (ICT, health, energy, etc.) 300.
The patent family to which the patents belonged was identified and all the patents in the patent
families were retrieved.
The search was made for patents registered at the USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office), EPO
(European Patent Office) and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) thereby identifying
USPTO, EPO and PCT applications. PCT301 applications registered at WIPO are protected under the
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), an international treaty that enables the filing of patents to protect
inventions in the countries302 that are members of the treaty.

7.2 Number and evolution over time of ICT nanotechnology patent families
Using the above methodology, 45,127 (simple) nanotechnology patent families 303, 304 of granted
patents and patent applications were found in the period 1993-2011305. All were from the European
Patent Office (EPO or EP), US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or US) or the World Intellectual
Property Organisation (WIPO)306.
In the same period, the number of ICT-related patent families identified among the nanotechnology
patents is 5,536, 12.3% of all nanotechnology patent families. As applications may have been filed
with multiple authorities, the percentages for PCT, EP and US do not sum to 100%. The highest
percentage of applications relating to ICT and nanotechnology is in the US (91.8%) and the lowest
at the EPO (35.4%), the difference being almost a factor of three.
Table 7-1: Absolute numbers and percentages of patents on ICT and nanotechnology

Nanotechnology and ICT Absolute Number Percentage

Applications (1993-2011)
Total Patent Families 5,536 100%
PCT Applications 2,521 45.5%

EP Applications 1,960 35.4%

US Applications 5,084 91.8%

300
Thus all patent documents including at least one of the keywords (in title or abstract) was found but only
when the patent was classified as being related to at least one of the sectorial IPC codes.
301
http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/
302
By filing one international patent application under the PCT, applicants can simultaneously seek protection
for an invention in 148 countries throughout the world.
http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/pct_contracting_states.html
303
The definition of simple family is used, in which all documents having exactly the same priority or
combination of priorities belong to one patent family (http://www.epo.org/searching/essentials/patent-
families/definitions.html ). The patent families include at least one PCT, EPO or USPTO patent application.
304
A patent family is defined by WIPO (the World Intellectual Property Organisation) as a set
of patent applications inter-related by either priority claims or PCT national phase entries, normally
containing the same subject matter. http://www.wipo.int/
305
This year refers to the oldest year of the priority patents.
306
While patents can be filed in individual patent offices, many inventors choose to file applications under the
Patent Classification Treaty (PCT). All WIPO applications are PCT applications.

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Figure 7-1: Number of patent families by filing authority (PCT, EPO, and USPTO)

The figure below shows the evolution over time of patent applications to WIPO (PCT), the EPO or
USPTO as measured by the percentage of patent families.

Figure 7-2: Evolution over time of WIPO (PCT), EPO and USPTO ICT nanotechnology
patenting
The percentage of ICT nanotechnology patent applications in the EPO has dropped significantly over
time, while the percentage has been more stable for USPTO and PCT filings 307. This trend may
indicate that patent filing in the US has remained important while the importance of filing in Europe
has decreased.

7.3 Activity by filing country and region

By looking at PCT applications, it is possible to obtain an indication of the relative patenting activity
of countries and regions. The top ten patent authorities through which PCT applications were filed
are shown in the table, the US being by far the most prolific, followed by Japan, Europe (EPO) and
the UK. The sum of the figures for the European patent offices in this top ten table and the EPO is
just 427, considerably less than in the US. Even if all the remaining EU countries are allocated the

307
It should be noted that the cost of applying for a US patent for an extended market is low compared with an
EPO patent. There is less scrutiny of a US patent and there is evidence that a higher proportion of US
patents are granted for inventions that are not novel, resulting in litigation later.

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figure of the lowest European country in the table (France, 59), the total for the EU28 plus the EPO
is less than the US.
Table 7-2: Number of nanotechnology ICT patent families by PCT receiving authority

Receiving Authority No. of Patent Families

(1993-2011)
United States 1161
Japan 511
European Patent Office (EPO) 194
United Kingdom 98
International Bureau (WIPO) 97
Germany 76
Korea 68
France 59
Canada 45
Australia 30

7.4 Activity by country of applicant

PATENT APPLICATIONS
Within the group of 5,536 ICT-related nanotechnology patent families, there is one or more EU28 or
EFTA applicant in only 20% of them while there is participation from the rest of the world in over
80% of cases.
Table 7-3: Origin of patent applicants, EU/EFTA and Rest of world (1993-2011)

EU28 & EFTA Rest of World

Number of ICT nanotechnology patent families 1,020 4,691
Percentage of ICT nanotechnology patent families 18.4% 84.7%

Applicants may file patents with more than one patent authority, e.g. at the USPTO and as at the
EPO. The table below shows the data for the top 25 countries of applicants, as well as indicating the
percentage of patent families for each. EU28 and EFTA countries are marked in bold. As patents may
be filed with more than one authority (including PCT, US and EP applications), the percentages can
sum to more than 100%.
By far the highest number of patent families is found where the country of the applicant is the US,
followed by two Asiatic countries (Japan and, at considerable distance, Korea). Following these
countries, there are European countries with a relatively high number of patent families: Germany
(330), and then the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and France with between 175 and 200 patent
families each.
Among the countries in the table with lower number of patent families, there are also several
European countries, such as Austria (10) and Ireland (8).

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Table 7-4: Patent families by country of applicant, numbers and percentages (1993-2011)

Country of applicant No. of Patent PCT US EP

Families
1 United States 2196 58.9% 98.6% 39.2%
2 Japan 1787 30.0% 89.9% 25.4%
3 Korea 422 19.2% 92.7% 19.7%
4 Germany 330 67.3% 78.5% 63.9%
5 Netherlands 197 52.8% 88.3% 63.5%
6 United Kingdom 181 85.1% 79.0% 60.2%
7 France 175 60.6% 84.0% 80.0%
8 Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) 122 6.6% 100.0% 6.6%
9 Canada 100 67.0% 100.0% 41.0%
10 China 86 36.0% 89.5% 15.1%
11 Australia 56 64.3% 91.1% 48.2%
12 Belgium 47 31.9% 89.4% 85.1%
13 Switzerland 46 76.1% 82.6% 73.9%
14 Sweden 42 92.9% 78.6% 64.3%
15 Israel 42 81.0% 97.6% 45.2%
16 Italy 40 60.0% 75.0% 65.0%
17 Singapore 39 64.1% 87.2% 35.9%
18 Russian Federation 29 93.1% 65.5% 51.7%
19 Spain 28 85.7% 67.9% 42.9%
20 Finland 26 92.3% 80.8% 50.0%
21 India 14 85.7% 78.6% 50.0%
22 Denmark 11 100.0% 81.8% 54.5%
23 Austria 10 50.0% 70.0% 60.0%
24 Ireland 8 62.5% 87.5% 37.5%
25 Hong Kong 7 14.3% 100.0% 0.0%

More than 98% of patents by US applicants are filed with the USPTO while roughly 60% are filed as
PCTs. Only 39% are filed by US applicants at the EPO.
There is not a clear preference among the European applicants file more to the EPO, as applicants
in some countries seem to file more through other patent authorities (e.g. most of the patent families
from Germany or the Netherlands have a US patent application, while other countries like the United
Kingdom seem to prefer the PCT route). One explanation for this is that filing as a PCT provides
applicants with more time to evaluate their invention and develop their patent before applying for a
patent to be granted308. For example, 85% of patents have been filed as PCT by UK applicants in
the 1993-2011 period for ICT nanotechnology inventions. This compares with UK applicants filing
79% at the USPTO and 60% at the EPO.

308
In most cases, there are 30 months from the filing date of the initial patent application before an applicant
has to begin national phase procedures with individual patent offices.
http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/faqs/faqs.html

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 NanoData – Landscape Compilation - ICT

Figure 7-3: Number of patent families by country of applicant

(excluding the US and Japan)

Figure 7-4: Number of patent families by country of applicant EU28/EFTA

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Table 7-5: Patent families by country of applicant for EU28/EFTA (1993-2011)

World Country of No. of Patent PCT US EP

ranking applicant Families
2 Germany 330 67.3% 78.5% 63.9%
3 Netherlands 197 52.8% 88.3% 63.5%
5 United Kingdom 181 85.1% 79.0% 60.2%
8 France 175 60.6% 84.0% 80.0%
9 Belgium 47 31.9% 89.4% 85.1%
13 Switzerland 46 76.1% 82.6% 73.9%
14 Sweden 42 92.9% 78.6% 64.3%
16 Italy 40 60.0% 75.0% 65.0%
17 Spain 28 85.7% 67.9% 42.9%
19 Finland 26 92.3% 80.8% 50.0%
20 Denmark 11 100.0% 81.8% 54.5%
24 Austria 10 50.0% 70.0% 60.0%

Looking at the non-EU/EFTA and non-US countries of applicants, the filing patterns are quite
homogeneous with a clear preference to filing most at the USPTO, like Japan and Korea, the most
active countries in patent applications.

Figure 7-5: Number of patent families by country of applicant for non-EU28/EFTA

(excluding the US and Japan)

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GRANTED PATENTS
Applicants from the same EU and EFTA countries perform strongly in patents granted, namely those
from Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Table 7-6: Country of applicant and number of patents granted at EPO and USPTO

Country of applicant No. of Patents Granted (1993-2011)

EPO USPTO
1 Germany 74 142

2 France 51 90
3 Netherlands 37 108

4 United Kingdom 23 46
5 Italy 8 19

6 Belgium 6 23
7 Switzerland 4 13
8 Sweden 3 13
9 Austria 2 4
10 Norway 2 3

11 Spain 1 7
12 Denmark 1 2

13 Portugal 1 2
14 Finland 0 10

15 Ireland 0 4

These four main countries in terms of granted patents have more patents granted by the USPTO
than by the EPO (see red bars in figure below). In some cases, like in Germany, the Netherlands or
the UK the number of granted patents by the USPTO is twice as large as the number of patents
granted by the EPO.

Figure 7-6: Granted patents by country of applicant for EU28/EFTA

The top ten countries by number of applications are the same as the top ten countries by patents

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granted to applicants for EU and EFTA countries, as shown in the tables below.
Table 7-7: Comparison of patent filings and patents granted by country of applicant (1993-
2011)

Country of No. of Patent Country of No. of Patents

applicant Families applicant Granted

1 DE 330 1 DE 216
2 NL 197 2 NL 145
3 UK 181 3 FR 141
4 FR 175 4 UK 69
5 BE 47 5 BE 29
6 CH 46 6 IT 27
7 SE 42 7 CH 17
8 IT 40 8 SE 16
9 ES 28 9 FI 10
10 FI 26 10 ES 8

A very approximate estimate can be made of relative success in patenting between countries of
applicants by comparing the number of patent families and the number of patents granted 309. This
shows a high success rate for France and the Netherlands (followed by Italy, Germany and Belgium
and Austria with 60% or more).
Table 7-8: Estimate of relative patenting success by country of applicant

Country of applicant Granted/ Applied %

1 France 80.6

2 Netherlands 73.6
3 Italy 67.5
4 Germany 65.5

5 Belgium 61.7
6 Austria 60.0
7 Finland 38.5
8 United Kingdom 38.1
9 Sweden 38.1
10 Switzerland 37.0

When considering the country of applicant and the country of inventor as seen in patent family data,
it is clear that inventions are most often patented in the country in which they are invented (see
table below). However, it is not uncommon to have inventions that are patented outside of the
country in which they originate.

309
It should be noted that the data do not apply to the same filings as the patents applied for in 1993-2011 will
not be the same as the patents granted in 1993-2011, albeit that some overlap can be expected.

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Table 7-9: Country of applicant and country of inventor table for cross-comparison

INVT CA CH CN DE ES FR JP NL KR RU TW UK US

APPL

CA 92 9 9 5 26

CN 1 81 1 4 19

DE 293 15 11 15 60

FR 6 8 168 5 21

JP 5 6 1752 19 54

NL 14 9 25 91 12 76

KR 8 5 415 6 25

TW 15 1 98 19

UK 8 6 5 139 56

US 35 51 82 32 2068

7.5 Patenting activity by organisation type

7.5.1 Universities and public research organisations

PATENT APPLICATIONS
Of the top ten universities and public research organisations (PROs) with the highest number of
patent families (with percentages for PCT, US and EP applications), four are in the United States.
The EU28 is represented by three organisations, two in France and one in Belgium, marked in bold.
Table 7-10: Number of patent families for top ten universities and PROs (1993-2011)

Rank Country Organisation No. of patent PCT US EP

families
1 FR CEA310 110 46.4% 59.1% 36.4%
2 US University of California 69 66.7% 75.4% 24.6%
3 JP Japanese S&T Agency 67 80.6% 52.2% 32.8%
4 US California Institute of Technology 37 51.4% 97.3% 16.2%
5 KR ETRI 311
36 8.3% 80.6% 8.3%
6 FR CNRS 312
35 68.6% 45.7% 71.4%
7 US MIT 313
29 82.8% 79.3% 24.1%
8 BE IMEC314 28 10.7% 57.1% 64.3%
9 TW Industrial Technology Research 20 0.0% 100.0% 0.0%
Institute (ITRI)
10 US Rice University 18 72.2% 83.3% 22.2%

310
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic
Energy Commission, FR www.cea.fr
311
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Korea
312
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, FR
313
Massachusetts Institute for Technology, US
314
Interuniversitair Microelectronica Centrum, BE

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Looking at the top 25 performing universities and PROs for patent families, 15 out of 25 are from
outside the US, 6 being from the EU28 or EFTA (from France, Belgium, Germany, Spain and the
United Kingdom). The tables show the top ten universities and PROs by number of patent families,
followed by the top non-US universities and PROs (based on top 25 universities and PROs).
The table below shows the top 18 performing universities and PROs for patent families in EU28/EFTA
countries. French organisations perform strongly (the two top organisations), as do organisations in
Germany and the UK.
Table 7-11: Number of patent families in the top 20 EU28/EFTA universities and PROs (1993-
2011)

Rank Country Organisation No. of Patent PCT US EP

families
1 FR CEA315 110 46.4% 59.1% 36.4%
2 FR CNRS316 35 68.6% 45.7% 71.4%
3 BE IMEC 317
28 10.7% 57.1% 64.3%
4 DE Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft 11 36.4% 27.3% 18.2%
5 ES CSIC 318
11 81.8% 0.0% 18.2%
6 UK Cambridge University 9 100.0% 22.2% 22.2%
8 FI VTT 319
9 44.4% 44.4% 44.4%
7 BE KU Leuven 8 25.0% 50.0% 50.0%
9 UK University of Glasgow 5 60.0% 40.0% 60.0%
10 UK University of Oxford (ISIS 4 75.0% 50.0% 50.0%
Innovation)

GRANTED PATENTS
Of the top 15 universities and research organisations, four are from the EU28/EFTA countries (as
shown in the first of the two tables below which is ranked by the highest number of EPO patents
granted between 1993 and 2011). Seven of the organisations are from the US.
Ranking by the number of USPTO patents granted between 1993 and 2011, six of the top 15
universities and research organisations are in the US with just three in the EU28/EFTA (CEA, IMEC
and CNRS). See second table below.

315
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic
Energy Commission www.cea.fr
316
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
317
Interuniversitair Microelectronica Centrum
318
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, the Spanish National Research Council www.csic.es
319
Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus, Technical Research Centre of Finland www.vtt.fi

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Table 7-12: Universities / research organisations granted patents, by EPO patent numbers

Rank Country Organisation EP US

1 FR CEA 16 43
2 FR CNRS320 12 13
3 BE IMEC 7 19
4 JP Japanese S&T Agency 5 30
5 US Rice University 3 12
6 US California Institute of Technology 2 34
7 US Stanford University 2 11
8 US Northwestern University 2 9
9 US Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation 2 4
10 DE Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft 2 2
11 KR Korea University 2 2
12 JP Kyoto University 2 1
13 US University of California 1 31
14 KR Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute 1 24
15 US MIT 1 21

Table 7-13: Universities / research organisations granted patents, by USPTO patent

numbers

Rank Country Organisation US EP

1 FR CEA 43 16
2 US California Institute of Technology 34 2
3 US University of California 31 1
4 JP Japanese S&T Agency 30 5
5 KR Electronics and Telecommunications Research 24 1
Institute
6 US MIT 21 1
7 BE IMEC 19 7
8 TW Industrial Technology Research 15 0
Institute (ITRI)
9 FR CNRS 13 12
10 KR Korea Institute of Science and Technology 12 1
(KIST)
11 US Rice University 12 3
12 US Stanford University 11 2
13 JP National Institute of Advanced Industrial 10 0
Science and Technology (AIST)
14 US Northwestern University 9 2
15 KR Korea Advanced Institute of Science and 8 0
Technology (KAIST)

320
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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7.5.2 Activity of companies

PATENT APPLICATIONS
Of the top ten companies with the highest number of patent families (with percentages for PCT, US
and EP applications), five are in Japan and three the United States. Germany is the only EU28 country
that features in the table, marked in bold. It should be noted that some may be holding companies
rather than research companies or manufacturers.
Table 7-14: Number of patent families for top ten companies (1993-2011)

Country Company No. of Patent PCT US EP

families
1 JP Toshiba 239 5% 98% 7%

2 KR Samsung 194 5% 80% 21%

3 US IBM Corp 169 43% 94% 25%

4 JP TDK Corp 159 13% 96% 16%

5 US Hewlett Packard Co 133 44% 64% 52%

6 JP Sony Corp 129 26% 87% 30%

7 JP Fujitsu Ltd 122 23% 87% 0%

8 JP Hitachi 121 17% 83% 14%

9 US Seagate 87 29% 87% 2%

10 DE Infineon Technologies 85 48% 74% 39%

Table 7-15: Number of patent families for top ten non-US companies (1993-2011)

World Country Company No. of PCT US EP

rank Patent
families
1 JP Toshiba 239 5% 98% 7%
2 KR Samsung 194 5% 80% 21%
4 JP TDK Corp 159 13% 96% 16%
6 JP Sony Corp 129 26% 87% 30%
7 JP Fujitsu Ltd 122 23% 87% 0%
8 JP Hitachi 121 17% 83% 14%
10 DE Infineon Technologies 85 48% 74% 39%
11 NL Hitachi Global Storage Technologies BV 83 0% 84% 25%
12 JP Matsushita Elect Co Ltd 71 62% 66% 34%
13 JP Fujifilm Corp 66 11% 79% 42%
14 NL Philips 65 91% 51% 0%
15 JP NEC Corp 63 60% 73% 17%

GRANTED PATENTS
The top ten companies that have been granted patents by the EPO and/or USPTO are shown in the
tables below321. The first table shows the top ten when the figures are sorted to obtain the highest
number of EPO patents and the second shows the top ten when they are sorted for USPTO patents.

321
This data does not take account of there being multiple offices of one company. Where the name differs in
the database, the companies are taken as being different.

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Companies from the US and South Korea are among the organisations with highest number of
patents granted by the EPO. Infineon Technologies (Germany) and Philips (the Netherlands) are the
fourth and fifth companies. Another Dutch company (NXP) is also in the table, with a significant
number of EPO patents granted.
Table 7-16: Number of patent families for top ten non-US companies (1993-2011)

Country Company EP US
US IBM 23 139

US Hewlett Packard Co 20 84

KR Samsung 18 106

DE Infineon Technologies 17 57

NL Philips 15 9

US EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co 12 27

JP Fujitsu Ltd 11 72

NL NXP BV 10 9

JP Seiko Instruments 9 7

JP Toshiba 8 194

Table 7-17: USPTO and EPO granted patents by company (sorted by US patents)

Country Company US EP
JP Toshiba 194 8
US IBM 139 23
JP TDK Corp 126 8
KR Samsung 106 18
JP Hitachi 97 8
JP Sony 94 7
US Hewlett Packard 84 20
JP Fujitsu 72 11
NL Hitachi Global Storage Technologies 68 8
BV
US Seagate 66 2

Interestingly, five of the top 10 the companies with the highest number of patents granted by the
USPTO are Japanese while three are from the US. The Netherlands is the only EU28 country
represented in the table (Hitachi Global Storage Technologies BV).

The next two sections look at the ICT industry and ICT nanotechnology products and global markets.

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8 INDUSTRY AND NANOTECHNOLOGY FOR ICT

As a proxy for the nanotechnology ICT industry, this section initially presents secondary data on the
sectors of manufacturing industry for ICT in which nanotechnology is most commonly found. While
not specific to nanotechnology, it indicates the value of the sector, one in which nanotechnology is
commonly used, in terms of the number of enterprises, turnover322, production value323 and value
added324, and employment numbers, as well as expenditure on research and development (R&D).
Later in the section, information is presented about (micro- and) nano-electronics industry.

8.1 Overview of the ICT industry

Following the OECD definition325, the ICT sector includes both manufacturing, trade and services
sub-sectors. For this report, only the ICT manufacturing sub-sectors are taken into account and
within this sub-set only the following sub-sectors, given the scope of nanotechnology in ICT:
• Manufacture of electronic components and (loaded) boards (NACE Rev.2. 26.1);
• Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment (NACE Rev.2. 26.2); and
• Manufacture of magnetic and optical media (NACE Rev. 2.26.9).

8.1.1 Number of EU ICT manufacturing enterprises

In 2012, a total of 16,640 firms were active in the above manufacturing sectors, of which most
(60%) were active in the manufacture of electronic components and boards. The table below shows
the number of enterprises for the above three types of ICT manufacturers 326. The manufacture of
electronic components and boards is the biggest sector, in terms of numbers of enterprises, value
added and employment. The manufacture of magnetic and optical media is rather small (454 firms
in 2012).
Table 8-1: Number of manufacturing enterprises involved in ICT manufacturing

Manufacturing 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Electronic : : : 10,500 10,000 10,333 10,272 9,986
components and
boards
Computers and : : : 6,970 : 7,000 6,045 6,200
peripheral
equipment
Magnetic and : : : 426 418 473 410 454
optical media
Total : : : 17,896 : 16,788 16,727 16,640

Note: 2005 – 2011: EU-27; 2012-2014: EU-28

Source: Eurostat, Annual detailed enterprise statistics for industry (NACE Rev. 2, B-E)

8.1.2 Turnover, production and value-added in EU ICT manufacturing

The ICT industry consists of many SMEs and a relatively small number of large enterprises, only
1.45% of the enterprise having more than 250 people employed.
Although many numbers are missing in the period 2005 – 2012, the table below confirms the general

322
Turnover is defined in these statistics as market sales of goods or services supplied to third parties (Source:
Eurostat).
323
Production value measures the amount actually produced by the unit, based on sales, including changes in
stocks and the resale of goods and services (Source: Eurostat).
324
Value added is the gross income from operating activities after adjusting for operating subsidies and indirect
taxes. Value adjustments (such as depreciation) are not subtracted (Source: Eurostat).
325
OECD Information Economy–Sector definitions based on the International Standard Industry
Classification (ISIC 4) available at http://www.oecd.org/science/scienceandtechnologypolicy/38217340.pdf ),
Annex 1, pg. 15.
326
EUROSTAT (2015) Annual detailed enterprise statistics for industry (NACE Rev. 2, B-E)

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assessment of the European ICT sector by the Joint Research Centre - Institute for Prospective
Technological Studies (JCR-IPTS) in the PREDICT 2015 report327.
Overall, the whole ICT sector value-added amounted to EUR 516.5 billion in 2012, representing a
share of 3.99% of EU GDP. ICT services contributed by far the largest share of ICT sector value
added (92.27% in 2012), accounting for 3.68% of EU GDP, but the ICT manufacturing value added
contributed only 7.73% of ICT sector value added totalling 0.31% of GDP. Since 2006, the share of
ICT manufacturing value added has dropped significantly from 12.18% in 2006 to 7.73% in 2012.
Table 8-2: Turnover, production value and value added of ICT manufacturing enterprises

Manufacturing 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Turnover value in million EUR
Electronic : : : 74,310 : 70,000 67,663 58,734
components and
boards
Computers and : : : 46,838 37,392 30,000 30,226 31,032
peripheral equipment
Magnetic and optical : : : : 281 271 245 330
media
Total : : : : : 100,271 98,222 90,096
Production value in million EUR
Electronic : : : 65,888 47,708 : 59,470 51,846
components and
boards
Computers and : : : 41,101 : 27,065 26,403 :
peripheral equipment
Magnetic and optical : : : : 270 231 226 265
media
Total 86,114
Value added in million EUR
Electronic : : : 19,431 : 19,000 : 16,437
components and
boards
Computers and : : : 7,260 5,463 5,795 5,350 5,867
peripheral equipment
Magnetic and optical : : : : 74 77 77 70
media
Total 24,872 22,374

Source: Eurostat, Annual detailed enterprise statistics for industry (NACE Rev. 2, B-E)

The value-added of ICT manufacturing decreased significantly in the period 2008 – 2012 (annual
growth rates between -6% and -23 %), with only a small recovery in 2010. This shows that ICT
manufacturing has suffered more from the downturn of economic activity than ICT services, and it
continued to decrease in 2012 after a short revival in 2010.
Within the ICT manufacturing, as defined above, the manufacturing of electronic components and
boards has the largest share with a value added share of 0.13% of GDP in 2012.

327
Matilde Mas and Juan Fernández de Guevara Radoselovics (2015) THE 2015 PREDICT REPORT. An Analysis
of ICT R&D in the EU and Beyond, EUR 27510 EN – Joint Research Centre – Institute for Prospective
Technological Studies

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8.1.3 Employment in EU ICT manufacturing

PREDICT 2015 reports that the total ICT sector in 2012 employed 6.18 million people, representing
2.76% of total employment. This employment is highly concentrated in ICT services (87%), implying
an employment of about 800,000 in manufacturing. Overall, ICT sector employment increased by
0.97% from 2011 to 2012, but this figure represents job losses in ICT manufacturing (-3.96%) and
job creation in ICT services (1.75%).
Also the three ICT manufacturing subsectors considered in this report show substantial job losses in
the period 2008 –2012 (see table below) amounting to 380,000 people employed in 2012.
In 2012, the large enterprises (employing 250 or more people) in the ICT manufacturing (three
subsectors) employed 52% (1,963,000 people) of the total ICT manufacturing (three subsectors)
workforce in the EU28 and generated 68% of the total turnover and 63% of the total value added
in 2012.
Table 8-3: Employment in EU manufacturing enterprises involved in ICT

Manufacturing 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Number of people employed (‘00s)
Electronic : : : 3,400 3.010 3.080 3,010 2,928
components and
boards
Computers and : : : 1,154 947 930 870 859
peripheral
equipment
Magnetic and : : : 28 21 17 : 16
optical media
Total : : : 4,582 3,978 4,027 : 3,803

According to the PREDICT 2015 report, Germany (24.98%) dominated ICT manufacturing (full sub-
set), followed by Italy (15.80%), the UK (13.28%), Sweden (9.00%) and France (7.09%). The
thirteen new Member States contributed more to ICT sector value added in ICT manufacturing
(12.23%) than in ICT services (7.36%), probably because of the offshoring of activities towards
these new Member States.
For the three ICT manufacturing subsectors discussed in this report, the highest value added came
from Germany (25%), France (15%), United Kingdom (12%), Italy (11%) and Ireland (9%) in 2012.
Ireland was the most specialised Member State with both manufacturing of electronic components
and boards and manufacturing of computers and peripheral equipment, contributing 1.5% of the
Irish non-financial business economy value-added in 2010. The Czech Republic is the most
specialised Member State in the manufacturing of magnetic and optical media. Germany employed
the largest number of people with over 99,500, followed by France (52,200), Italy (45,000) and the
United Kingdom (37,600). Hungary, Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic also have a relatively
large share in employment (3% to 6%).

8.1.4 EU Business R&D expenditures in ICT manufacturing

The PREDICT 2015 report shows that in 2012, the total ICT sector business R&D expenditures
(BERD) amounted to 28.87 billion euros, 3.42% more than in 2011 in nominal terms, which meant
a growth of 1.05% in real terms. This amount was divided between manufacturing (EUR 11.80
billion) and services (EUR 17.07 billion).
The ICT sector is one of the most R&D-intensive sectors in the EU economy. In 2012, the total ICT
sector BERD made up 16.87% of total BERD, while ICT sector value added represented only 3.99%
of GDP. The ICT manufacturing sector is much more R&D intensive than ICT services; more than 8
times higher.
Looking at business R&D expenditures (BERD) in the three subsectors relevant for this report, these
subsectors spent EUR 4.67 billion on R&D in 2012 (based on figures for individual Member States).
In 2012, 35% of ICT manufacturing BERD was invested in Manufacturing of electronic components
and boards (EUR 4.12 billion). The manufacture of electronic components and boards has the second

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highest R&D intensity (24%, BERD/value added) in the total ICT sector.
According to Eurostat328, the German ICT manufacturing industry (three subsectors) had the largest
EU business R&D expenditures (EUR 2.14 billion), followed by France (EUR 968 million) and Italy
(EUR 589 million).
According to the PREDICT 2015 report, in 2012, 10% of employees in the EU ICT manufacturing
were R&D personnel. Manufacture of computers (9.59%) and Manufacture of electronic components
(8.59%) belong to the ICT subsectors that have the highest R&D intensity.

8.1.5 Innovative EU ICT manufacturing enterprises

From the Community Innovation Survey (CIS) 2012329, the EU28 includes 8,259 firms in
manufacturing of computer, electronic, and optical products (NACE Rev 2. 26) that considered
themselves to be innovative firms (80% of these manufacturing firms in the CIS data). Of these
innovative firms, 7,339 are product and/or process innovative firms (of which 2,192 are only product
and/or process innovative firms).

8.2 Nanotechnology in the ICT industry

The use of nanotechnology in ICT and in electronic components and devices (such as computer
processors, memory storage), is also referred to as nano-electronics. Micro- and nano-electronics
are selected as one of the six Key Enabling Technologies. Micro- and nano-electronics are often
mentioned as semiconductor manufacturing, but it is also very much related to design technology,
cyber-physical systems and systems integration. Nevertheless, when discussing the value and
impact of micro- and nano-electronics, it is mainly referring to the semiconductor ecosystem.
In its European Industrial Strategic Roadmap for Micro- and Nano-Electronic Components and
Systems (2014), the Electronic Leaders Group presents the micro- and nano-electronic system value
chain and its breakdown into sub-systems, components and their materials, along with the value of
production and market share won by Europe (see figure below). According to them, the industry in
Europe has a 20% share at level 1 (equipment and materials) and a 9% at level 2 (semiconductors
and other components).

Figure 8-1: Europe in the electronics value chain

328
EUROSTAT (2015) Business enterprise R&D expenditure (BERD) by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2)
329
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/science-technology-innovation/data/database

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Moreover, in terms of value generated from the whole supply chain (including design, equipment,
and material as well as from fab-less and virtual components activities), Europe's share of value
produced in 2012 is between 10 and 11% of the world market (see also figure below).

Figure 8-2: Share of production capacity by country of Fab Location in 2013

(in Waferstarts per month; 8 inches equivalent) – KETs Observatory – First Annual Report, May 2015

Oxford Economics330 calculated the value added of European semiconductor industry at USD 24.2
billion, but when including the indirect (in the value chain) and induced impact (on other industries)
the value added is estimated at USD 77 billion in 2012. The figure below puts the European position
in a global perspective. Europe has a share of 13.8% in the global value added directly generated
by the semiconductor industry.

Oxford Economics (2014) Enabling the Hyperconnected Age: The role of semiconductors, prepared for the
Global Semiconductor Alliance

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Source: Oxford Economics

Figure 8-3: GDP impacts of semiconductor industry worldwide

According to the European Industrial Strategic Roadmap for Micro- and Nano-Electronic Components
and Systems (2014), the European semiconductor manufacturing industry is based in a large number
of sites, but high volume manufacturing of leading edge technologies is centred on a few clusters
(see the figure below). The inset in the figure below shows that the annual output in equivalent
200mm wafer starts per months in Europe has grown over two decades, but is now in decline.

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Source: European Industrial Strategic Roadmap for Micro- and Nano-Electronic Components and Systems
(2014), the Electronic Leaders Group: based on Gartner, Yole, SEMI.

Figure 8-4: Semiconductor manufacturing landscape in Europe in 2013

According the first Annual Report of the KETs Observatory (May 2015), Germany holds the highest
share of production in micro-and nano-electronics, although they experienced a decline in 2012 and
2013 mainly due to the lower production of photosensitive semiconductor devices as used in
photovoltaics as a result of lower public subsidies for PV panels in several EU countries. Italy has
increased its share of production, surpassing France. The production share of the UK and Sweden is
getting smaller (see figure below).

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Source: KETs Observatory – First Annual Report, May 2015331

Figure 8-5: Share of production for the top 10 EU-28 countries in Micro- and
Nanoelectronics (%)

Germany has also the largest European share in turnover in micro- and Nano electronics (50% in
2013) (turnover at headquarters level). France follows with 20% with the Netherlands in the third
position with 17.5%. See also the figure below.

Source: KETs Observatory – First Annual Report, May 2015311

Figure 8-6: Share of turnover for the top 10 EU-28 countries in Micro- and Nanoelectronics
(%)

In its second report (December 2015), the KETs Observatory focused on the extent to which the EU
is using the potential of KETs to manufacture KETs-based products and applying KETs in production
processes, covering a large part of the value chain. Following this approach, micro- and nano-
electronics enabled an EU production volume of EUR 306 billion in 2013. Germany, France, the UK

331
Including the 10 EU-28 countries with the highest share of production in the respective KET with respect to
the production of all 28 countries. Original source: PRODCOM database – IDEA Consult calculation

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and Italy hold the top positions in terms of share of production. Spain and Poland also show
considerable activity in this area.

Source: KETs Observatory – Second Report, December 2015332

Figure 8-7: Share of KETs-enabled production for the TOP 10 EU-28 countries in Micro-
and Nanoelectronics (%)

Estimates of the European workforce employed by the semiconductor industry differ substantially,
depending on which part of the value chain is included. Oxford Economics estimates the
semiconductor workforce at 105,000 employees, which is similar to the workforce in Japan and
Korea, but half the workforce in China or the US. The figure below shows the global distribution of
the semiconductor workforce in 2012, according to Oxford Economics (2014).

Figure 8-8: Geographic distribution of direct employment in the semiconductor industry

Other estimates, mentioned in various European industry strategy reports, amount to 200,000 to
250,000 people employed in the European semiconductor ‘ecosystem’ and 800,000 people engaged
in the integration of components into systems, applications and services, and further 2,500,000

332
Original source: PRODCOM database and Eurostat – TNO calculation

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people involved in the complete components value chain333.

The KETs Observatory also calculated employment figures. In its second report (December 2015),
it estimated KETs-enabled employment334 in the micro- and nano-electronics to be around 1.4 million
jobs in 2013. Germany has the highest absolute employment (430,000 employees), followed by
France (150,000). France lost about 25% of KETs employment in the last decade.
The UK, Poland, Italy and Spain also have relatively high employment figures. In addition, Hungary
and Slovakia are also among the top ten leading countries in terms of absolute employment.
Together with Ireland, these countries also lead when looking at the share in employment (dividing
the total employment in the respective KET in a certain country by the total employment of all
countries). This implies that micro-and nano-electronics is rather important compared to overall
industrial activity taking place in these countries.

Source: KETs Observatory – Second Report, December 2015335

Figure 8-9: Absolute KETs-enabled employment for the TOP 10 EU28 countries in in Micro-
and Nano-electronics

333
E.g.: European Industrial Strategic Roadmap for Micro- and Nano-Electronic Components and Systems
(2014), the Electronic Leaders Group; Communication from the Commission to the European
Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
(2013) A European Strategy for Micro- and Nano-electronic Components and Systems; Aeneas & Catrene
(2012) Innovation for the future of Europe: Nano-electronics beyond 2020; http://europa.eu/rapid/press-
release_MEMO-13-451_en.htm ;
334
Direct employment linked to manufacturing of KETs based products and Indirect employment linked to
research activities performed in companies and technical services. Upstream R&D jobs of service providers
or public R&D institutes are excluded.
335
Original source: PRODCOM database and Eurostat –Fraunhofer ISI calculations

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Source: KETs Observatory – Second Report, December 2015335

Figure 8-10: Share in KETs-enabled employment, top ten EU28 countries in micro- and
nano-electronics

The next section reports on products, markets and companies for nanotechnology and ICT.

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9 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS FOR ICT THROUGH

NANOTECHNOLOGY
9.1 Introduction
The commercial applications of nanotechnology in the field of ICT include: nanotechnology-enabled
data storage technologies (e.g. hard disc media and computer memory); materials to make ICT
(e.g. conductive inks for printed electronics); materials to enhance ICT (e.g. electro-conductive
coatings); and nanotechnology-enabled components (e.g. multilayer ceramic capacitors and
magnetic nanocomposites). A future market is anticipated in novel technology applications such as
spin waves, spintronics, and quantum dot technologies.
The next section looks at global markets and forecasts for ICT products using nanotechnology.

9.2 Global markets and forecasts for ICT products using nanotechnology
Global sales for nanotechnology products in the ICT sector were estimated to be USD 2 billion in
2013 and are forecast to be USD 10.2 billion in 2019. The figure below shows the forecast growth
in commercialised products (USD 9.9 billion in 2019) and the expected growth in emerging products
(USD 373 million in 2019). It is seen that much of the growth is expected to be driven by products
that have already been commercialised.

Source: BCC Research, 2014

Figure 9-1: Global market outlook for nanotechnology in ICT to 2019

Related to the markets for ICT are the markets for electronics, details of estimates and forecasts for
some of which are given in the table below.

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Table 9-1: Global market values for electronics (multiple sources)

Market value USD Future market value USD CAGR

(year specified) (year specified) %
Total semi-conductor market 290bn (2013) 366bn (2017) 5%
(global)336
CMOS technology (22, 32/28 226bn (2013)338 n/a n/a
and 45/40 nm)337
Compound semi-conductors339 27bn (2012) 47.4bn (2017) 12 %
Flexible electronics via roll-to- 10.8bn (2012) 22.7bn (2017) 16 %
roll production340
Printed electronics341 4bn (2013) 15bn (2018) 30 %

The market data presented there is based mainly on reports by BCC Research342. A comparison of
global sales estimates for ICT by type of nanomaterial shows that thin films accounted for the largest
share in 2013, with further increases expected to 2019. The main driver of this trend is the expected
growth in the market for low-k dielectric coatings.

Source: BCC Research, 2014

Figure 9-2: Global sales estimates for nanotechnology and ICT by material type, 2013 and
2019
The market share of solid nanoparticles is expected to decrease by 2019 to about half of its size in
2013, while the share of the sales of thin films is projected to almost triple in the same timeframe.

336
ZVEI-Fachverband “Electronic Components and Systems; Mikroelektronik-Trendanalyse bis 2017”; April
2013 http://www.zvei.org/Verband/Pub likationen/Seiten/Mikroelektronik-Trendanalyse-bis-2017.aspx
337
VDI TZ 2013: Unternehmensbefragung nano. DE-Report 2013, June 2013
338
This breaks down into approximately one third of the total monetary value each for (i) 22nm; (ii) 32/28 nm;
and 45/40 nm.
339
BCC 2012: “Global Markets and Technologies for Compound Semiconductors”, press release, 12 September
2012 http://www.bccresearch.com/pressroom/smc/global-compound-semiconductor-component-sales-
reach-$47.4-billion-2017
340
BCC 2013: “BCC Research Projects the Flexible Devices Manufactured by Roll-to-Roll Technologies to Reach
Nearly $22.7 Billion by 2017”, Market report abstract https://bccresearch.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/roll-
to-roll-technologies/
341
IDTechEx 2012: “Conductive Ink Markets 2015­2025: Forecasts, Technologies, Players”, Market report
abstract http://www.giiresearch.com/report/ix235628-conductive-inks-markets-2012-2018.html
342
It should be noted that market estimates and forecasts undertaken by different organisations are based on
different assumptions and methodologies, sample a different set of expert opinions and use different models to
arrive at the data they present. By using data from one organisation, and linking it to original NanoData work
on products, the aim is to minimise the error between datasets. However, there is no evidence that these data
are more correct than other data. In order to address this, future work of the NanoData project will involve
stakeholder interviews and workshops having the goal of evaluating the data, working towards its validation.

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Carbon nanotubes are currently forecast to play only a marginal role in terms of shares of sales.

9.3 Commercialised products for ICT through nanotechnology

9.3.1 Overview
To date, 84 ICT-related products using nanotechnology have been identified as being commercially
available on the market. The figure shows a rough breakdown of the types of products, albeit that
some categories overlap and a decision has been taken as to which category to put them in. The
main message is that nanotechnology occurs most in components but also strongly in materials.
Components (53%) account for the biggest share of these commercialised products. Materials to
make and to improve ICT show almost equal shares (17% and 18%), while products for data storage
represent 8% of the products. Noteworthy are products in the subsector novel methods (4%), these
are quantum computers and spintronics-based sensors.

Figure 9-3: Nanotechnology products in ICT by application

9.3.2 Products for ICT through nanotechnology, by application market

The products identified are divided as follows:
• Data storage;
• Printed electronics;
• Chemical-mechanical polishing compounds (CMP compounds);
• Electrostatic discharge protection and prevention (ESD);
• Low-k dielectric coatings;
• Electro-conductive coatings;
• Electronic shielding (POSS); and
• Components
In each case, details are given of the technology and its purpose as well as market estimates and
forecasts. Company case studies and company snapshots provide additional information. Existing
applications and emerging applications are considered. There is also a section on novel technologies
(e.g. spintronics).
9.3.2.1 Data storage
This section looks first at existing applications (hard disc media and heads; magnetic recording
tapes; and optical recording media) and then at emerging applications (computer memory; and
holographic memory).

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EXISTING APPLICATIONS
A HARD DISC MEDIA AND HEADS

Digital information can be stored in different types of device depending on the use and how
frequently the required access. For example, data to be stored for a long time with infrequent access
are normally stored in hard disc drives. These are magnetic devices with high data density —
nowadays on the order of terabytes — in which information is encoded in the direction of
magnetisation of small areas of a magnetic medium. Each of these magnetic 'bits' stores a logic '0'
or '1', and is written or read by a recording head that traverses the disc at a distance of a few
nanometres. The information stored in hard disc drives is non-volatile as it persists after power to
the device has been cut off. The speed of access to the data is relatively slow (milliseconds) because
the read/write procedures are mechanical343.
Hard disc drives using magnetic recording are likely among the most complex devices using
nanotechnology. Today’s commercial hard disc drives can store information at > 600 Gbit/in 2, with
data bits < 60nm x 15nm, read sensor dimensions < 50nm x 30nm, and the recording head “flying”
a few nanometres (nm) above the nanostructured recording disc. To maintain this technological
evolution, every facet of the magnetic recording system must be continuously reduced in dimensions
while maintaining adequate signal-to-noise ratio for writing and reading information344. Each disc
surface is made from a complex structure of thin metal films. These layers work together to store
magnetic data which can be written with and read by a recording head. Technological advances have
enabled the amount of data that can be stored per square centimetre to double each year for the
last decade. The ‘read head’ of a current hard disc drives uses the effect of giant magneto-resistivity
(GMR) to sense the magnetic data. GMR sensors use metallic strips, less than 2nm thick, which are
extremely sensitive to changes in magnetic fields. These are connected electrically to the disc drive
electronics345.
In 2013, Western Digital announced a nanotechnology breakthrough that will allow the company to
double data storage capacity on hard disc drives (HDD). The discovery was made by HGST Labs, a
company owned by Western Digital (WD), using nanolithography to imprint patterns on the thin film
of hard drive platters where data is to be stored. The discovery allows for twice the bit density of
today's disc drives346.
MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS 347

The total materials cost of the sputtered magnetic coatings used on hard discs is estimated at USD
416 million in 2013 and USD 429 million in 2014. It is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth
rate (CAGR) of 6.4% to USD 585 million in 2019.

Company snapshot: Western Digital

Founded in 1970, Western Digital Corp.348, Irvine, California (US) is a global provider of
solutions for the collection, storage, management, protection and use of digital content,
including audio and video. As a storage technology leader, the company produces hard disc
drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs) and also home entertainment and networking
products. Its products are marketed under the HGST and WD brands to original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, resellers, cloud infrastructure providers and consumers.
As of July 3, 2015, WDC employed a total of over 76,000 employees worldwide, excluding
temporary employees and contractors and had approximately 9,700 engineers. It had a net
revenue in 2014 of USD 14,572 million and a gross profit of USD 4,221 million. Its research
and development expenses totalled USD 1,646 million. The company has one of the industry’s
largest patent portfolios with more than 7,000 active patents worldwide.

343
Nature Nanotechnology Editorial: Memory with a spin, Nature Nanotechnology 10, (2015): 185
344
http://www.mse.engin.umich.edu/about/events/nanotechnology-and-future-of-the-hard-disk-drive
345
https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/professional/nanobasics/nano/accessWeb/technology.html
346
COMPUTERWORLD: Western Digital claims HDD capacity doubled with nanotech breakthrough, March 1,
2013
347
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment
348
http://www.wdc.com/

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Source: BCC Research 2014

Figure 9-4: Global market for sputtered magnetic coatings used on hard discs to 2019

B MAGNETIC RECORDING TAPES

Magnetic recording tapes used for video, audio and digital data storage consist of a magnetic coating
deposited onto a non-magnetic support by either a particulate coating process or vapour deposition
(evaporation). Traditionally, the magnetic particles used to form magnetic recording layers have
been gamma-iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3 or maghemite), cobalt-modified gamma-iron oxide (Co-γ-Fe2O3)
or cobalt-modified magnetite (Co-Fe3O4). Generally speaking, the more demanding the storage
requirements, the smaller the particle size required. Particles of γ-Fe2O3 or Co-γ-Fe2O3 about 200
nm to 400 nm in length and 25 nm to 50 nm in width are commonly used to form magnetic coatings
on audio and video recording tapes, which do not require extremely high recording densities. High-
density storage applications tend to use metallic iron or iron-cobalt particles of less than 100 nm in
length in order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio and the film smoothness349. In addition to
magnetic iron/iron oxide nanoparticles, the magnetic layer of recording tape typically includes
alumina nanoparticles as an additive to reduce tape wear350. Some of the company activities in this
include:
• In 2001, Fuji Film introduced its NANO CUBIC technology, an ultra-thin layer coating that
results in higher resolution for recording digital data, ultra-low noise and high signal to-noise
ratios that are ideal for magneto resistive (MR) heads. Two types of magnetic particles were
developed for NANO CUBIC technology, both tens of nanometers in size: acicular
ferromagnetic alloy particle and tabular ferromagnetic hexagonal barium ferrite particle351.
• Also in 2014, Sony Corporation announced that, by independently developing a soft magnetic
underlayer with a smooth interface using sputter deposition, it had succeeded in creating a
nano-grained magnetic layer with fine magnetic particles and uniform crystalline orientation.
This enabled Sony to achieve the highest areal recording density for tape storage media of 148
Gb/in2 (gigabits per square inch). This areal recording density is equivalent to approximately
74 times the capacity of current mainstream coated magnetic tape storage media, and makes
it possible to record more than 185 TB (terabytes) of data per data cartridge352.

349
Also because metallic particles exhibit higher coercivities, i.e. the intensity of the applied magnetic field
required to reduce the magnetisation of a ferromagnetic material to zero from its magnetic saturation
state.
350
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.63
351
FUJI Film: Product Information
352
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201404/14-044E/

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Company snapshot: Fujifilm

Fujifilm Recording Media U.S.A., Inc353. is the US-based manufacturing, marketing and sales
operation of Fujifilm Corporation for professional broadcast video and data tape recording
media, with branches also in Europe354 including Germany. The company provides broadcast
and data centre customers and industry partners with a wide range of data centre accessories,
services and archival solutions. Fujifilm has developed innovative data storage products based
on thin-film engineering and magnetic particle science such as Fujifilm NANOCUBIC
technology, an ultra-thin layer coating introduced in 2001. In 2013, Fujifilm surpassed the 100
million LTO Ultrium data cartridges manufactured and sold since introduction.
Fujifilm Holdings Corporation was founded in 1939 in Tokyo, Japan. Originally a photographic
film maker company, nowadays it works in the areas of: highly functional materials, such as
flat panel display materials; optical devices, such as broadcast and cinema lenses; digital
imaging; graphic systems; and healthcare, with medical systems, pharmaceuticals and
cosmetics. In the year ended March 31, 2015, the company had over 79,000 employees and
global revenues of USD 20.8 billion355.

MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS

Magnetic recording media consume significant but declining amounts of alumina and iron oxide thin
film materials, as shown in the figure below.

Source: BCC Research, 2014

Figure 9-5: Global market for oxide thin film materials used in magnetic tapes

353
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/gateway/recording_media/
354
http://www.fujifilm.eu/eu/products/recording-media/
355
https://www.fujifilmholdings.com/en/investors/annual_reports/2015/pack/pdf/Annual-Report-2015.pdf
(USD figures at an exchange rate of 120 yen to the USD)

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C OPTICAL RECORDING MEDIA

The most common types of optical recording media (i.e. audio CD and video DVD) generally have a
50-nm thick reflective aluminium film layer that is sputtered onto a polycarbonate substrate and
spin-coated with a protective lacquer coating. The newer blu-ray discs (BD) contain a similar
reflective layer356.
MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS 357

In 2013, global consumption of nanostructured aluminium film materials in the production of optical
recording media (e.g., CD and DVDs) was about 52 metric tons, with a value of USD 1.7 million. In
the near to mid-term, consumption of nanostructured aluminium film materials for CDs and DVDs
will be driven by projected trends in unit disc sales. Data on total global shipments of optical
recording media (e.g., CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray discs) are hard to obtain, but are projected to trend
downwards as alternative content delivery and storage technologies gain market share. The figures
in the table below assume that shipments of optical storage media are decreasing at a CAGR of -
3.8%, with a proportional reduction in consumption of nanostructured aluminium thin film materials.

Source: BCC Research, 2014

Figure 9-6: Global market for thin film materials in optical recording media

EMERGING APPLICATIONS
A COMPUTER MEMORY

In the information storage industry, there is now an effort to develop new concepts for memory
devices that combine two key aspects: cheap, non-volatile, high-density information storage (as in
hard disc drives) and robust, fast access (as in random access memory (RAM)). Flash memory is an
example, as it is a solid-state yet non-volatile memory, and is currently used in mobile applications.
However, Flash is slow and has low endurance. Some development activities in the area of new
solid-state technologies358 are as follows:
• Non-volatile random-access memory (NRAM) is a carbon nanotube-based technology developed
by Nantero Inc. (Woburn, MA, USA). The memory is reported to be hundreds of times faster
than current memory for mobile devices359. In the production of NRAM, a film of carbon
nanotubes (CNTs) is deposited onto a silicon substrate that contains an underlying cell select

356
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.63
357
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.153
358
Nature Nanotechnology Editorial: Memory with a spin, Nature Nanotechnology 10, (2015): 185
359
PCWorld: Nantero's radical carbon-nanotube memory could replace SSDs and DRAM, Jun 2, 2015

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device and array lines (typically transistors or diodes) that interface the NRAM switch 360.
Advantages of NRAM are that it operates at the speed of DRAM (dynamic RAM) and is nonvolatile,
meaning it can store data when the power is switched off. The small size of carbon nanotubes
allows more data to be stored in smaller volumes, and the storage chips will consume
significantly less power than flash storage and DRAM. Using this technology, it should be possible
to increase the amount of storage and increase the battery life of laptops and mobile devices.
• Carbon-nanotube chips are just one of a number of new memory types with the potential to
replace DRAM and NAND flash. As devices get smaller, it is becoming difficult to add more
storage capacity while reducing the size of NAND flash chips. Possible DRAM and NAND flash
replacements like RRAM (resistive RAM) and MRAM (magnetoresistive RAM) are already being
used on a limited basis, and phase-change memory (PCM) — backed by IBM and Samsung — is
still being refined361.
• In 2011, scientists at Purdue University developed a computer memory using nanotechnology
that could be faster than current technology and use far less power than flash memory devices.
The new technology is called FeTRAM, for ferroelectric transistor random access memory. It
combines silicon nanowires with a "ferroelectric" polymer, a material that switches polarity when
electric fields are applied. The FeTRAM is nonvolatile storage, meaning information stays in
memory when the computer is powered down362.

B HOLOGRAPHIC MEMORY

In holographic data storage a ‘data beam’ holding information is crossed with a ‘reference beam’ to
produce an interference pattern on a light-sensitive material, thereby storing the data. To download
the data, the reference beam is shone onto the material at a given point, and the original data beam
is reconstructed through the interaction of the reference beam and the material. The data is read by
a detector that converts the beam into electrical signals.
The most common recording materials for holographic storage are inorganic crystals and polymers.
While polymers are more sensitive and require less powerful lasers than inorganic crystals, they
have a greater tendency to deform, thereby corrupting the data363.
Holographic memory can potentially store 1 terabyte364 (TB) of data in a crystal smaller than one
centimeter cubed. Data from more than 1,000 CDs could fit on a holographic memory system. Most
computer hard drives only hold 10 to 40 GB of data, a small fraction of what a holographic memory
system might hold365. Developments in the area include:
• In 2014, a collaboration between researchers from the University of California, Riverside Bourns
College of Engineering and the Russian Academy of Science demonstrated a holographic memory
device using spin waves – a collective oscillation of spins in magnetic materials – instead of the
optical beams. Spin waves devices have the advantage of being compatible with the conventional
electronic devices and could operate at a much shorter wavelength than optical devices, enabling
the production of smaller electronic devices with greater storage capacity. The research
combines the advantages of the magnetic data storage with wave-based information transfer366.
• Several promising technologies have been developed by companies such as InPhase
Technologies, Colossal Storage and GE Global Research. The Colossal Storage system is
apparently the only one that uses nanophotonic technology, in which light interacts with
nanoscale structures. In other holographic technologies, the light interacts with the storage
medium on a macroscale (> 100 nm) level. The Colossal Storage technology uses a UV laser to
write data spots as small as 30 nm in a ferroelectric perovskite thin film367.
By 2019, sales of nano-devices currently under development, primarily nanostructured holographic

360
http://nantero.com/technology/
361
Ibid
362
UPI Science News: New computer memory uses nanotechnology, Sept. 27, 2011
363
MIT Technology Review: Holographic Memory, September 1, 2005
364
A terabyte of data equals 1,000 gigabytes, 1 million megabytes or 1 trillion bytes.
365
How Stuff Works Tech: How Holographic Memory Will Work,
366
University of California, Riverside, UCR Today: Using Holograms to Improve Electronic Devices, February 19,
2014
367
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.104

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memory, are projected to reach USD 50 million by 2019368.

Case study: Nantero

Located in Woburn, Massachusetts, Nantero369 is a nanotechnology based semiconductor
company with a large presence in Sunnyvale, California. Nantero was founded in 2001 with an
idea of making memory chips based on carbon nanotubes to address the existing challenge
with respect to flash and digital random access memory (DRAM) such as storing data with high
speed without any losses. To meet the industry needs and address the existing challenges,
Nantero has leveraged the carbon nanotubes (CNT) to develop low power, super-fast and high
density non-volatile random access memory (NRAM).
Nantero’s NRAM is developed based on the proprietary concepts of CNT and it is derived from
the leading edge research in nanotechnology. NRAM is developed by depositing a thin film
made up of CNT on a silicon substrate. CNT memory cells are in the matrix form and it is
deposited on the substrate in such a way that it can be either separated or touching each other
depending on the position of CNT cells. The substrate also comprises of array lines which are
made of transistor and diodes and acts as the interface to the NRAM switch. Carbon nanotubes
are sandwiched between metal electrodes. Depending on the resistive state of the CNT film,
NRAM can be placed in two or more resistive modes. The resistance state of the film is high
when the CNTs are not in contact and it is represented by 0. In addition, resistance of the film
is low when CNTs are in contact with each other and it is represented with 1.
CNT tubes are rod-shaped and bind together due to the atomic scale force, thereby increasing
the conductive path between electrodes at low resistance. When a reset pule is transmitted,
the CNT changes back to the matrix form at a high-resistance state. With the NVM size reduced
to as low as 20-30 nm and the speed of operation measured in picoseconds, the read-write
operation using CNT NRAM functions very fast. The company is working on the critical
dimensions of the CNT and expects to further reduce the size of each cell to 5nm, making the
size of the storage device even smaller and enabling it to operate at a much higher speed.
Nantero NRAM technology has high endurance levels. It works 100 times faster compared to
the NAND flash, with the memory cell switching at speeds that are 20 picoseconds faster than
in a regular flash without losing data and keeping it secured for a long time. CNT-based NRAM
(Nano Random Access Memory) can be used as a solid-state device, as a replacement of a
flash storage device in consumer electronics and also, in enterprises for centralised data
storage in a cloud storage system. It can also serve as NVM that can store data at low power.
NRAM can have a significant impact in industries such as medical science, automation,
aerospace, and defence, where data is required to be stored even when the power is switched
off.
CNT consumes little or no power in the standby mode. This technology is being tested with
NASA at a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius for more than 10 years, and has proved to be
highly reliable and unaffected by radiation. This feature makes the CNT NRAM highly
innovative. The CNT NRAM technology is touted to change the future of the NVM industry. Its
applicability is expected to expand to cover a broad spectrum of industries. Nantero’s CNT
NRAM finds application in chemical sensors, avionics, embedded in-printable electronics, solar
cells, and in power transmission in energy. Nantero aims to license the technology to device
makers and manufacturers. The first NRAM chips are expected to appear as DRAM-compatible
modules that can be plugged directly into memory slots on motherboards370.
Nantero has gone through five rounds of funding from series A to series E. In the recent
substantially oversubscribed funding round (series E), Nantero has managed to close at USD
31.5 Million (EUR 23.68 million). For more than a decade now, Nantero has been funded by
major corporates from North America and has raised USD 78 Million (EUR 58.64 million) in
total. The company is expected to be valued at USD 1 Billion. The company has nearly 50
employees most of whom are focused on R&D. In 14 years of research, multi-millions have

368
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.195
369
http://nantero.com/technology/
370
PCWorld: Nantero's radical carbon-nanotube memory could replace SSDs and DRAM, Jun 2, 2015

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been invested in R&D, exact figure was not revealed but the company main focus was to drive
the investment from government organisations to support R&D. Some of Nantero’s strategic
investors include Charles River Ventures, Globespan Capital Partners, Harris and Harris Group,
and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Nantero is expected to experience a significant growth
opportunity in the future. With many deals still underway, Nantero’s strategy of targeting the
commercial electronics market is expected to pay rich dividends.
Licensing is the key revenue strategy at Nantero. The company is planning to license its
intellectual property of unique NRAM design using CNT technology to foundries, chip
manufacturers and electronic companies around the world. Nantero targets embedded and
standalone markets with an IP (Intellectual Property) licensing business model. It has a robust
patent portfolio of about 175+ granted US patents and more than 200 pending patent
applications. The company’s technology has been leveraged in 2 of the top 5 foundries in the
world. This will help Nantero to finance itself through recurring income, making it capital
efficient in the long term. Nantero is also leveraging the strategic partnership model to
commercialise its CNT NRAM technology. The company has engaged in long-term partnerships
with major tier participants including Lockheed Martin, Schlumberger, ON Semiconductor, and
Novati Technologies.

9.3.2.2 Printed electronics

Printed electronics are electronic circuits, components and devices manufactured with conventional
printing methods using, for example, electrically functional inks on different substrates to create
active or passive devices, such as thin film transistors (TFT), capacitors or resistors. Such printing
processes have the potential to produce very low-cost and simple electronics for applications that
do not require high performance such as flexible displays, smart labels, decorative and animated
posters, and active clothing 371.
At present, most conductive inks are based on silver nanoparticles, since silver both has high
electrical conductivity and is resistant to oxidation. The main challenge in replacing silver with
cheaper metals such as copper and aluminium is in avoiding their oxidation at ambient conditions.
This usually requires rather sophisticated reaction conditions with the use of hydrocarbon solvents,
low precursor concentrations and inert atmospheres372. Some activities in this technology application
area include:
• NanoMas Technologies (Endicott, N.Y.) currently produces nanosilver and nanogold conductive
inks. NanoMas is also developing inorganic nanoparticle and polymer semiconductor inks, as well
as electroluminescent inks for printed electronics applications.
• Other producers of nanoparticle-based silver inks for printed electronics include UT Dots Inc.
(Champaign, Ill.), PChem Associates (Bensalem, Pa.), Kemco International (St. Petersburg,
Fla.), and SunRay Scientific (Mt. Laurel, N.J.), among others.
• Xerox (Norwalk, Conn.) has developed a high-performance, semi-conductive ink that uses a new
class of polythiophene semiconductor nanoparticles. These nanoparticles not only possess
improved air stability, but also exhibit excellent self-assembly behavior. Air stability is needed
for the semiconductor to be processed and fabricated at or near ambient conditions. In a liquid-
processed organic-transistor semiconductor layer, proper molecular self-assembly leads to
formation of molecular structural orders that are conducive to efficient charge-carrier transport
and faster transistor performance373.
• In October 2015, Nano Dimension Ltd. (Ness-Ziona, Israel), a leading printing electronics
company in the area of 3D printing, announced its AgCite™ line of conductive silver nanoparticle
inks for inkjet deposition. AgCite inks are applicable to a wide variety of advanced printed
electronics applications, including RFID, OLED lighting, circuits, screen bezels, solar, sensors and
other applications requiring high conductivity374.
• Promethean Particles at Printed Electronics 2015 in Berlin showcased a new material as an

371
Aijazi A T (2014), Printing Functional Electronic Circuits and Components, Dissertation at Western Michigan
University
372
Kamyshny A, et al. (2011), Metal-based Inkjet Inks for Printed Electronics, The Open Applied Physics
Journal, 2011, 4: 20
373
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.37
374
Business Wire, October 21 2015

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alternative to the use of silver for conductive inks in printed electronics. The dispersed copper
concentrate (for ink manufacture) can be used as a raw material for conductive inks that can be
printed using a variety of techniques. The “pre-ink”, which can be thought of as a conductive
“pigment” for ink formulators, remains stable as non-oxidised copper metal for a period of
several months and contains only copper and an antioxidant. By using copper particles, the ink
requires a lower sintering temperature than silver making it possible to deposit conducting tracks
onto less substrates such as flexible polymer-based materials that do not have high thermal
stable. In addition, conductivity has been achieved when sintering the deposited material in air,
without the need for inert atmospheres375.
• DuPont Innovalight makes silicon inks and licenses proprietary technology for solar cells to
manufacturers. The silicon nanoparticles are suspended in a chemical mix. When applied to
silicon solar cells during the manufacturing process, the ink boosts the cells' absorption of
sunlight at lower wavelengths, generating more electricity376. The proprietary material is
comprised of silicon nano-particles formulated into a screen printable ink. The material is
compatible with low-cost, industry standard screen printers normally used in the printing of
metal contacts377.

Company snapshot: BASF

BASF SE378 is a chemical company operating in six segments: Chemicals, Plastics,
Performance Products, Functional Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. It was
founded in 1865 in Mannheim, Germany. Nowadays it has more around 113,000 employees
and has headed the Patent Asset Index™ rankings for six times in succession with a
portfolio of 1,200 patents worldwide. With six Verbund sites (the Verbund principle involves
intelligent inter-linking of production plants, energy flows and infrastructure) and 353
additional production sites worldwide, BASF has companies in more than eighty countries
and supplies products to a large number of business partners in nearly every part of the
world. Their Verbund site in Ludwigshafen is the world’s largest integrated chemical
complex. BASF offers products for the chemical, automotive, construction, agriculture, oil,
plastics, electrical / electronics, furniture and paper industries, and provides a range of
system solutions and services.
In 2014, BASF posted sales of EUR 74 billion and income from operations before special
items of approximately EUR 7.6 billion. The company has around 10,700 research and
development employees and spent EUR 1,884 million on this in 2014.

MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS

Available estimates and forecasts concentrate on silver conductive nano-ink. The market for all types
of conductive silver ink was worth USD 1.4 billion in 2013 and USD 1.5 billion in 2014, and is
expected to grow to USD 2 billion by 2019.

375
http://www.prometheanparticles.co.uk/copper-ink-for-printed-electronics/
376
DuPont (2012): “DuPont Microcircuit Materials Introduces Highest Efficiency Solamet® Photovoltaic
Metallisation Pastes to Date.”
377
http://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/solar-photovoltaic-materials/silicon-inks.html/
378
www.basf.com

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Source: BCC Research

Figure 9-7: Global market for silver nanoparticles in electronic printing to 2019
Conductive inks made with silver nanoparticles are a new technology, and they accounted for a
relatively small share (approximately 15%) of the market for conductive silver inks in 2013 to 2014.
However, by 2019, the nanotechnology share of the conductive silver ink market is expected to
increase to at least 50% of the total. If materials account for about 50% of the final value of the
inks and silver nanoparticles represent about half of the total material cost on average379, the market
for silver nanoparticles for these inks can be estimated at one quarter of the total for conductive
silver inks (i.e. USD 250 million for silver nanoparticles of USD 1 billion for nanotechnology silver
inks in 2019).380

Case study: Nano Dimension Ltd.

Israel-based Nano Dimension Ltd381 was founded in 2012 and focuses on the development of
nanotechnology based 3D printing technology for electronics. The company is listed on the Tel
Aviv Stock Exchange and OTCQX as an ADR (American depositary receipt). Since its listing in
August 2014, the company has raised USD 17 Million. Prior to that, the company had raised a
total of USD 13.1 Million (EUR 9.84 million).
Nano Dimension’s AgCite™ nanoparticle inks are suitable for inkjet deposition. The company
is able to reliably extract nanometre particles of pure silver and control their shape, size and
dispersion. The ability to accurately manipulate the physical dimensions of the nanoparticles
enables optimisation of properties such as flexibility, conductivity and adhesion. The inks can
sinter at low temperatures making them suitable for use on a wide range of substrates (e.g.
glass, polymer, paper and films of indium tin oxide. The high conductivity of the inks enables
small amounts to be used for any application making their use economical. The conductive
inks, along with inkjet printing and 3D printing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the key
focus areas of Nano Dimension.
The company is in the advanced product development phase for a 3D printer to print PCBs.
The product, DragonFly 2020, enables the development of multi-layer PCBs using a versatile
inkjet deposition technology. The first unit of the DragonFly 2020 will be shipped to an

379
The percentage can vary considerably, according to the unit price of silver
380
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.133
381
http://www.nano-di.com/about-nano-dimensions

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undisclosed Indian customer in the second half of 2016.

The AgCite line of inks forms an integral part of this printer. Apart from using the inks in the
DragonFly 2020, the company also sells the inks separately. The distinct feature of this product
is that it enables the manufacturing of complex PCBs in small batches. This is ideal for rapid
prototyping as well as supplying for niche areas where the demand is limited. Key opportunities
for this product thus lie in the military and defence sector, where the requirement is of low
volume but complex and sophisticated electronics. Other key areas include maintenance of
electronic devices where damaged PCBs can be replaced swiftly at low costs. Nano Dimension
is working on advancing the printing technology to enable development of PCBs that could be
printed on both sides. The company also believes that the printers can be deployed for high
volume production in the long term. However, the adoption could be limited, considering the
high cost of silver inks.
In a recent development, Nano Dimension has filed a patent application with the USPTO for a
nanoparticle based copper ink that can be used for printing electronic conductors. Copper
provides a low cost alternative to silver in conductive inks. However, copper nanoparticles are
susceptive to oxidation which is detrimental to the conductive property. The patent application
presents a novel approach of addressing this challenge. The development of this copper ink
has the potential to enable low cost, large scale manufacturing of PCBs using Nano Dimension’s
3D printing technology.
Nano Dimension has two fully-equipped laboratories dedicated to R&D on inks, one for
conductive silver inks, one for dielectric nano-particle inks. Development is primarily targeted
towards the use of inks for the DragonFly 2020 3D printer.
As of 31 December, 2014, the company had 16 employees conducting research and
development, and four employees in senior management roles. The R&D cost in 2014 was
approximately NIS 3,339,000 (equivalent to USD 862K, EUR 648 K) while in 2013 it was
approximately NIS 806,000 (equivalent to USD 208K, EUR 156K).

EMERGING APPLICATIONS
GRAPHENE PRINTED ELECTRONICS

Conductive inks rely for their conductivity on the inclusion of silver, carbon, graphite, or other
precious metal-coated base materials. Common conductive inks can be classified into three
categories: noble metals, conductive polymers, and carbon nanomaterials. A selection of conductive
inks is offered on the market, to meet the demands of many applications: electronics, sensors,
antennae, touch screens, printed heaters and more. Due to its high charge carrier mobility,
superlative thermal and chemical stability and intrinsic flexibility, graphene has been demonstrated
for a number of applications in printed electronics including chemical and thermal sensors and
supercapacitors. While graphene inks open up potential applications such as printed electronics and
packaging, they often need to be specially formulated or adjusted for specific uses, requiring unique
substrates or processing/printing methods (rotogravure, flexo, or screen printing processes etc.)382.
Some ongoing activities in the area include:
• In 2012, Vorbeck Materials (Jessup, MD, USA) partnering with MeadWestvaco Corp. a global
packaging company has brought the first commercially available graphene product to market.
The product is an anti-theft retail package product called Siren™, which is part of MWV’s
Natralock™ product packaging line. The packaging design prevents theft or tampering by setting
off an alarm on an individual package if it is torn open or upon attempted theft. Vorbek’s Vor-
ink™ provides the package with a sensor that can detect when the package has been moved,
taken out of the building or cut open383.
• In 2015, researchers at the University of Cambridge in collaboration with Cambridge-based
technology company Novalia, developed a low-cost, high-speed method for printing graphene
inks using a conventional roll-to-roll printing process. The method would allow graphene and
other electrically conducting materials to be added to conventional water-based inks and printed

382
http://www.graphene-info.com/graphene-inks
383
Nanlyze: Vorbeck’s Commercially Available Graphene Products, April 1, 2014

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using typical commercial equipment at the high speed associated with printing presses for
newspapers. Silver-based inks in current use cost GBP 1000 or more per kilogramme. This new
graphene ink formulation would be 25 times cheaper. In addition, graphene and other carbon
materials are recyclable, unlike silver. Once dry, the ‘electric ink’ is also waterproof and adheres
to its substrate extremely well. In the short to medium term, the researchers hope to use their
method to make printed, disposable biosensors, energy harvesters and RFID tags384.

MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS 385

Vorbeck Materials is currently the sole commercial producer of graphene-based inks. While it does
not publish sales data, it is estimated that its sales of graphene inks were significantly less than USD
1 million in 2013 and 2014. By analogy with other nanotechnology-based inks, it has been estimated
that sales of graphene inks could exceed USD 12 million by 2019. If the component of the inks is
the same as for silver nanoparticles as outlined previously, their overall market value would be USD
3.5 million by 2019.

9.3.2.3 Chemical-mechanical polishing compounds (CMP compounds)

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technology was first used by Monsanto in 1965 as a process
step in semiconductor device fabrication. It is a common technique for wafer polishing (for dynamic
memory and microprocessor applications) and mechanical glass polishing, producing mirror like
surfaces with no measurable surface structure flaws386.
CMP and other polishing slurries typically consist of 10-wt% to 25-wt% silica or alumina
nanoparticles in an aqueous solution, although other types of oxide particles, such as ceria and
zirconia, are being evaluated or used for certain polishing applications. The particle size of the
abrasives is usually in the range of 10 nm to 150 nm, and the chemistry of the particle surface is
carefully controlled to provide a stable dispersion. Approximately 90% of the nanoparticles used in
CMP slurries consist of silica. Most of the remaining 10% of the nanoparticles are alumina; other
types of nanoparticles such as ceria and zirconia reportedly account for less than 1% of the market.
The particle size of the abrasives is usually in the range of 10 nm to 150 nm387.

Company snapshot: Baikowski Group

Based in France, Baikowski388 started its operations in 1904 to grow sapphire crystals using
the Verneuil process. This activity was discontinued in 1982 to focus on high purity alumina
markets. Since then, it has expanded quickly through successful diversifications of its
applications and customer portfolio. Baikowski is now a major player on high quality
applications such as technical ceramics, precision polishing, functional additives & coatings,
and crystals.
The company focuses on tailoring high purity alumina powders & formulations, as well as other
fine oxides & composites such as spinel, ZTA, YAG & ceria for technical ceramics, precision
polishing, crystals, and additives/coatings applications. Their market areas are lighting (high
intensity discharge lamps, fluorescent tubes, LED), watches & phones (sapphire tops, ceramic
parts), electronics (semiconductors), automotive (car polish, Li batteries), defence (armoured
windows, precision optics) and medical (prostheses, imaging, intraocular lenses, and
pacemakers).
Baikowski has manufacturing sites in Annecy, France; and Malakoff, Texas, as well as polishing
slurries formulation and application lab sites in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Chiba, Japan.
Baikowski SAS operates as a subsidiary of PSB Industries SA.

384
http://www.aipia.info/news-Low-Cost-High-Speed-Graphene-Inks-for-Printed-Electronics-486.php
385
BCC (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.139
386
Sivanandini M (2013), Chemical Mechanical Polishing by colloidal silicon slurry, International Journal of
Engineering Research and Applications, Vol. 3, Issue 3, May-Jun 2013: 1337
387
BCC Research, (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.26
388
http://www.baikowski.com/

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MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS

Global consumption of silica and alumina nanoparticles used in CMP compounds was estimated to
be about 36,400 metric tons, with a value of USD 556 million, in 2013. Of this, silica accounted for
about 87%. CMP nanoparticle consumption was estimated to be USD 596.4 million in 2014 and is
forecast to grow to USD 938.9 million by 2019, for a CAGR of 9.5% from 2014 through 2019. 389

Source: BBC Research, 2014

Figure 9-8: Global market for chemical-mechanical polishing compounds to 2019

9.3.2.4 Electrostatic discharge protection and prevention (ESD)
Carbon-based static dissipative plastics are widely used in electronic industries for electrostatic
discharge protection and prevention. Plastics containing carbon nanotubes offer many superior
properties to the electronics industry, such as greater cleanliness and surface finish 390. Equipment
made with nanotube-filled plastics include ESD shipping trays, wafer cassette holders, removable
media cartridges, clean room equipment, front opening unified pod (FOUP) and standard mechanical
interface (SMIF) pods391.
Arkema (Colombes, France) sells its Graphistrength® thermoplastic masterbatches for electrostatic
discharge protection. Graphistrength Masterbatches are particularly suited to applications where
stringent requirements, in terms of cleanliness, permanent electrostatic dissipation, and perfect
surface finish, must be met, such as for semi-conductors and ESD-sensitive components handling,
and housings of electronic devices392.

Company snapshot: Trek Inc.

Trek Inc.393 provides innovative electrostatic measurement and high-voltage power
solutions. It was established in 1968 in Lockport, New York, US, based upon the needs of
the electrophotographic industry for highly accurate, stable, cost-effective electrostatic
measurement instrumentation and devices. Trek's products are used by original equipment
manufacturers to enhance the operational precision of their equipment and by researchers
on electrostatics, materials, nanotechnology, piezoelectrics and plasmas.

389
BCC Research, (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.116
390
Zhang Y, et al. (2008), Carbon nanotube plastic-packaging material for class 0 device ESD protection -Real
life electrical performance comparison for carbon-filled plastics, Electrical Overstress/Electrostatic
Discharge Symposium, 2008
391
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.85
392
Arkema: Graphistrength® thermoplastic masterbatches, product information
393
http://www.trekinc.com/

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Trek designs and manufactures high-voltage amplifiers, piezo drivers, power supplies &
generators and high performance electrostatic measurement instruments (including
electrostatic sensors and detectors, electrostatic discharge (ESD) instruments, electrostatic
voltmeters, charged plate monitors, and surface resistance/resistivity meter).
Trek Japan KK was founded in 1987 in Tokyo, Japan, for the purpose of providing Japanese
and other Pacific Rim local application engineering support, sales, and service. The Trek
Holding Company Ltd., Japan, announced the acquisition in 2006 of U.S. based Trek Inc. and
Trek Japan KK. This acquisition was part of the overall Succession Plan of the Trek Group
and allows for both Trek Inc. and Trek Japan KK to maintain its current operations and
management structures.

MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS 394

In 2013, global consumption of polycarbonate/carbon nanotube compounds, most of which are used
to make ESD electronics products and clean room equipment, was USD 11.9 million. Global
consumption of all types of filled electrostatic control products is projected to grow in volume at a
CAGR of 7.3% through 2019, a rate of increase expected to apply to polycarbonate/carbon nanotube
composites electrostatic control products as well. However, after factoring in a projected decline in
the average cost of polycarbonate/carbon nanotube composites through 2019 as a result of
improvements in production technologies and increased scale of production, the value of the market
is projected to increase at a CAGR of only 2.6%, reaching USD 14 million by 2019, as shown below.

Source: BCC Research

Figure 9-9: Global market for polycarbonate/carbon nanotube compounds to 2019

9.3.2.5 Low-k dielectric coatings
The characteristic trend of the semiconductor industry over the last several decades has been the
continual miniaturisation of microelectronic devices. Integrated circuit density per unit area has
doubled every one-and-a-half to two years, a relationship commonly known as Moore’s Law. Density
increases have been accompanied by comparable increases in device performance. In recent years,
however, it has become necessary to introduce new technology elements in order to maintain
historical trends. The appearance of porous dielectrics in microelectronic devices represents one of
the significant materials changes required to keep performance improvements on pace with device
density increases395.

394
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, pp.177-178
395
McGahay V (2010), Porous Dielectrics in Microelectronic Wiring Applications, Materials 2010, 3: 536

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Nanoporous polymer thin films such as Dow Chemical’s SiLK are used in leading-edge computer
chips because of their low dielectric constant, but they are competing with a variety of other
materials, including inorganics and aerogels. While Dow is reportedly the leader in the low-k
dielectric market, its market dominance is by no means assured396. IBM Corp. decided to switch
from SiLK to the rival small molecule chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. Similarly, the
world's second largest foundry, Taiwan-based United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC), dropped SiLK in
favor of the small-molecule CVD Coral process from Novellus Systems Inc. (San Jose, Calif.) 397.
Market hurdles that SiLK must overcome are reported to include relatively high materials costs and
the need to incorporate additional steps in the semiconductor production process. In the longer term,
there is also the possibility of using aerogels as a semiconductor dielectric material398.
MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS

In 2013, global consumption of low-k nanofilm materials was about 16 metric tons with a value of
USD 575 million. Polymeric materials, notably Dow’s SiLK resins, dominate the market but their
market share is expected to decline amid growing materials for other low-k materials, especially
inorganics. The market for low-k dielectric materials is projected to grow rapidly as the
semiconductor industry increasingly moves into the nanometre range. Low-k dielectric applications
are also expected to expand outside leading-edge semiconductors into other applications such as
memory and logic devices. It is difficult to quantify directly the impact of these trends on future
consumption of low-k dielectrics. However, based on information provided by industry sources, a
plausible estimate of the total market for low-k dielectric films by 2019 is likely to be at least 275
tons, or about USD 6.9 billion399.

Source: BCC Research

Figure 9-10: Global market for of low-k nanofilm materials to 2019

Company snapshot: Dow Chemical

Founded in Midland, Michigan (US) in 1897, The Dow Chemical Company400 manufactures and
supplies products that are used primarily as raw materials in the manufacture of customer
products and services worldwide. Dow operates in chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences
and plastics businesses areas and delivers a broad range of technology-based products and
solutions to customers in approximately 180 countries and in high-growth sectors such as

396
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.69
397
IEEE Spectrum: SiLK Slips - IBM follows industry trend, chucks spin-on chip insulator, 1 December 2003
398
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.69
399
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.
400
http://www.dow.com/

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packaging, electronics, water, coatings and agriculture.

In 2014, Dow had annual sales of more than USD 58 billion and employed approximately
53,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 6,000 product families are manufactured
at 201 sites in 35 countries across the globe.

9.3.2.6 Electro-conductive coatings

Electro-conductive coatings are used to protect a variety of products and devices from static charge
build-up that can result in unwanted static discharge (sparking), the accumulation of dirt and other
problems. Metal and conductive oxide nanoparticles are in commercial use or under development
for a number of electro-conductive coating applications including CRT screens, photographic films,
and electronic device packaging and parts401.
Umicore Zinc Chemicals (Brussels, Belgium) sells Zano® Al-10, a microfine aluminium-doped zinc
oxide with a typical aluminium content of 1wt%. Since Zano® Al-10 is electrically conductive, it can
be used to provide permanent anti-static properties or can be used in other applications where
electrical conductivity is needed, such as a (partial) replacement for indium tin oxide and other
conductive oxides402.

Company snapshot: Umicore Zinc Chemicals

Umicore Zinc Chemicals403 is the leading recycler of galvanising residues in the world. The
company is headquartered in Angleur, Belgium, and has 9 worldwide production sites which
deliver over 170,000 tons of end products and have more than 600 employees. Over 100,000
tons of recyclable materials are refined and transformed through proprietary processes into
high quality products. The company has three product lines (zinc battery materials, fine zinc
powders, zinc oxides), and is also the global leader in the production of zinc compounds.
Its specialty chemicals are used in a wide variety of applications for consumer goods and
industrial applications. For example, the product Zano® (Umicore's specialty zinc oxide which
combines broad-band UVA/UVB absorption properties with high levels of transparency) is used
in a wide range of fields such as personal care and sun-care applications, plastics applications
and electronic applications. Within the electronics applications of Zano®, the company
produces Zano®Al, a specialty aluminium-doped nano sized zinc oxide with electro conductive
properties which provides infra-red light blocking properties, combined with broad-band
UVA/UVB absorption.

MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS

The global market estimate for nanoscale electro-conductive coatings was USD 32 million in 2013,
and growing at a CAGR of 8.4% (between 2014 and 2019), to reach USD 51 million by 2019404.

401
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.66
402
Umicore Zinc Chemicals, product info on Zano® Al-10
403
http://www.umicore.com/
404
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.159

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Source: BCC Research

Figure 9-11: Global market for nanoscale electro-conductive coatings to 2019

9.3.2.7 Electronic shielding (POSS nano-composites)

One of the most marketable products of Hybrid Plastics (Hattiesburg, Miss.) has been its polyhedral
oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS)-based NeuShield plastic chip cap that fits over a computer chip
to reduce the effects of neutron-induced memory upsets. These chip caps also can reduce possible
memory corruption in X-ray equipment used for treating tumours. The products are much more
attractive in terms of cost than off-the-shelf rad-hard chips also used for mitigating radiation effects.
The price difference is USD 1-3 per caps for NeuShield (depending on volume) versus USD 20,000
to USD 100,000 each for traditional products. Hybrid Plastics has introduced several other POSS-
based electronics products to the market. These products include Short-Stop conformal coating with
tin whisker suppressant and MA0735 cage mixture for ultra-low-k materials405.

Company snapshot: Hybrid Plastics

Hybrid Plastics Inc.406 was founded in 1998 as a spin-out of the Air Force Research Laboratory
(ARFL) and it is based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (US). The company manufactures polyhedral
oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanostructured chemicals, flow aids, dispersion aids, and
thermoset resins. Its products include various R&D chemicals and bulk chemicals; thermosets,
such as formulated thermosetting resins for coatings, adhesives, and composites;
thermoplastics, including masterbatch formulations of common thermoplastics; various POSS
chemicals and formulated materials for use in electronics applications; and POMS and
nanopowders, which include POSS chemicals with a metal in one corner for catalysis, and
predispersed pigments/fillers. The company also provides dispersion, compounding, and
formulation services. It sells its products in the United States and internationally (with 40% of
its sales overseas). Hybrid Plastics had sales of USD 4.3 million in 2013. Its plant in Mississippi,
which was completed in 2007, has the capacity to produce up to 500,000 pounds per year of
POSS nanocomposite.

405
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.87
406
http://hybridplastics.com/

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MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS

Source: BCC Research

Figure 9-12: Global market for POSS nanocomposites to 2019

If Hybrid Plastics achieves full production capacity at its plant in Mississippi, US, and is the sole
supplier, the market value of olyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) for electronic shielding
would be USD 7.5 million in 2019 (given an estimated price of USD 15/pound)407.

EMERGING MARKETS
GRAPHENE HEAT SPREADERS

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers and designs offer major advantages over traditional silicon device
structures such as improved electrical isolation, reduced parasitic capacitances, improved radiation
hardness and higher packing density. Traditional devices can also suffer from unwanted thermal
effects that can lead to performance degradation and premature thermal breakdowns. The smaller
components become and the higher the circuit speeds, the greater the problems associated with
heat generation, power densities and temperature rise. Efficient thermal management becomes an
integral part of the device design for long-term reliability and optimum performance. One possible
solution for removing heat from the localised hot spots is to incorporate chips with materials that
have very high thermal conductivity, i.e. high-heat flux (HHF) thermal management such as
graphene which exhibits extremely high intrinsic thermal conductivity408. Developments in this area
include:
• A North Carolina State University researcher in 2012 developed a technique that uses a heat
spreader made of a copper-graphene composite, which is attached to the electronic device using
an indium-graphene interface film, both of which have higher thermal conductivity, allowing the
device to cool efficiently. The copper-graphene film’s thermal conductivity allows it to cool
approximately 25% faster than pure copper, which is what most devices currently use 409.
• A research team led by scientists at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden found in 2013
that multiple layers of graphene— a two-dimensional material comprised of carbon atoms
arranged in a hexagonal pattern—demonstrate strong heat conducting properties that could be
used to remove heat from inside electronic devices. In their study, the researchers focused on
altering the temperature in the most heat-intensive areas of an electronic device—such as inside

407
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.179
408
Subrina S, et al. (2009), Graphene Heat Spreaders for Thermal Management of Nanoelectronic Circuits,
University of California – Riverside (UCR), p.1
409
Electronics Cooling: Researcher Finds Cheaper Way To Cool Electronic Devices, April 20 2012

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a processor—reducing it by as much as 25%410.

• CVD diamond film coatings, produced since the early 1990s, can be used as heat-spreading
materials similar to what is proposed with graphene. It is estimated that worldwide sales of CVD
diamond for thermal management applications had reached about USD 15 million five years
after their introduction to the market. By analogy, sales of graphene thermal management
technologies could reach similar levels in 2019, if commercialisation takes place in the coming
year411.

9.3.2.8 Components

EXISTING APPLICATIONS
A MULTILAYER CERAMIC CAPACITORS
Multilayer ceramic capacitors, or MLCCs, are important building blocks in modern electronics and
make up approximately 30% of the total components in a typical hybrid circuit module. Multilayer
capacitors consist of a monolithic ceramic block with comb-like sintered electrodes. These electrodes
come to the surface at the face ends of the ceramic block where an electrical contact is made by
burnt-in metallic layers412.
Nanoscale barium titanate or strontium titanate powders are typically used to form the dielectric
ceramic layers and noble metals (e.g. platinum or silver-palladium) the internal electrode layers of
MLCCs. Given the rising costs of noble metal powders, substitutes are being sought, using base
metal powders such as nickel to form the internal electrodes. To produce the capacitor from the
powders, the dielectric powder is mixed with a binder and solvent to obtain slurry that is cast into a
rectangular ceramic green sheet. The conductive metal paste is then screen printed onto the sheet.
A stack of green sheets interspersed with conductive paste layers is formed and then fired to obtain
the multilayer ceramic capacitor413.

MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS 414

It has been estimated that global MLCC output was 1.7 trillion units in 2013, 5% of the units (i.e.,
85 billion units) being fabricated using nanoscale powders. Given that materials costs are estimated
to represent 28% of the selling price of an MLCC and, in 2013, the average MLCC selling price was
USD 0.01, the average materials cost is USD 0.0028 per MLCC. The total materials cost of the
estimated 85 billion MLCCs fabricated using nanoparticulate materials in 2013 was thus USD 238
million. It is estimated that 20% of that market is titanate-based (USD 143 million) and 60% is
nickel-based (USD 143 million) as shown in the figure below.

410
Electronics Cooling: Graphene Heat Spreader Reduces Hotspot Temperatures, July 8 2013
411
Ibid
412
Future Electronics: What is a ceramic capacitor
413
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.37
414
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.132

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Source: BCC Research

Figure 9-13: Global sales for nanoparticles used in ceramic capacitors to 2019
Global consumption of MLCCs has increased at a CAGR of 12.9% since 2004. The projections in the
figure above assume that MLCC consumption continues to grow at a CAGR of 12.9%, reaching nearly
3.6 trillion units by 2019. The projections further assume that 10% (360 billion) of the MLCCs
produced in 2019 incorporate titanate and nickel nanoparticles.

B ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Magnetic nanocomposites are bulk materials which consist of magnetic nanocrystals that are
embedded in an amorphous, usually magnetically soft phase (matrix). Their magnetic properties
give the nanocomposites several existing and potential applications415.
Various magnetic nanocomposites are in commercial use, under study or in development.
Commercial products include several “nanomagnetic alloys” such as Hitachi’s Finemet and Magnetec
GmbH’s Nanoperm. Despite being called alloys, these nanomagnetic materials fit the definition of
nanocomposites. They are composed of nanoscale single-domain nanocrystalline iron particles in an
amorphous matrix. At present, nanomagnetic alloys are manufactured by crystallisation of rapidly
solidified amorphous ribbons. Other potential methods of fabrication include electrodeposition.
Electrodeposited magnetic alloys reportedly are being developed in Canada. The structure of
materials such as Finemet and Nanoperm gives them unique magnetic properties, including the
lowest energy losses of any known materials along with very high permeabilities. These materials
can also exhibit nearly zero or zero magnetostriction. These properties create a wide range of
potential applications for nanomagnetic alloys including low-loss transformers as well electronic
devices, where they provide superior electromagnetic noise suppression. Another potential
application includes spintronics416.

Company snapshot: Magnetec GmbH

Founded in 1984 in Langenselbold, Germany, Magnetec GmbH417 is a company developing and
producing high grade tape wound ring cores and components made of soft magnetic alloys
NANOPERM® and MAGNEPERM®. The main application areas are mains-independent
(mechanical) earth leakage circuit breakers (ELCB), current transformers for modern

415
Erokhin S, et al. (2011), Magnetic nanocomposites: new methodology for micromagnetic modeling and
SANS experiments, Cornell University,Working paper, p.1
416
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.85
417
http://www.magnetec.de/

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electronic metering and the full range of power electronics/EMI. Magnetec currently has around
400 employees and worldwide facilities (in Hungary since 1989 and in China since 2009). The
turnover of the company in 2013 was c. EUR 26 million. MAGNETEC supplies to companies
such as ABB, Siemens, GE and Schneider Group.

MARKET DATA AND FORECASTS

Total consumption of nanomagnetic composites in low-loss transformers and other electrical and
electronic devices was 4,820 tons with a value of USD 153.9 million in 2013. It has been forecast418
that the overall market for nanomagnetic materials will at a CAGR of 12.5% between 2014 and
2019. Applying this growth rate to 2013 consumption of nanomagnetic composites and assuming it
continues through 2019 yields the projections shown in the following figure 419.

Source: BCC Research

Figure 9-14: Global market for nano-magnetic composites in electronic and electrical
devices to 2019

EMERGING MARKETS
This section looks at the emerging applications of:
A. Photonic add/drop filters;
B. Optical switches;
C. Optical amplifiers (op amps);
D. Digital image sensors; and
E. Transparent electrodes.

A PHOTONIC ADD / DROP FILTERS

An important device for optical communications and in many other applications is a channel-drop
filter. Given a collection of signals propagating down a waveguide (called the bus waveguide), a
channel-drop filter picks out one small wavelength range (channel) and reroutes (drops) it into

418
BCC Research, Nanomagnetics: Materials, Devices and Markets
419
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.178

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another waveguide (called the drop waveguide)420.

A number of technologies are used in channel add/drop filters, including Mach–Zehnder
interferometers, grating-assisted mismatched couplers and multiport circulators. However, existing
add/drop filters can only extract and redirect a few distinct, well-separated wavelengths.
Accordingly, known drop filters are not fully satisfactory for use as an extraction device in a
wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system that requires the capability of extracting carrier
signals carried by light having a large number of different wavelengths. The use of nanocomposites
should make it possible to construct a channel add/drop filter that reroutes the desired channel into
the drop waveguide with 100% transfer efficiency (i.e. no losses, reflection or cross-talk), while
leaving all other channels in the bus waveguide to propagate unperturbed. While there is no
nanocomposite add/drop filters are currently on the market, they are seen as one of the most
promising applications of these materials in photonics applications421.
The market for photonic crystal add/drop filters is projected to grow from zero in 2013 and 2014 to
USD 43.3 million in 2019 (with sales of all types of optical add/drop filters approaching USD 1.4
billion by 2019). If companies developing photonic crystal add/drop filters can bring a commercial
project to market in the next few years, it is forecast that they could capture 10% of the total market
by 2019, for total sales of USD 140 million. For the optical industry as a whole, material costs
represent nearly one-third of the total value of deliveries, implying that consumption of PBG
nanocomposites used to manufacture add/drop filters might be approximately USD 43 million in
2019422.
B OPTICAL SWITCHES

Optical switches are all-optical fibre-optic switching devices that maintain the signal as light from
input to output. In this they differ from traditional switches that connect optical fibre lines which are
electro-optic. Electro-optic switches convert photons from the input side to electrons internally in
order to do the switching and then convert back to photons on the output side. Although some
vendors call electro-optical switches "optical switches," true optical switches support all transmission
speeds. Unlike electronic switches, which are tied to specific data rates and protocols, optical
switches direct the incoming bit stream to the output port no matter what the line speed or protocol
(IP, ATM, SONET). Optical switches may also separate signals at different wavelengths and direct
them to different ports423. Quantum dots can further help to improve the performance of all-optical
switches by allowing for higher switching speeds, smaller size and lower power consumption.
In 2003, Evident Technologies, Inc. issued a United States Patent (Number 6,571,028) for an all-
optical switch or optical transistor. The optical transistor is based upon a saturable absorber or switch
using the company’s EviDots semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dot technologies. The optical
switch has the potential to switch at speeds up to thousands of times faster than current generation
optical switching424. The quantum dots, which are manufactured of lead sulphide or lead selenide
via a thermal precipitation or colloidal growth process, are contained in a matrix or glass, silicon or
other material. The intensity of light required to saturate the absorber depends on the size and
composition of the quantum dots, and the concentration of dots determines how thick a slab of
matrix material is required to produce a given change in intensity of the signal 425.
No quantum dot optical switches are currently on the market, and the timing of their eventual
commercial introduction is unknown. However, given their advantages versus competing
technologies, it is forecast that quantum dot switches could reach the market before 2019 and the
overall optical switch market could exceed USD 1.2 billion by 2019. It is difficult to quantify quantum
dot switches’ potential share of the 2019 optical switch market with any certainty, especially in view
of uncertainty about the timing of their introduction. However, if they capture 2% to 5% of the
optical switch market, the market value would be USD 24 million to USD 60 million (or a mean of
USD 42 million) by 2019. If material costs represent nearly one-third of the total cost of these
devices, the market for PBG nanocomposites in optical switches could reach USD 14 million by

420
http://ab-initio.mit.edu/photons/ch-drop.html
421
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.91
422
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.184
423
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/48554/optical-switch
424
ScienceBlog: Evident Technologies Granted US Patent for Optical Switch based on Quantum Dots, Jun 9,
2003
425
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.91

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2019426.
C OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS ( OP AMPS )

In order to transmit signals in optical communication systems over long distances (>100 km) it is
necessary to compensate for attenuation losses within the fibre. Initially this was accomplished with
an optoelectronic module consisting of an optical receiver, a regeneration and equalisation system,
and an optical transmitter to send the data. Although functional, this arrangement is limited by the
optical to electrical and electrical to optical conversions. Optical amplifiers have been developed to
overcome these drawbacks. Currently the two types of optical amplifiers in most common use are
semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) and rare earth doped fibre amplifiers (erbium – EDFA 1500
nm, praseodymium – PDFA 1300 nm)427.
Optical amplifiers having nano-sized semiconductor particles, called quantum dots, show attractive
features such as an ultra-wide operating wavelength range, suppressed waveform distortion in high
power output, and capability of noise reduction (signal regeneration) by limiting amplification. With
these features, the quantum-dot devices have been developed targeting applications in optical
communication systems such as inline, booster, and preamplifiers, and are presently in the stage of
commercialisation. The application is not limited to optical amplifiers, but also includes the light
sources for sensors, gyroscopes, optical coherence tomography, etc., and the gain elements
integrated into wavelength-tunable lasers and mode-locked lasers428. While the development of
quantum dot amplifiers has proceeded rapidly, commercialisation appears to be at least several
years away. Reportedly there is still much room for improving the quality of the crystal to eliminate
polarisation sensitivity and gain inequality. A further commercial obstacle to commercialisation of
quantum dot amplifiers is telecommunications carriers’ large investment in existing amplifier
technologies, especially erbium amplifiers429.
Nanoparticle-based optical amplifiers were not yet available commercially in 2013 and 2014. Global
sales of all types of optical amplifiers are projected to reach USD 2.8 billion by 2019. If quantum dot
PBG nanocomposite devices can capture 10% of this market, the forecast sales would be USD 280
million in 2019. At one-third of the total cost of optical amplifiers for materials, the related
consumption of quantum dot PBG nanocomposites is projected to reach USD 93.3 million by 2019430.
D DIGITAL IMAGE SENSORS

Digital image sensors can be used to record electronic images. The most commonly recognised
application of the digital image sensor is the digital camera. In digital cameras, the image sensor is
used in conjunction with a colour separation device and signal processing circuitry to record images.
The two main technologies used to fabricate the sensors are CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) and
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors)431.
InVisage Technologies (Menlo Park, Calif.) is commercialising QuantumFilm (QF) technology to
replace the conventional complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. QF
technology works by suspending quantum dots within a special polymer film. The film is then “spun”
or painted on top of a traditional CMOS wafer. The quantum dot film captures all the light that hits
the top of the chip and sends it directly to the silicon chip. In a conventional CMOS image sensor,
light typically has to pass through layers with metal connections before it hits a photo detector,
which blocks out about half the photons. By putting the film on top of the chip, and by having more
efficient materials, InVisage proposes to create a sensor that is four times more sensitive to light
with twice the dynamic range of the typical CMOS sensor. According to InVisage, its new technology
will enable higher resolution for cameras and much better low-light performance, particularly in
contrast to the sensors used in today’s camera phones.
InVisage Technologies’ first QuantumFilm image sensors, targeting high-end mobile handsets and
smartphones, are scheduled to be deliverd sometime after 2014. It is estimated that 100 million
QuantumFilm sensor-equipped handsets will be sold in 2019. QuantumFilm sensors are expected to

426
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.184
427
Kostuk R (2006), Optical Amplifiers, mimeo
428
Akiyama T, et la. (2006), Quantum-Dot Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers, IEEE LEOS - LASERS & ELECTRO-
OPTICS SOCIETY Newsletter, February 2006 Volume 20, Number 1, p.11
429
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.92
430
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.185
431
https://illumin.usc.edu/101/the-digital-image-sensor/

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cost the same as the CMOS sensors they replace (c. USD 5 each) making a total market value of
USD 500 million in 2019. The exact cost of the quantum dot film in a QuantumFilm sensor is not
known, but according to InVisage, the incremental cost is minimal. For analytical purposes, if the
quantum dot film adds 5% to the cost of the sensor, about USD 25 million worth of quantum dots
will be required to fabricate the USD 500 million worth of QuantumFilm sensors it is estimated that
the market will require in 2019432.
E TRANSPARENT ELECTRODES

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), or transparent electrodes, are electrically conductive

materials with a comparatively low absorption of light. They are usually prepared using thin-film
technologies and are used in opto-electrical devices such as solar cells, displays, opto-electrical
interfaces and circuitries. Glass fibres are nearly lossless conductors of light, but electrical insulators;
silicon and compound semiconductors are wavelength-dependent optical resistors (generating
mobile electrons), and dopant-dependent electrical conductors433. To date, the industry standard in
TCOs is ITO, or tin-doped indium-oxide.
Unidym (Sunnyvale, Calif.) has developed a carbon nanotube-based transparent electrode intended
to replace the indium tin oxide (ITO) currently used in such products as touch screens, LCD displays,
solar cells and OLEDs. Unidym’s CNT-based films are reportedly more mechanically- and chemically-
robust than ITO and can be deposited using a variety of low-cost methods. Unidym has been
providing samples to potential customers in the touch screen, LCD display, OLED and solar
industries. While no date has been set for commercial production of CNT-based films, it is forecast
that commercialisation is likely to take place in the 2014 through 2019-time frame434.
Graphene is another promising material to replace ITO as a TCO in transparent electrodes. The
project GLADIATOR, which is funded by the European Commission, has reached its mid-term point
and has already achieved some successes. The aim of the project is the cost-effective production of
high quality graphene over large surface areas, which can then be used for numerous electrode
applications. The usability of such applications will be demonstrated by Fraunhofer FEP by integrating
this graphene in OLEDs. With graphene as an electrode, the researchers at the Fraunhofer FEP hope
to create flexible devices with higher stability. The GLADIATOR project will run until April 2017. By
this time, several types of OLEDs will have been made using graphene electrodes: a white OLED
with an area of about 42 cm2 to demonstrate the high conductivity, and a fully-flexible, transparent
OLED with an area of 3 cm2 to confirm the mechanical reliability435.
In March 2013, the Chinese firm Chongqing Morsh Technology Co. Ltd received an order from
Guangdong Zhengyang Technology Incorporated Company to supply at least 10 million graphene
conducting film products per year for five years436.
Two nanomaterial-based thin film technologies are candidates to replace the indium tin oxide (ITO)
currently used in touch screens, LCD displays, solar cells, OLEDs and other electronic devices. Annual
consumption of ITO for these applications is approximately USD 1 billion for the material alone (i.e.
excluding deposition costs). These new technologies are transparent carbon nanotube-based
electrodes (such as the product Unidym is planning to launch in the near future) and graphene-
based electrodes. Combined sales of these two transparent electrode materials could approach USD
109 million by 2019, as shown in the figure below437.

432
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment p.138
433
Andreas Stadler (2012), Transparent Conducting Oxides — An Up-To-Date Overview. Materials 2012, 5: 661
434
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.69
435
http://cordis.europa.eu/news/rcn/128114_en.html
436
Investorintel: Chinese Firms to launch First Mass Produced 15″ Single-layer Graphene Film, March 27, 2013
437
BCC Research (2014), Nanotechnology: A Realistic Market Assessment, p.163

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Source: BCC Research, 2014

Figure 9-15: Global market for transparent electrodes to 2019

Case study: Luxtera Inc.

Luxtera Inc.438 was established in Carlsbad, California in 2001. It is a Caltech spin-out with
funding from venture capital, its business partners, and DARPA. Luxtera has also received
funding from leading venture capitalists including August Capital, New Enterprise Associates,
Sevin Rosen Funds and Lux Capital. In 2010, Luxtera was selected as one of MIT Technology
Review's 50 Most Innovative Companies.
Luxtera is a fabless semiconductor company that is using silicon photonics technology to develop
electro-optical systems in a production silicon CMOS process. It was the first company on the
market with a product that monolithically incorporates active optics for data communications
manufactured with low-cost silicon-based chip processing. This sort of technology (which has
been largely industrialised by companies like IBM or Intel) is widely expected to accelerate the
development of large portions of the existing photonics industry that rely on distinct assemblies
of electronic and photonic devices. Luxtera's partner is Freescale Semiconductor (fabricates
Luxtera's chips).
Luxtera is well-positioned to address three main market needs by providing low cost, long reach
optics, leveraging its silicon photonics technology:
1. The network market: Networks are changing to more flattened networks and now have a
need for low cost, long reach optics. Cloud data centres are becoming “hyper scale”, meaning
they are growing to a massive size and in some cases, require multiple massive structures in a
campus location.
2. The server market: Data rates are increasing, and there is a shift in the market to
disaggregate servers into pieces that consist of processors (CPUs), memory, and networking
interfaces. Once the server is disaggregated, the individual pieces are best interconnected via
optics.
3. The mobile infrastructure market: The demand for smartphones is creating great demand
for high bandwidth in mobile devices. Base stations are becoming more complex and require a
rapidly increasing number of long distance optical connections

438
http://www.luxtera.com/

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Luxtera has currently two main products, among the most advanced on the market:
The LUX62608 OptoPHYs™ are 200G (8 x 26 G) embedded optical modules. OptoPHY offers
customers the flexibility of field replaceable, pluggable optical transceivers by interfacing to
systems via a 100-pin small form factor connector. The OptoPHY optical transceiver sub-
assembly contains eight parallel fibre optic transceivers, each operating at data rates from 1
Gbps up to 26 Gbps and supporting a reach up to 2000 meters over standard single mode fibre.
The LUX42604 QSFP optical modules are faceplate pluggable optical transceivers that meet the
100G (4x26G) PSM4 MSA technical specifications. The LUX42604 delivers full performance up
to 25.78 Gbps per channel.
Key figures for Luxtera:
• Luxtera employs typically 120 people, including at least 30 working in R&D.
• The average revenue of the company is USD 22 million (EUR 19.6 million).
• 2001-2014 fund raising summary: USD 110.6M (EUR 83.2 M) in 6 rounds from 6 investors,
last funded on: March 24, 2014 (see below)
• 2008-2011: Public IPO Secured USD 68 million (EUR 48.9 million) of equity funding for
Luxtera, from venture capital and strategic investors during critical 2008/2009 period in
difficult financial markets
• 2011: Molex Inc. (MOLX) acquires Luxtera Inc’s “active optical cable” business for more than
USD 20 million (EUR 14.4 million). Luxtera rises over USD 22 million (EUR 15.8 million) in
venture capital funding from such firms as Austin Capital, Lux Capital, New Enterprise
Associates, Sevin Rosen Funds and Western Technology Investment
• 2012: Horizon Technology Finance Partners on $7.5 million (EUR 5.8 million) Venture Loan
Facility for Luxtera.
• 2015: Horizon Technology Finance: New loans in the third quarter of 2015, USD 833,000
(EUR 744,000) to Luxtera Inc, an existing portfolio company.
• 2008: Luxtera won a second grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to
further develop its high-bandwidth CMOS photonics transceiver technology
Future trends, prospects and expansion: Currently, Luxtera has a partnership with Molex, which
ships 40Gbp/s active optical cables, recognised widely for its best in class power consumption,
performance and reliability. It also entered into a partnership with STMicroelectronics in 2012.
Luxtera’s CMOS Photonics™ technology platform is high-performance, low-cost and scalable for
decades to come.

The next section looks at technologies that have the potential to develop into markets for
nanotechnology in ICT.

9.3.3 Novel technologies for ICT through nanotechnology

Technologies that are expected by stakeholders to have the potential to develop into markets for
nanotechnology in ICT are discussed below. They are:
• Quantum computing;
• Spintronics; and
• Valleytronics.

A QUANTUM COMPUTING

A quantum computer operates according to the principles of quantum mechanics, the physics of very
small things, such as electrons and photons. In a classical computer, a transistor stores a single “bit”
of information which can either be in an on (1) or off (0) configuration. By virtue of the superposition
principle, a quantum computer holds information (as a ‘qubit’) such that it can exist in two states,
as a 1 and a 0, at the same time. As one qubit can hold two values (1,0) and two qubits can hold
four values, and at any given time (00, 01, 10, and 11) and so on, by increasing the number of
qubits, the computing power of the system increases exponentially. Quantum computing is limited
by its coherence, its ability to retain its multiple states without reverting to a classical bit with only

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a single value439. While quantum computers are better in terms of capacity (useful for image and
speech recognition, real-time language translation, and data-crunching on a large scale the data
from sensors, medical records and stockmarkets), they do not offer improvements in the speed of
downloads or the quality of graphics440.
D-Wave Systems (Burnaby, Canada) is reported to be the world's first quantum computing company.
On May 11, 2011, D-Wave Systems announced D-Wave One, described as "the world's first
commercially available quantum computer," operating on a 128-qubit chipset using quantum
annealing (a general method for finding the global minimum of a function by a process using
quantum fluctuations) to solve optimisation problems441. Major clients of D-Wave Systems include
Lockheed-Martin, Google, NASA, and USC. D-Wave has been granted over 110 US patents and has
published over 80 peer-reviewed papers in leading scientific journals.442 443

Company snapshot: D-Wave Systems

D-Wave Systems Inc.444 was founded in 1999 and is based in Burnaby, Canada. The company
develops, fabricates, and integrates superconducting quantum computers. The company offers
The D-Wave Two System, a commercial quantum computer. Its quantum computers are used
in various applications, including mission planning/scheduling and logistics, software/hardware
validation and verification, pattern recognition and anomaly detection, network science and
graph theory applications, image and pattern recognition, machine learning, communication,
advanced search, optimisation problems, graph theory problems, material science, climate
modelling, bioinformatics, weather predictions, exploring quantum computing, risk modelling,
trading strategies, financial analysis and forecasting, energy exploration, seismic survey
optimisation, reserve and spot trading optimisation, and reservoir optimisation. It also
provides professional services, training, and customer support services. The company’s
products are also used in water network optimisation, radiotherapy optimisation, protein
folding, object detection, labelling news stories, Monte Carlo simulation, and video
compression applications. The company serves defence, Web, national laboratories,
universities, finance, and energy industries.
D-Wave Systems Inc. has raised USD 123.83 million in 10 Rounds from 14 Investors, with the
most recent venture investment in January 2015 (USD 29 million). The company had around
60 employees in 2013.

In June 2015, QuTech, an initiative by TU Delft and TNO developing quantum technology, received
the approval for a 10-year investment of EUR 135 million from a group of six private and
governmental parties. The aim of the tech-institution is to develop a quantum computer. In 2014,
QuTech was nominated as National Icon in the category of innovative projects that provide extra
support for the citizens of the Netherlands. Since 2010, the company has been receiving financial
support from Microsoft. QuTech has approximately 100 scientists in its employment, a figure they
hope to double in the coming years 445. In October 2015, Intel announced its support for QuTech,
albeit that it has been said that, from Intel’s perspective, practical applications of quantum
computing are still several years away446.
B SPINTRONICS
Spintronics, or spin electronics, refers to the study of the role played by electron (and more generally
nuclear) spin in solid state physics, and possible devices that specifically exploit spin properties
instead of, or in addition, to charge. The prototype device that is already in use in industry as a read

439
WIRED: Google’s Quantum Computer Just Got a Big Upgrade, September 28, 2015
440
The Economist: Quantum computers - A little bit, better, June 20, 2015
441
Gosh A, Mukherjee S (2013), Quantum Annealing and Computation: A Brief Documentary Note, SCIENCE
AND CULTURE (Indian Science News Association), vol. 79: 485
442
http://www.dwavesys.com/our-company/meet-d-wave
443
EXTREMETECH: Did Google’s quantum computer just get the biggest processor upgrade in history? October
1, 2015
444
http://www.dwavesys.com/
445
DAFNE: QuTech Receives €135 Million to Build Quantum-Computer, June 3 2015
446
Forbes Tech: Quantum Computing: From Theory To Reality, September 4, 2015

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head and a memory-storage cell is the giant-magnetoresistive (GMR) sandwich structure which
consists of alternating ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic metal layers. Depending on the relative
orientation of the magnetisations in the magnetic layers, the device resistance changes from small
(parallel magnetisations) to large (antiparallel magnetisations). This change in resistance (also called
magnetoresistance) is used to sense changes in magnetic fields447.
Current efforts in designing and manufacturing spintronic devices involve two different approaches.
The first is perfecting the existing GMR-based technology by either developing new materials with
larger spin polarisation of electrons or making improvements or variations in the existing devices
that allow for better spin filtering. The second, which is more radical, focuses on finding novel ways
of both generation and utilisation of spin-polarised currents. These include investigation of spin
transport in semiconductors and looking for ways in which semiconductors can function as spin
polarisers and spin valves448. Activities in this technology area include:
• NVE Corporation (Eden Prairie, MN, USA) manufactures spintronic products including sensors
and couplers that are used to acquire and transmit data. Their designs use one of two types of
patented spintronic nano-scale structures: spin-dependent tunnel junctions and giant
magnetoresistors (GMR). Both structures produce a large change in electrical resistance
depending on the predominant spin of electrons in a thin metal layer. In this way electron spin
can be converted to an electrical signal compatible with conventional electronics449.
• QuantumWise recently announced the 2015 version of their Virtual NanoLab and Atomistix
ToolKit atomic-scale modelling platform software. This is a research tool to help in the modelling
of spintronics. The new version includes added features such as electron-phonon interaction,
analysis functions for molecular dynamics simulations. Specifically, for spintronics research,
there are improvements for non-collinear and spin-orbit calculations. In addition, spin-orbit
coupling has been updated to perform better. The company also announced that Virtual NanoLab
(but not ATK) is now available free of charge to academic users.450
• Researchers from the Lomonosov Moscow State University together with British scientists
discovered recently that superconductivity is able to promote magnetisation in certain
conditions. Using this effect may lead to faster spintronic devices. The researchers say that
superconducting spintronic devices will demand far less energy and emit less heat compared to
current devices. The superconductors may be useful in the process of spin transportation while
ferromagnetics may be used to control spins451.

C VALLEYTRONICS
Valleytronics is cutting-edge electronics research using the wave quantum number of an electron in
a crystalline material to encode data. The “valley” in valleytronics comes from the shape of the graph
when the energy of electrons is plotted relative to their momentum: the resulting curve features two
valleys. Electrons move through the lattice of a 2D semiconductor as a wave populating these two
valleys, with each valley being characterised by a distinct momentum and quantum valley number.
If the two valleys can be manipulated so that one is deeper than the other, the electrons populate
one valley more than the other. When the electrons are in a minimum energy valley, the quantum
valley number associated with it can be used to encode information452. Developments in this area
include:
• Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) have recently developed a new
pathway to achieving “valleytronics” using two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors. The LBL
researchers believe that this new approach could make valleytronics a more stable alternative
to “spintronics” as a replacement for traditional electronics. The team used the 2D material called
tungsten diselenide in conjunction with a phenomenon known as the “optical Stark effect” to
selectively control photoexcited electrons/hole pairs—excitons—in different energy valleys. The
Stark effect involves the shifting and splitting of spectral lines of atoms and molecules when

447
http://www.physics.umd.edu/rgroups/spin/intro.html
448
Ibid
449
http://www.nve.com/spintronics.php
450
http://www.spintronics-info.com/quantumwise-releases-new-version-their-atomic-scale-modeling-platform-
software
451
http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=52350
452
IEEE Spectrum: Is "Valleytronics" the Next Big Thing in Quantum Computing? Februar 5 2015

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exposed to an external electric field453.

• In November 2015, researchers from the University of Tokyo demonstrated an electrically
controllable valleytronic device. The device converts regular electrical current to valley current
and then passes it through a 3.5 micron channel. The valley current is then converted back to
electrical current that can be detected (via its voltage). To create this new device, the
researchers used a bi-layer graphene that is placed between two insulator layers made from
hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). This structure is then placed between two conductive layers (or
gates) which control the valley. This device operates at -203 degrees Celsius - much higher than
expected, and the researchers hope that in the future devices such as this could operate at room
temperature454.

The next section looks at the wider environment for nanotechnology and ICT – regulation and
standards, environmental health and safety issues, communication and public attitudes.

453
Ibid
454
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-11/uot-vcc111215.php

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10 THE WIDER ENVIRONMENT FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT

10.1 Regulation and standards for nanotechnology
Regulatory frameworks applying to the ICT sector tend to focus on electronic communications and
networks where nanotechnologies are not directly involved at the current stage of development.
Materials used in ICT are the highly regulated as environmental protection is paramount. Nanoscale
materials used in ICT are also covered under nano-specific regulations such as the registers that
have appeared in several countries.

10.1.1 European regulations for nanotechnology

In the European Union, ICT is regulated under the European framework directive for Electronic
communications and is mostly oriented towards the provision of network services and international
trade. This regulatory framework does not address the uses of nanotechnology in ICT.
Nanomaterials used to make or improve ICT must comply with the overarching regulatory framework
in place for chemical substances. ICT innovations using nanotechnologies also fall under the scope
of electronics regulations, such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) -
2012/19/EU and the Directive on the Restriction of the use of Certain Hazardous Substances in
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS2) - 2011/65/EU.
The WEEE directive refers to a 2009 Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly
Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) entitled ‘Risk assessment of Products of Nanotechnologies’ stating
that ‘when nanomaterials are firmly embedded in large structures, for example in electronic circuits,
they are less likely to escape this structure and no human or environmental exposure is likely to
occur.’ This directive also states that the European Commission should consider nanomaterials when
reviewing Annex VII - Selective treatment for materials and components of waste electrical and
electronic equipment referred to in Article 8(2) of the Directive. At the moment, nanomaterials have
not been directly addressed in this annex.
The RoHS2 directive restricts the use of hazardous materials for electronic and electronical materials
and mentions nanomaterials. In the absence of scientific evidence concerning nanomaterials
hazardous properties, the European institutions are invited to consider such substances during the
process of reviewing Annex II – List of Restricted Substances. Between late 2012 and June 2014,
Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt) had been tasked with writing up a methodology
for the review of the List of Restricted Substances under RoHS2, under these methodology
nanomaterials are not prioritised but assessors are still invited to be cautious when dealing with such
substances. An exemption from restriction is ongoing for the use of cadmium quantum dots (CdQD)
in illumination and display lighting applications, this exemption is however subject to debate in the
European Parliament.
Some ICT applications may have both military and civil purposes; such goods are subjected to the
EU Regulation setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and
transit of dual-use items (428/2009). This text is set in the context of the international regime known
as the Wassenaar Arrangement. Trade of dual use goods is restricted and requires an authorisation
from national authorities, dual use goods are identified in a ‘dual use list’ where ICT is addressed in
Categories 3 (Electronics), 4 (computers) and 5 (Telecommunications and information security).
Some nanotechnology applications appear in the dual use list; under Electronics, ‘nano-imprint
lithography tools capable of producing features of 95nm or less (3.B)‘ are per example submitted to
dual use rules.
Nano-specific regulations may also apply. The European Union is well-advanced but not alone in
seeing the need for greater scrutiny on the use of nanotechnologies. With the first Regulatory Review
on Nanomaterials SEC (2008) 2036 and the Second Regulatory Review on Nanomaterials SWD
(2012) 288 final, the EC has given Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration,
Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) a central role in regulating
nanomaterials. “There are no provisions in REACH referring explicitly to nanomaterials. However,
nanomaterials are covered by the ‘substance’ definition in REACH”, states the 2008 Communication.
A third Regulatory Review is planned in 2016.
Since the summer of 2013, there has been ongoing work to adapt the Annexes of REACH to
specifically address nanomaterials; an impact assessment and a large consultation on this issue have

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been run by the European Commission but discussions are still ongoing.
To facilitate regulation, inter alia, a definition of nanomaterials has been defined by the European
Commission in its Recommendation on the Definition of a Nanomaterial - 2011/696/EU. This non-
binding document has also been used by other pieces of regulation to define the term ‘nanomaterial’.
The definition is the following:
“2. ‘Nanomaterial’ means a natural, incidental or manufactured material containing particles, in an
unbound state or as an aggregate or as an agglomerate and where, for 50 % or more of the particles
in the number size distribution, one or more external dimensions is in the size range 1 nm-100 nm.
In specific cases and where warranted by concerns for the environment, health, safety or
competitiveness the number size distribution threshold of 50 % may be replaced by a threshold
between 1 and 50 %.”
Developed in 2011, this definition is undergoing a review process that should have been concluded
in December 2014; an outcome of this review could be a revision of the definition.
The table below lists some key regulatory documents within the European Union as a whole and
within Member States. Nano-specific regulations may come into force at different stages of the
production process (e.g. at the manufacturing stage of a batch of nanomaterials with uses in various
sectors including ICT).
Table 10-1: Overview of regulations for nanotechnology use in Europe

Status Name of the Country/ Scope Nano-specific

document Region
Implemented Regulation concerning EU Chemicals & Raw No, but
the Registration, Materials, ‘substance’
Evaluation, covers
Authorisation and nanomaterials
Restriction of Chemicals
(REACH) -
1907/2006(EC)
Implemented European Commission EU Substances at the Yes
Recommendation on the Nanoscale
Definition of a
Nanomaterial
Implemented Decree on the annual France Substances at the Yes
declaration on nano-scale)
substances at nano-
scale - 2012-232
Implemented Royal Decree regarding Belgium Substances Yes
the Placement on the Manufactured at
Market of Substances the Nano-scale
manufactured at the
Nano-scale
Implemented Order on a Register of Denmark Nanomaterials Yes
Mixtures and Articles
that contain
Nanomaterials as well as
the Requirement for
Manufacturers and
Importers to report to
the Register – BEK no.
644

There are also efforts underway within the research community to develop a testing strategy for
engineered nanomaterials. These include the ITS-NANO project under FP7-NMP which seeks to
establish a roadmap for the development of advanced tools and databases that help to assess the

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risks through knowledge-based decision making.455

While the European Union has been developing a regulatory framework for nanomaterials under
REACH, some European Member States (as in the table above) have sought to find additional ways
to regulate nanotechnologies e.g. through databases and reporting schemes for nanomaterials.
Under the Belgian Presidency of the European Union, in 2010, the European Union opened the
discussion on a 'harmonised database of nanomaterials’; it was followed by a 2012 letter to the
European Commission calling for a European Reporting Scheme, signed by 10 then European
Member States, plus Croatia.
The French Grenelle Acts (Lois Grenelle I & II) led to the creation of a mandatory reporting scheme
for nanomaterials. In 2012, the Decree456 on the annual declaration on substances at nano-scale -
2012-232 was published; it came into force on 1 January 2013. It grants to the French Agency for
Food Safety, the Environment and Labour (ANSES) the authority to collect “information from a
production, distribution, import of nano-scale substances of 100 grammes”.
The Belgian FPS (Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment) has also been working on a
similar scheme. In February 2014, the Belgian Council of Ministers validated the Royal Decree
regarding the Placement on the Market of Substances manufactured at the Nano-scale457. The
registration of substances will begin from 1 January 2016, while mixtures will be registered from 1
January 2017.
In June 2014, the Danish Order on a Register of Mixtures and Articles that contain Nanomaterials as
well as the Requirement for Manufacturers and Importers to report to the Register - BEK nr 644
came into force. With this Order, the Ministry of the Environment created a national mandatory
database of nanomaterial-containing products that will register the first products (for 2014) in 2015.
Norway is considering such a nanomaterials register under its Pollution Control Authority (SFT).
From 2013, the Norwegian Product Register requires information for chemicals containing ‘a
substance in nano form’ with a ‘tickbox’ system. Sweden has given the mandate to its chemical
agency (KEMI) to develop a reporting scheme and Italy is also considering setting up a similar
system.

10.1.2 Nanotechnology regulation in the rest of the world

The European RoHS2 and WEEE directives enacting restrictions for the use of certain hazardous
materials are applied in ICT have been adapted in numerous countries outside of Europe (i.e.
Argentina, China, Vietnam, the State of California, India, etc.). The Japanese authorities have taken
a slightly different approach and did not introduce restrictions but labelling requirements. These do
not specifically target nanomaterials.
In the United States of America, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is the main chemical
regulation. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in charge of adapting this regulation
to nanoscale materials (the US authorities have decided not to write a binding definition of a
nanomaterial). The latest regulatory initiative was taken by US EPA in April 2015 with the publication
of a proposed rule for section 8 (a) of TSCA. This proposal would introduce reporting and
recordkeeping requirements for nanoscale materials as well as a 135-days pre-notification
requirement for the manufacturers of ‘chemical substances as discrete nanoscale materials’.
In Canada, Health Canada and Environment Canada have been looking at similar approaches and
requires manufacturers and importers to register information on a selection of 206 substances at
the nanoscale under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA 1999).
European products are also subject to regulatory frameworks in other countries if they are to be
marketed abroad. Marketing authorisations have to be applied for in each region or country and
there are considerable differences between, for example, the US (implemented by the FDA 458),

455
http://www.its-nano.eu
456
Décret n° 2012-232 du 17 février 2012 relatif à la déclaration annuelle des substances à
l'état nanoparticulaire pris en application de l'article L. 523-4 du code de l'environnement
457
Koninklijk besluit betreffende het op de markt brengen van als nanodeeltjes geproduceerde stiffen or Arrêté
royal relatif à la mise sur le marché des substances manufacturées à l’état nanoparticulaire
458
US Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/

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Canada, Australia, China and Japan.

10.1.3 Standardisation and nanotechnology

At the international level, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is responsible for
the standardisation of nanotechnologies with its TC 229. ISO/TC 229 Nanotechnologies has not
directly addressed ICT in its work. The TC has however worked on substances used in such products
such as carbon nano-objects that were defined in ISO/TS 80004-3:2010 and supported by a series
of characterisation documents.
In Europe, the European Committee for Standardisation committee on nanotechnology (CEN/TC
352) has not developed standards relevant to the ICT sector but it does cover ICT and
nanotechnology more generally through its working group on health safety and environmental
aspects.
ICT is addressed by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in IEC/TC113 – Nanotechnology
standardisation for electrical and electronic products and systems. The Technical committee has
participated to joint terminology work with ISO/TC 229 and has also produced technical
specifications on key control characteristics for the manufacturing of electronics at the nanoscale
(IEC 62607 series). On EHS aspects, the IEC/TC 113 is currently developing Guidelines for quality
and risk assessment for nano-enabled electrotechnical products (IEC/TS 62844).
IEC/TC 113 is mirrored in Europe by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation
(CENELEC) committee CLC/SR 113; this committee has not produced standardisation documents.
While standardisation bodies have nanotechnology committees, nanotechnologies are cross-sectoral
and are therefore relevant in other specific TCs of ISO. The EU FP7 project NanoSTAIR identified all
ISO/TCs working with nanotechnologies.

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10.2 Environment, health and safety and nanotechnology

This section presents an analysis of the human health and safety aspects of eight of the more
commonly used materials for ICT: gallium arsenide, gallium nitride, molybdenum disulphide,
tungsten selenide, silica (amorphous and crystalline), graphene and silver. The selection was based
on their common usage and/or likely future usage in ICT. It was not intended that the review be
exhaustive and more materials can be added at a later date if required.
The basis for the evaluation was “Stoffenmanager Nano” application459, 460, a risk-banding tool
developed for employers and employees to prioritise health risks occurring as a result of respiratory
exposure to nanoparticles for a broad range of worker scenarios.
The respiratory route is the main route of exposure for many occupational scenarios, while the oral
route of exposure is considered minor and sufficiently covered, from a safety point of view, by good
hygiene practices established in production facilities as prescribed through general welfare provisions
in national health and safety legislation in EU countries461. In view of the nature of the products in
this sector, oral exposure of consumers is also considered to be minor.
The dermal route may be the main route of exposure for some substances or exposure situations,
and cause local effects on the skin or systemic effects after absorption into the body 462. However,
nanoparticles as such are very unlikely to penetrate the skin 463 and consequently nano-specific
systemic toxicity via the dermal route is improbable. Therefore, when evaluating risks from
nanotechnology for the respiratory route, the most important aspects of occupational and consumer
safety are covered.

10.2.1 Hazard assessment of nanoparticles

In Stoffenmanager Nano, the available hazard information is used to assign specific nanoparticles to
one of five hazard bands, labelled A to E (A= low hazard, E= highest hazard). The table below
presents an overview of selected nanoparticles of the ICT sector and their hazard bands, either taken
from le Feber et al. (2014)464 or van Duuren et al. (2012)465 or derived in this project.
Table 10-2: Hazard bands for the specified nanoparticles

Nanoparticles Hazard band Source

Gallium Arsenide D This report
Gallium Nitride n/a no data
Graphene E This report
Molybdenum Disulphide C This report
Silicon Dioxide (silica), Synthetic Amorphous C le Feber et al. (2014)
Silicon Dioxide (silica), Crystalline E van Duuren et al. (2012)
Silver D le Feber et al. (2014)
Tungsten Selenide n/a no data

459
Marquart, H., Heussen, H., Le Feber, M., Noy, D., Tielemans, E., Schinkel, J., West, J., Van Der Schaaf, D.,
2008. 'Stoffenmanager', a web-based control banding tool using an exposure process model. Ann. Occup.
Hyg. 52, 429-441.
460
Van Duuren-Stuurman, B., Vink, S., Verbist, K.J.M., Heussen, H.G.A., Brouwer, D., Kroese, D.E.D., Van Niftrik,
M.F.J., Tielemans, E., Fransman, W., 2012. Stoffenmanager Nano version 1.0: a web-based tool for risk
prioritisation of airborne manufactured nano objects. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 56, 525-541.
461
ECHA, 2012. Chapter R.14: Occupational exposure estimation in: Anonymous Guidance on Information
Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment., Version: 2.1 ed. European Chemicals Agency, Helsinki,
Finland.
462
Ibid
463
Watkinson, A.C., Bunge, A.L., Hadgraft, J., Lane, M.E., 2013. Nanoparticles do not penetrate human skin - A
theoretical perspective. Pharm. Res. 30, 1943-1946
464
Le Feber, M., Kroese, E.D., Kuper, C.F., Stockmann-Juvala, H., Hyytinen, E.R., 2014. Pre-assigned hazard
bands for commonly used nanoparticles. TNO2014 R11884.
465
M.F.J., Tielemans, E., Fransman, W., 2012. Stoffenmanager Nano version 1.0: a web-based tool for risk
prioritisation of airborne manufactured nano objects. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 56, 525-541.

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Details of the hazard bands derived for each material are given below, except for silica. The hazard
banding of silica nanoparticles has already been reported466 467.
GALLIUM ARSENIDE

No toxicity studies on nano-GaAs were encountered in public literature. According to data from the
REACH dossier of GaAs, (powdered) GaAs has limited solubility in water (based on released As3+
ions). GaAs is marketed as an article made from very pure (99.9999%) crystalline bulk material,
predominantly in the shape of wafers468, implying an even lower water solubility. Therefore, applying
the methodology of van Duuren et al. (2012), the hazard characteristics of the parent material are
used.
GaAs is classified as carcinogenic, but not mutagenic (based on sufficient evidence) by the EU. It
should be noted that the classification for carcinogenicity was based on inhalation studies with
micronised powdered GaAs, and that the relevance of these studies for human exposure to
crystalline GaAs is questioned469. Based on the classification of the bulk material, nanoGaAs is
attributed hazard band D.
GALLIUM NITRIDE

No relevant toxicity studies on nano-gallium nitride were encountered in public literature. Gallium
nitride wafers are virtually insoluble in water, even in dilute acid 470, and therefore, applying the
methodology of van Duuren et al. (2012), the hazard characteristics of the parent material are used.
Gallium nitride is not classified for any toxicity by the EU. However, this absence of classification
was based on the lack of data. Besides the gallium ions, which are not considered relevant for gallium
nitride since it is insoluble in water471, only one structurally-similar compound was found using the
on-line ChemID database: gallium phosphide, which was characterised as being 80% similar with
gallium nitride. For this compound also no relevant toxicity data were found, meaning read-across
could not be employed. Therefore, no hazard banding could be derived.
GRAPHENE
Graphene is composed of sp2-hybridised carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional structure. The
various forms of graphene include few-layer graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene
nanosheets and graphene oxide (GO)472.
The UK government body, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are now reviewing all forms of graphene and
functionalised graphene oxide (GO) because of their poor solubility, high agglomeration, long-term
retention, and relatively long circulation time in the blood473.
Currently, limited information about the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of graphene is available (Seabra,
et al. 2014). The toxicity profiles of graphene and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles remain difficult
to separate, since their characterisation, bulk and chemical composition are very similar at the
nanometre length scale (Nezakati, et al. 2014).
In vitro graphene has been demonstrated to be cytotoxic, be it overall to a lesser degree than carbon
nanotubes (Seabra, et al. 2014). However, the reliability of this conclusion can be doubted since
Seabra et al. stated that graphene showed an inverse dose-relationship, being more cytotoxic than

466
Le Feber, M., Kroese, E.D., Kuper, C.F., Stockmann-Juvala, H., Hyytinen, E.R., 2014. Pre-assigned hazard
bands for commonly used nanoparticles. TNO2014 R11884.
467
M.F.J., Tielemans, E., Fransman, W., 2012. Stoffenmanager Nano version 1.0: a web-based tool for risk
prioritisation of airborne manufactured nano objects. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 56, 525-541.
468
Bomhard, E.M., Gelbke, H.-., Schenk, H., Williams, G.M., Cohen, S.M., 2013. Evaluation of the carcinogenicity
of gallium arsenide. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 43, 436-466
469
Ibid
470
Jewett, S.A., Makowski, M.S., Andrews, B., Manfra, M.J., Ivanisevic, A., 2012. Gallium nitride is biocompatible
and non-toxic before and after functionalisation with peptides. Acta Biomater. 8, 728-733
471
Foster, C.M., Collazo, R., Sitar, Z., Ivanisevic, A., 2013. Aqueous stability of Ga- and N-polar gallium nitride.
Langmuir 29, 216-220.
472
Seabra, A.B., Paula, A.J., De Lima, R., Alves, O.L., Durán, N., 2014. Nanotoxicity of graphene and graphene
oxide. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 27, 159-168.
473
Begum et al. 2011 cited in Nezakati, T., Cousins, B.G., Seifalian, A.M., 2014. Toxicology of chemically modified
graphene-based materials for medical application. Arch. Toxicol. 88, 1987-2012.

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carbon nanotubes at low concentrations. The only elaborate comparative study reported by Seabra
et al., refers to genotoxicity towards human fibroblast cells. GO proved to be the most potent
genotoxic agent compared to iron oxide (Fe304), titanium dioxide (Ti02), silicon dioxide (Si02), zinc
oxide (ZnO), indium (In), tin (Sn), core—shell zinc sulphate-coated cadmium selenide
(CdSe(3)ZnS), and carbon nanotubes.
Intratracheal instillation of 50 µg GO in mice caused severe pulmonary distress after inhalation
causing excessive inflammation, while the amount of non-functionalised graphene instilled did not474.
Single intravenous (i.v.) injection of graphene oxide into mice at a dose of 10 mg/kg bw accumulated
in the lung resulting in pulmonary oedema and granuloma formation, with NOAEL of 1 mg/kg bw 475.
Furthermore, surface functionalised graphene (PEGylated) appears to be far less toxic: no toxic
effects after single i.v. injection of 20 mg/kg bw (Yang, et al. 2011). In mice, PEGylated GO materials
showed no uptake via oral administration, indicating limited intestinal absorption of the material,
with almost complete excretion. In contrast, upon i.p. injection in mice, PEGylated GO was found to
accumulate in the liver and spleen476.
The toxicity of graphene is dependent on the graphene surface (the chemical structure or the nature
of the functionalised coatings), size, number of layers, cell type, administration route (for in vivo
experiments), dose, time of exposure, and synthesis methods (Seabra, et al. 2014). Generalisations
are therefore hard to make, but graphene nanostructures are not fibre-shaped and theoretically may
be assumed to be safer than carbon nanotubes (Seabra, et al. 2014).
Based on the scarce available evidence, and in spite of its theoretical advantage in relation to carbon
nanotubes, it cannot be excluded that some forms of graphene will be as potent a toxicant as carbon
nanotubes. Therefore, graphene is assigned to hazard band E.
MOLYBDENUM DISULPHIDE

No relevant toxicity studies on nano-molybdenum disulphide were encountered in public literature.

It is insoluble in water and therefore, applying the methodology of van Duuren et al. (2012), the
hazard characteristics of the parent material are used. Molybdenum disulphide is not classified for
any toxicity by the EU. Based on this absence of classification, the nanoforms should be assigned
hazard band C, the lowest category a nanoparticle can be assigned just based on toxicity data for
its non-nano parent compound477.
TUNGSTEN SELENIDE

No relevant toxicity studies on nano-tungsten selenide were encountered in public literature.

Tungsten selenide is also not classified for any toxicity by the EU. However, this absence of
classification was based on lacking data. Also on the top five similar compounds retrieved by ChemID
(rhenium selenide, tantalum selenide, tungsten telluride, manganese selenide and molybdenum
selenide, similarity ranging from 85 to 95%) no relevant toxicity data were found, meaning read-
across could not be employed. Therefore, no hazard banding could be derived.

10.2.2 Exposure assessment

Manufacturing of the applied nanomaterials in ICT is a crucial phase regarding health and safety,
due to relatively high potentials for exposure of employees. However, the production phase was
earlier described in the sector “manufacturing” and will not be evaluated in this sector report.
Most of the engineered nanomaterials are present in the products as part of a matrix. During the
manufacture of ICT products engineered nanomaterials may be used and are applied mainly as
coatings. For the majority of these coatings, only a low percentage of engineered nanomaterials are

474
Duch, M.C., Budinger, G.R.S., Liang, Y.T., Soberanes, S., Urich, D., Chiarella, S.E., Campochiaro, L.A.,
Gonzalez, A., Chandel, N.S., Hersam, M.C., Mutlu, G.M., 2011. Minimising oxidation and stable nanoscale
dispersion improves the biocompatibility of graphene in the lung. Nano Letters 11, 5201-5207.
475
Zhang, X., Yin, J., Peng, C., Hu, W., Zhu, Z., Li, W., Fan, C., Huang, Q., 2011. Distribution and biocompatibility
studies of graphene oxide in mice after intravenous administration. Carbon 49, 986-995
476
Yang, K., Wan, J., Zhang, S., Zhang, Y., Lee, S.-., Liu, Z., 2011. In vivo pharmacokinetics, long-term
biodistribution, and toxicology of pegylated graphene in mice. ACS Nano 5, 516-522. (Cited in Seabra, et al.
2014)
477
Van Duuren-Stuurman, B., Vink, S., Verbist, K.J.M., Heussen, H.G.A., Brouwer, D., Kroese, D.E.D., Van Niftrik,
M.F.J., Tielemans, E., Fransman, W., 2012. Stoffenmanager Nano version 1.0: a web-based tool for risk
prioritisation of airborne manufactured nano objects. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 56, 525-541.

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present. Some of the identified substances may not necessarily be engineered nanomaterials.
The production phase of ICT products on industrial scale consists mainly of automatic processes,
with employees only engaged in product quality control or system engineering. In addition, most
processes are performed in cleanrooms and/or under well-controlled conditions, as dust is a major
threat to the quality of the products. Nevertheless, spray scenarios for coating normally result in
high exposure concentrations, so potential exposure cannot be neglected. In the situation of a
manual process without proper exposure control measures (e.g. local exhaust ventilation,
cleanroom), employees may be exposed to relatively higher concentrations. Lastly, during the end-
of-life phase several metals may be present in the ICT product, which can be worthwhile to recycle.
Recycling of these metals may involve, for example, shredding of ICT products, and any engineered
nanomaterials could become airborne. However, as the shredded products only will contain a small
amount of engineered nanomaterials, potential exposure to engineered nanomaterials during this
process will be relatively low.
In conclusion, the use of nanotechnology ICT products results in exposure band 1 (consumers and
workers), whereas during the production of nanotechnology ICT products exposure band 2 (workers)
is believed to be realistic. Furthermore, during the end-of-life phase an exposure band 1 (workers)
is realistic.

10.2.3 Risk assessment

The hazard and exposure bands are combined to yield so called priority bands, according to the
scheme depicted in the table below. A high priority implies that it is urgent to apply exposure control
measures or to assess the risks more precisely, and a low priority implies that it is not very urgent
to apply exposure control measures ort to establish the risk involved with more precision. It should
be emphasised that because of the scarcity of available information, the scheme is set in a
conservative way (according to the precautionary principle).
Table 10-3: Priority bands in the Stoffenmanager system

Hazard band A B C D E

Exposure band

1 3 3 3 2 1

2 3 3 2 2 1

3 3 2 2 1 1

4 2 1 1 1 1

Key:
Hazard: A = lowest hazard and E = highest hazard;
Exposure: 1 = lowest exposure and 4 = highest exposure;
Overall result: 1 = highest priority and 3 = lowest priority (Van Duuren-Stuurman, et al. 2012)

Risks based on the hazard and exposure banding applied to the ICT sector are listed the table below.

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Table 10-4: Priority bands for the ICT sector

Exposure Band
Production Phase of Use and End-of-life
ICT Product Phase ICT Products
Nanoparticle Hazard Band 2 1
Gallium arsenide D 2 2
Gallium nitride n/a n/a n/a
Graphene E 1 1
Molybdenum disulphide C 2 3
Silicon dioxide C 2 3
(silica), synthetic
amorphous
Silicon dioxide (silica), E 1 1
crystalline
Silver D 2 2
Tungsten selenide n/a n/a n/a

The highest priority is for graphene and crystalline silica during the production, use and end-of-life
phases, while gallium arsenide and nanosilver have intermediate priority in those phases. Molyb-
denum disulphide and amorphous silica also have intermediate priority in the production phase, but
low priority during use and end-of-life phase in view of a lesser potential of exposure in those phases.
For gallium nitride and tungsten selenide no adequate data were available to perform hazard and
exposure banding.
This section on human health and safety is presented in full in the Annex: Human Health and Safety.

The next section looks at communication and societal attitudes.

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10.3 Communication, public attitudes and societal issues

This section looks at nanotechnology and ICT in printed and online media and then reviews some
surveys of the public.

10.3.1 Printed and online media

A search on the web and in news media of terms related to nanotechnology and ICT 478 shows (see
table below) that ICT related nanotechnology is reported in the media, though some terms are more
common than others, e.g. neuromorphic relative to nano-electronics. Neuromorphic engineering is
a multi-disciplinary research field encompassing nanotechnology, along with biology, computer
science and electronic engineering. The popularity of the term and/or the field has ballooned since
the start of the decade, and has evidently captured the imagination of the media with its goal to
mimic neural networks. Conversely nano-electronics is technical term for a narrow field of research
that the public might not relate to.
While these data are approximate, they may be useful in identifying where the public can find the
most information, relatively speaking, on a given nanotechnology topic. The number of news items
is an indication of where the media perceive that the interest of the public lies.
Table 10-5: Frequency of articles on the web, in the news for nanotechnology ICT topics

Select ICT keywords Web, News, News / Web, %

thousands thousands
Network-on-chip 344 0.44 0.1%
Nano-electronics 311 0.82 0.3%
Spintronic 287 1.1 0.4%
Neuromorphic 265 7.6 2.9%
Giant Magnetoresistance 197 0.45 0.2%
Total of 30 ICT keywords 479
3,200 30 0.9%

A second search was done to obtain an indication of where the interests of academics lie. Using
Google Scholar480, it was found that nano-electronics appears to be a more active research area
than neuromorphic engineering. Actually, it is more likely that researchers working in both fields,
but neuromorphic engineering in particular, use specialist terms in describing their work, not the
broad terms covering the entire field.

478
The search was carried out using a selection of nano-ICT related keywords: "Network-on-chip", “D-RAM”,
"Biocomputing", "Nanoelectronic", "Spintronic", "Neuromorphic", "Giant magnetoresistance",
"Microelectromechanical system", "Quantum computing" Nano, "Avalanche diode", "Magnetic tunnel
junction", "Spin torque", "Graphene electronics", "Valleytronics", "Photonic crystal cavity", "Tunnel FET",
"Spin transistor", "Nanoelectromechanical system", "Programmable metallisation cell", "Nanoresonator"
"Nanowire MOSFET", "Nanowire electronic", "Semiconductor nanodevices", "Nano-optomechanical", "Silicon-on-
insulator FET", "Nano-ICT", "Nano-electronic memory", "Nano-optomechanical system", and "Nanoribbon
heterojunction".
479
Ibid
480
Google Scholar is an online database of many of the peer-reviewed online journals of Europe and the US, plus
books and non-peer reviewed journals, containing an estimated 160 million documents in 2014 (Orduña-
Malea, E, et al. (2014). About the size of Google Scholar: playing the numbers. Granada: EC3 Working
Papers, 18: 23 July 2014.)

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Table 10-6: Frequency on Google Scholar of nanotechnology ICT topics

Select ICT keywords Scholar, thousands Scholar/Web %

Network-on-chip 23 6.6%
Nano-electronics 36 12%
Spintronic 34 12%
Neuromorphic 15 5.7%
Giant magnetoresistance 28 14%
Total of 30 ICT keywords 258 8.0%

The types of news articles that have used the terms neuromorphic and nano-electronics was
analysed using a sample of the top 100 news articles from 2014 and 2015 as identified using the
Google search engine. A higher proportion of articles using the term neuromorphic are from general
interest of general science type publications (e.g. daily newspapers, wired magazine, articles in
financial magazines) than those articles using the term nano-electronics. This supports the fact that
neuromorphic engineering, though a booming research field has also become a media “buzz-word”
while nano-electronics has not.

Figure 10-1: Type of website for the top 100 news items for neuromorphic and nano-
electronics
Graphene is a nanomaterial with huge and growing potential for ICT applications due to its superior
conductive and other properties which researchers are increasingly manipulating and exploiting.
Research in graphene is driven by electronic applications as evidenced by the share of academic
publications related to “graphene” and “graphene electronics” applications, as shown in the figure
below481.

481
Note: 2015 data only to early December.

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Trends over time in Google Scholar results for the “graphene” and “graphene
electronics”
160
Number of results ('000s)

140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Graphene Graphene electronics

Figure 10-2: Trends over time in Google Scholar results for the “graphene” and “graphene
electronics”

10.3.2 Surveys of the public

More rigorous measures of public awareness, attitudes and communication can be seen through
surveys. Although not representative for the ‘average’ EU-citizen, the results provide some
indications of trends in attitudes.
NanOpinion was an FP7 project, which ran from 2012 to 2014, focused on monitoring public opinion
on nanotechnology in Europe482. An online hub, social media, education and information booths in
public spaces and special events were used to develop a dialogue with the general public about
nanotechnology. Over 1,500 questionnaires were completed in which participants answered
questions designed to gauge their understanding and opinions on nano.
Analysis of the responses revealed that Europeans in general have little understanding of
nanotechnology but are generally interested in and positive about it. Respondents expected
information on nanotechnology to be honest and balanced and wished there was more information
available, particularly in the popular media. Across all educational backgrounds, they would be
interested in buying products containing nanomaterials, including food containers, clothing and sun
creams. However, they would like to see nano-containing products labelled with detailed information
and the testing and regulation of these products carried out by independent national or international
bodies rather than profit-oriented companies. Their main policy recommendations were to promote
consistent and detailed product labelling carried out by an independent body, to update teachers’
knowledge of nanotechnology and to encourage more interdisciplinary science, technology,
engineering and mathematics curricula.
The objectives of NanoDiode, an FP7 project running from mid-2013 to mid-2016, is to develop a
co-ordinated and innovative strategy to engage EU civil society in a dialogue about responsibility
around nanotechnologies483. As part of their approach, they reviewed the experiences and outputs
of previous European projects on nanotechnology dialogue and outreach in order to identify best
practices they could adopt for educational workshops and other activities484. The scope of NanoDiode
is more ambitious than NanOpinion in as much as they aim to facilitate dialogue across all levels of
the nanotechnology value chain, from the general public to policy makers. Through outreach,
education and specific events they will involve a cross-section of researchers, industrialists, citizens,
scientific advisers and policy makers with the aim of learning where and how society wish

482
www.nanopinion.eu
483
www.nanodiode.eu
484
Analysing previous experiences and European projects on nanotechnology outreach and dialogue and
identifying best practices, Daan Schuurbiers and De Proeffabriek, March 2014, (Accessed at
http://www.proeffabriek.nl/uploads/media/NanoDiode_WP1_Best_Practices.pdf in November 2015)

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nanotechnologies to be applied. For example, they aim to bring groups of potential nanotechnology
‘users’ (industrial customers as well as consumers) together with researchers working on near-
market products in order to facilitate discussions which could help steer the research towards social
values and user needs.
In addition to these FP7 projects, two population surveys in Germany provide some data on the
public’s attitudes (Zimmer et al, 2009)485, as well as a survey among young people conducted within
the framework of the NANOYOU project (NANOYOU, 2010) 486 and a recent survey in the USA
(Shipman, 2010)487. OECD work on public engagement with nanotechnology has led to the
production of a guide to assist policymakers (OECD, 2010)488.
Table 10-7: Assessments by the public of various applications of nanotechnology
From German online discourses and a questionnaire survey (Böl et al. 2010)

Application Ratio of positive to negative assessments

Online discourses Population survey

Cancer therapies 90 : 10 (not asked)
“Other serious medical applications” 88 : 12 87 : 13
Surface treatment (textile & vehicle) 67 : 33 93 : 7 (paints)
91 : 9 (textile)
Cosmetics (excl. sunscreens) 59 : 41 51 : 49
Textile; other than surface treatment 56 : 44 76 : 24
Food packaging 25 : 75 81 : 19 (detection)
64 : 36 (foil quality)
Foodstuffs 10 : 90 25 : 75 (lump prevention)
10 : 90 (appearance)
Sunscreen products 10 : 90 78 : 22
Dietary supplements 0 : 100 not asked

Relatively favourable situations may exist if citizens have concrete experiences with, or expectations
towards specific applications; they tend to support applications “that are linked to a wider social
good or perceived individual benefit” (Böl, 2010; Fleischer et al., 2012) 489,490.

485
Zimmer, R., Hertel, R., Böl, G.F., 2009, “Public perceptions about nanotechnology: Representative survey and
basic morphological-psychological study”, Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR)
486
Nanoyou, 2010 http://cordis.europa.eu/publication/rcn/15319_fr.html
487
Shipman, M., 2010, “Hiding risks can hurt public support for nanotechnology”, News Services NCSU
488
http://www.oecd.org/sti/biotech/49961768.pdf
489
Böl, G.F., Epp A., Hertel, R., 2010, “Perception of nanotechnology in internet-based discussions”,
Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR)
490
Fleischer, T., Jahnel J., Seitz S.B., 2012, “NanoSafety – Risk governance of manufactured nanoparticles”,
European Commission

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11 CONCLUDING SUMMARY
Nanotechnology is seen to be contributing to the goals of making smaller, faster and more robust
devices that can process and store more, faster and better.
Policy supports in Europe include the EU RTD Framework Programmes projects, ERA-NET491s,
European Technology Platforms and Networks of Excellence, as well as the Digital Agenda for Europe.
Member States support nanotechnology within broad science and technology initiatives (e.g. the
United Kingdom, the Netherlands) and through special initiatives such as IMEC492 in Belgium and
the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory493 in Portugal.
The strongest publishing countries in 2014 were China and the US, followed by Korea, Japan,
Germany, India and the United Kingdom. Of the EU28, the strongest in publications in 2014 were
Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain.
The leading EU28 countries for nanotechnology and ICT are Germany, France and the United
Kingdom in the Framework Programmes (FP6 and FP7) are also the leaders in publication output
2000-2014 and, together with the Netherlands, are the top four for patent applications (as measured
by patent families in 1993-2011). Belgium also performs strongly in all three areas.
In terms of individual organisations in the EU28, the CNRS 494 (FR), the CEA495 (FR) and IMEC (BE)
perform the most strongly in projects and patents while the strongest publishers are generally
universities such as Cambridge, Paris XI Sud, Dresden and Manchester (albeit with IMEC in third
place).
The global market for products in nanotechnology and ICT is expected to grow from USD 2 billion in
2013 to over USD 10 billion in 2019. 84 ICT-related products using nanotechnology are commercially
available on the market. Nanotechnology occurs mostly in components including data storage but
also strongly in materials such as electrostatic dissipative coatings.
The strongest companies in nanotechnology and ICT in projects are STMicroelectronics, Philips and
Infineon; and in publications they are IBM, Samsung and NTT. In EPO patents, companies from the
US and Korea lead while European company Infineon Technologies (DE, AT) appears in fourth place
and is joined by Philips (NL, DE), both strong FP project performers.

491
Also ERA-NET plus
492
Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum, http://www2.imec.be/be_en/about-imec.html
493
http://inl.int/
494
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
495
Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives

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ANNEXES

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ANNEX 1: METHODOLOGIES FOR LANDSCAPE COMPILATION

REPORTS
The outline of this report is as follows:
• Introduction;
• Development of keywords;
• Methodology by task and sector: projects, publications, patents and products;
• Methodology for additional information: markets, wider economic data, environmental health
and safety, regulation and standards; and
• Concluding remarks.

A Introduction
This paper outlines the main methodologies used in the NanoData project.
The data were in large part identified using keywords to search existing databases (e.g. for
publications and patents) and to select projects (from eCorda) and products (e.g. from product
databases). The report explains how the keywords were identified and what quality control measures
were put in place.
It should be noted that eight sectors were included in the work – construction, energy, environment
health, ICT, photonics, manufacturing and transport. Thus, the data are not comprehensive across
all of nanotechnology. They are, instead, representative of the sectors selected within the context
of the overall project for the European Commission.

B Development of keywords
The keywords were identified from known data sources, web searches and expert input. They were
validated through discussions with consortium members496 (where they had expertise and
experience in the area concerned) and other experts. Following that validation process, the keywords
were also tested by one or both of the following methods:
• The word ‘nano’ and the keywords were used to select the FP projects relevant to the sector
(and sub-sectors if appropriate). The projects identified were checked manually for false
positives. False negatives were also identified (projects that were expected to be selected that
were not). The keywords were refined to optimise the number of projects correctly selected.
• The keywords were used to select publications. The lists of publications were checked, in part
manually and in part semi-automatically using the CWTS VOSViewer bibliometric mapping tool
(http://www.vosviewer.com/Home). Using the tool, it was possible to see how terms group
together in publication space (by their proximity on a VOSViewer map) and how often they occur
(by their size on the VOSViewer map). Thus, it was possible to determine which terms would be
the most significant in the sector and also which terms would be likely to cause false positives.
For example, in the partial map for nanotechnology and health below (bottom left corner) it can
be seen that a very important term is ‘scaffold’, and related terms are about tissue and bone
engineering. Moving further to the right, the related term ‘biocompatibility’ is seen and nearby
the significant and related but more generic terms ‘surface’, ‘morphology’ and ‘synthesis’.

496
Partners of the Joint Institute for Innovation Policy for this project i.e. CWTS, Frost & Sullivan,
Joanneum Research, Oakdene Hollins, the Nanotechnology Industries Association, Tecnalia and TNO.

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Figure A: Partial VOSViewer map for nanotechnology and health

Additional terms could also be identified for inclusion in the keyword list.
It should be noted that, where the use of a keyword could lead to false results, the keyword was
omitted. This inevitably leads to some data of relevance being omitted from the resource base of
the project, the alternative being the inclusion of much irrelevant information. For example, some
words (e.g. photodetector, laser, photolithography) were omitted from the keywords for photonics
as they have much wider applications that photonics alone.
In the searches, keywords were truncated to maximise the possible results. For example, in energy,
“thermoelectric*” could identify data related to “thermoelectric”, “thermoelectrics”,
“thermoelectrical” and “thermoelectricity”, the * indicating the truncation.
Where possible, both British and American spellings were included (e.g. tumour and tumor) as were
alternative spellings (e.g. orthopaedic and orthopedic).

Methodology by task and sector

C Framework Programme projects

The Framework Programme (FP) project details were provided by the European Commission from
the eCorda database for FP6 and FP7. Abstracts for the FP6 projects were provided separately as
these were not in the original database received. The total number of FP projects in eCorda database
is 35,365 of which 25,238 are FP7 projects and 10,027 FP6 projects. These projects involved 210,177
participations by researchers of which 76,562 are in FP6 and 133,615 in FP7.
The table below presents an overview of the data for FP6 and FP7 according to the variables used in
the NanoData analysis. It also identified the number of missing values per variable. It shows that
the eCorda database is a nearly complete source of FP6 and FP7 project data and participant data
with only relatively few data missing (between 2.4% and 0% of the total for FP6 and FP7 depending
on the variable).

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Table A: Number of actual observations and missing values for each of the eCorda
variables used for the NanoData analysis.

Number of observations
Variable FP6 FP7 Total
Actual Missing Actual Missing Actual Missing % Missing
Project ID 10,027 0 25,238 0 35,265 0 0.0%

Start date 9,966 61 24,906 332 34,872 393 1.1%

End date 9,965 62 24,906 332 34,871 394 1.1%
Duration 10,027 0 25,238 0 35,265 0 0.0%
Number of 10,027 0 25,238 0 35,265 0 0.0%
partners
Specific 10,027 0 25,238 0 35,265 0 0.0%
Programme
Sub- 10,027 0 25,238 0 35,265 0 0.0%
Programme497
Call 9,989 38 25,238 0 35,227 38 0.1%
Instrument 1,0027 0 25,238 0 35,265 0 0.0%
EC contribution 10,027 0 25,238 0 35,265 0 0.0%
Project total cost 9,771 256 25,238 0 35,009 256 0.7%
Project ID 76,562 0 133,615 0 210,177 0 0.0%
Participant ID 76,550 12 133,615 0 210,165 12 0.0%
Participant role 76,562 0 133,615 0 210,177 0 0.0%
Participant legal 76,561 1 133,615 0 210,176 1 0.0%
name
Participant 76,562 0 133,615 0 210,177 0 0.0%
country498
Participant 76,562 0 133,615 0 210,177 0 0.0%
region
Participant 74,271 2,291 133,615 0 207,886 2,291 1.1%
organisation type
EC contribution 71,748 4,814 133,569 46 205,317 4,860 2.4%
per participant
Project cost per 72,960 3,602 133,575 40 206,535 3,642 1.8%
participant

In the eCorda database, the EC contribution per project shows some small differences between the
data presented by project (project database) and the data presented by participant (participant
database). The table below illustrates the differences, both in millions of euros and as shares of the
EC contribution. It can be seen that the difference in EC contribution between the project and
participant data is almost zero in FP7 and small in FP6. However, the differences can become
significant when the data is aggregated.

497
In FP6 these were called Priorities and in FP7 Work Programmes.
498
The report uses ISO 2-digit codes for countries. See http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes

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Table B: Number of projects and EC contribution for the project data and participant data
in eCorda
Number of projects EC contribution Difference Difference
(MEUR) (Project – %
Project Participant Project Participant Participant)
Data Data Data (MEUR)
Data
FP
FP6 10,027 10,027 16,692.320 16,653.860 38.460 0.23%
FP7 25,238 25,238 44,917.330 44,917.200 0.130 0.00%
Total 35,265 35,265 61,609.650 61,571.060 38.600 0.06%
NT
NT-FP6 908 908 1,702.740 1,695.500 7.250 0.43%
NT-FP7 2,636 2,636 4,660.840 4,660.750 0.090 0.00%
Total 3,544 3,544 6,363.580 6,356.250 7.340 0.12%

C1 Classification of projects

C1.1 Classification of nanotechnology projects

In order to identify the baseline set of nanotechnology-related projects for the NanoData work, a
search was made for all FP projects that contained ‘nano’ 499 in the title or abstract of the project.
3,544 projects were selected in this way 500, of which 74% were FP7 projects and 26% were FP6
projects. Comparing the distribution of projects between FP6 and FP7 for nanotechnology and for
the two FPs overall, it is found that the distributions are very similar the latter being 72% in FP7 and
28% in FP6. Nanotechnology projects make up 10% of Framework Programme projects, the share
increasing slightly from FP6 (9.1%) to FP7 (10.4%).
The table below shows the distribution of total FP projects and of nanotechnology projects.

499
The term “nano” could appear as a part of a word (e.g. nanotechnology, nanoscience, nanomaterial,
nanoscale), as a part of compound word separated with hyphen (e.g. nano-science) or as an independent
word “nano”.
500
Unlike the other sectors considered by the project (HT, EN, PH, MF), for ICT additional projects were identified
by use of keywords such as graphene. These were judged to be too important in ICT to be omitted. This did,
however, result in the total number of nanotechnology projects being different for ICT (4,143) and the other
sectors (3,544).

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Table C: Number and share of nanotechnology projects in FP6 and FP7

Total FP7 FP6

FP total Number of FP projects 35,265 25,238 10,027
Share of FP (total) 100% 71.6% 28.4%
Nanotechnology Number of FP projects 3,544 2,636 908
Share of FP 100% 74.4% 25.6%
Share of nanotechnology of total FP 10.0% 10.4% 9.1%

C1.2 Classification of projects by sector and sub-sector

The 3,544 projects relevant to nanotechnology were subjected to a search using the sector keywords
to identify projects relevant to each sector. This search was undertaken using the keywords identified
for each sector. The project details for the selected projects were reviewed manually, where possible,
as a further check of the quality of the outputs of the keyword search process.
For example, using the method described above, 944 projects were categorised as being related to
nanotechnology and health, approximately 27% of total nanotechnology projects. Using the
keywords identified for each of the five health sub-sectors501, a further classification could be made.
In addition, nanotechnology projects relevant to health but not specifically to any of the five sub-
sectors were categorised as Other. In this way, the breakdown of health nanotechnology projects
was found to be: cancer 26% (CT); infectious diseases 7.8% (ID); cardiovascular diseases 5.2%
(CV); neurodegenerative diseases 4.6% (ND); and diabetes (2.2%) (DB) with Other being 62%
(OTH).
Where projects were classified as belonging to more than one sub-sector, a proportion of each such
project was allocated to the sub-sector concerned. Thus a project relevant to cardiovascular disease
and cancer would be allocated 50% to cardiovascular disease and 50% to cancer. The aim was to
ensure an accurate analysis of the FP project data and to minimise double counting. The table that
follows shows the number of project overlaps and the distributions of fractions of projects for the
health sub-sectors.

501
Cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Table D: Distribution of projects with overlaps across health sub-sectors

Total CT CV ID NE DB Other
Projects without 883 196 23 48 24 11 581
overlaps
Projects with overlaps: fractions as allocated
CT & ID 17 8.5 8.5
CT & CV 12 6 6
CT & ND 9 4.5 4.5
CV & ID 5 2.5 2.5
CV & ND 4 2 2
CT & DB 4 2 2
CV & DB 3 1.5 1.5
ND & DB 2 1 1
CT, ID & ND 1 0.33 0.33 0.33
CT, ND & DB 1 0.33 0.33 0.33
CT, CV & ID 1 0.33 0.33 0.33
CT, CV, ID & ND 1 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
ID & ND 1 0.5 0.5
Sum of fractions 61 22 13 12 9 5 0
Total 944 218 36 60 33 16 581
nanotechnology
and health

C2 Harmonisation of data across FP6 and FP7

In order to have harmonised variables across both Framework Programmes, some names and coding
of variables were required. These included the following:
i) Harmonising the participant types. The categories used in this report are presented in the table
below. In the tables of top performers, if the same organisation appeared in FP6 and FP7, the
FP7 code was used.

Table E: Harmonising participant type codes

Codes used Description FP6 Code FP7 Code
HES Higher or secondary education HES HES
establishment
REC Research organisations REC REC
PRC Private commercial (excluding SMEs) IND PRC
SME Small and medium-sized enterprises SME SME
OTH Other including public bodies excluding OTH OTH, PUB
research and education

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ii) Introducing a classification of instruments in order to allow enhanced comparison between the
varieties of instruments. The categorisation follows that of Arnold et. al (2012)502.

Table F: Classification of instruments

Action Instrument FP

Research ERC Grants FP7

actions
Collaborative Integrated Projects FP6
RTD actions
Specific Targeted Research Projects FP6
Large-scale Integrating Project FP7
Small or medium-scale focused research project FP7
Integrating Activities / e-Infrastructures FP7
Collaborative project (generic) FP7
Actions for Specific Actions to Promote Research Infrastructures FP6
RTD
Marie Curie Actions FP6
knowledge
transfer Coordination Actions FP6
Network of Excellence FP6
Coordinating Action FP7
Marie Curie Actions FP7
Research Infrastructure FP7
Collaborative project dedicated to international FP7
cooperation partner countries (SICA)
Actions for Co-operative Research Projects FP6
adoption and
Collective Research Projects FP6
innovation
Joint Technology Initiatives FP7
Research for SMEs FP7
Actions to Specific Support Actions FP6
support
Supporting Action FP7
policymaking

iii) Participant organisations identifiers

For the FP6 and FP7 participants the following organisation identifiers were used:
• FP7: CD_ORG_ID and
• FP6: Participant Identifying Code-PIC.
If these were not available, the programme participant identifiers were used. In order to improve
the comparability of the FP6 and FP7 participant identifiers, some manual matching based on
organisation legal name and address data was conducted for the NT participant sample. As a result,
5,945 unique nanotechnology participants were identified.

502
In their work Arnold et. al. (2012) Understanding the Long Term Impact of the Framework Programme
classifies the instruments of FP4, FP5 and FP6 into four categories that are used as guidance for our
classification. For FP7 the classification is done by authors of this report.

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C3 Treatment of decimals

As a general rule, the data in the tables and figures are produced by utilising the method of first
summing the unrounded figures and then rounding the sum. Due to this process, some totals may
not correspond with the sum of the separate figures (generally presented as limited to one decimal).

C4 Key terminology and abbreviations used

Table G: FP6 funding instrument types

Code FP6 Type of instrument

STREP Specific Targeted Research Projects
CA Coordination Actions
SSA Specific Support Actions
II Specific Actions to Promote Research Infrastructures
IP Integrated Projects
NOE Networks of Excellence
MCA Marie Curie Actions
CRAFT Co-operative Research Projects
CLR Collective Research Projects
I3 Specific Actions to Promote Research Infrastructures

Table H: FP7 funding instrument types

Code FP7 Type of instrument

CP Collaborative project
ERC Support for frontier research (European Research Council)
MC Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie
Curie)
JTI/169 Activities under Article 169 or 171 European Treaty, Joint Technology
Initiatives, Public Private Partnerships
CSA Coordination and support action
BSG Research for the benefit of specific groups
NOE Network of Excellence

Table I: Organisation types

Code Description
HES Higher or secondary education est.
PCO Private companies excluding SMEs
REC Research organisations
SME Small and medium-sized enterprises
OTH Other (incl. public bodies and bodies
with unknown organisation types)

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Table J: Country codes EU28+503.

NUTS0 Country NUTS0 Country

AT Austria LU Luxembourg
BE Belgium LV Latvia
BG Bulgaria MT Malta
CY Cyprus NL Netherlands
CZ Czech Republic PL Poland
DE Germany PT Portugal
DK Denmark RO Romania
EE Estonia SE Sweden
ES Spain SI Slovenia
FI Finland SK Slovakia
FR France UK504 United Kingdom
EL 505
Greece CH Switzerland
HU Hungary IL Israel
HR Croatia IS Iceland
IE Ireland TR Turkey
IT Italy NO Norway
LT Lithuania ZK Macedonia

D Publications

Identification of publications relied on analysis of the data in the database at CWTS (the Centre for
Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, the Netherlands), data that is based on that in
the Web of Science506.
The CWTS database is organised and structured such that it allows (dynamic) field delineation and
the collection of relevant publications. Hence it was possible to identify nanoscience and
nanotechnology (NST) publications and, within those, to identify publications relevant to the sectors.
More specifically, publications were sought within the NST group using the keywords. In addition,
using the tools available at CWTS, related publications could be identified and included in the output.
Data available from the resource at CWTS included the journals in which the publications are found,
the date of publication and the doi (digital object identifier). For licensing reasons, some of the data
in the database at Leiden can be accessed by external parties only in aggregate form. For example,
personal details of individual researchers cannot be accessed (e.g. address, email, phone number).
The report uses ISO 2-digit codes for countries. See http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes

503
Data was also analysed from countries outside of the EU28 namely Iceland (IS), Israel (IL), Norway (NO),
Switzerland (CH) and Turkey (TR).
504
GB is also used
505
GR is also used
506
http://thomsonreuters.com/en/products-services/scholarly-scientific-research/scholarly-search-and-
discovery/web-of-science.html

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E Patents

The patents analysed were collected from the database PATSTAT. That database includes patents
from over 30 patent offices e.g. the European Patent Office, the US Patent Office and the Japanese
Patent Office.
All patent offices worldwide tag nanotechnology-related patent applications using a special symbol
of the International Patent Classification (IPC), namely B82Y. This special symbol is also part of the
CPC (Co-operative Patent Classification). The core dataset of nano-related patents were selected
using this special symbol (B82Y) from both the IPC and the CPC classifications.
All patent applications at the USPTO, the EPO and PCT (WIPO) classified as B82Y were identified in
PATSTAT as well as the (simple) patent family to which they belong. From all these patent families,
only patent applications at the USPTO, the EPO and PCT (WIPO) were collected. Such use of multiple
patent offices helps to diminish the bias that might be caused by the so called ‘home advantage’
effect, i.e. the propensity of nationals to file the first patent application in their own country. By
analysing across these three patent authorities a less biased overview of nanotechnology patents
worldwide can be obtained.
As the patent information is being collected from more than one patent authority, and given that
the same invention might be protected in more than one of these patents authorities, the (simple)
patent families are used to avoid multiple counting of the same invention.
The identification of patents by sector from amongst the nanotechnology patents was based in most
cases on the combination of two strategies. First, all patents including in their title and/or abstract
at least one relevant keywords for a particular sector were retrieved. Second, to ensure that the
patents retrieved in the first step are truly related to the sector, a number of representative IPC
symbols of the sector were selected from PATSTAT507. For example, for the nanotechnology patents
related to the health sector, the IPC symbols related to ‘Pharmaceuticals’ and ‘Medical technology’
were used. However, it was not possible to undertake this second step for all sectors as for some
(e.g. manufacturing) there were no appropriate IPC symbols.
Organisations and/or individuals are listed in patent applications, these being applicants and/or
inventors. This information is used in the identification of companies, universities and other research
organisations active in patenting. The year of reference used is the year when the oldest priority of
each patent family was applied (the closest date to the invention). The report uses ISO 2-digit
codes508 for countries.

F Products

Products were identified primarily through keyword, sector and sub-sector searches of reports and
databases. This search strategy was based on a triangulation approach making use of
complementing perspectives. For all perspectives the NanoData team made use of the sector specific
lists of key words.
The first step was to use peer-reviewed and grey literature on products in the different sectors509 as
well as existing market reports510. The market reports were used to identify where nanotechnology
is being applied already in products as there are many reports that appear to identify products but
no product is for sale at a commercial level, being at the research stage or for very limited supply
e.g. to the research community or for test purposes. These investigations were then complemented
by querying web-based databases on nanotechnology products such as AZONANO511, Nanowerk512,

507
PATSTAT also contains a table mapping 44 industrial sectors and the IPC classification. The linkage between
technology areas and industrial sector is described in Schmoch et al (2003), “Linking Technology
Areas to Industrial Sectors”, final report to the European Commission, DG Research.
508
http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes
509
E.g. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine 9 (2013) 1–14, Hessen Nanotech (2008)
Applications of Nanotechnologies in the Energy Sector.
510
See BCC Research www.bbcresearch.com
511
http://www.azonano.com/
512
http://www.nanowerk.com/

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the consumer products inventory of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies513, the product
database of understandingnano.com514, the Nanoinformationsportal of the Österreichische Agentur
für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH515, the Danish Inventory of Nanoproducts516 and the
nanowatch.de database517. Further sector-specific databases, such as the German database for
medical practitioners and the database on European public assessment reports of the European
Medicines Agency518, were used for the identification and classification of nanotechnology related
products in health, for example.
By querying databases on existing innovation policy projects, initiatives and industry platforms such
as NANORA519, the Nano-Map of the German Federal Ministry of Research520, the database on
photonic companies compiled by EPIC, the members directory of SEMI 521, and the Nano-Bio
Manufacturing Consortium (USA)522, additional enterprises active in nanotechnology sectors were
identified.
A third perspective on products was developed by gathering additional information about the
products from company websites identified in previous work, commercial databases and open
sources of information on the web. The information was verified through additional searches (e.g.
of product data sheets and company websites).
The information in the database was extensively verified. Where, for example, it was found that a
product was identified but not verified, searches were made of sources including reports and
company websites to check the information. Contact was also made, in some cases, directly with
the company in order to ratify the existence on the market of the product. While some other
databases actually state the level of known accuracy of their information (e.g. the entries in the
Woodrow Wilson database are classified using a system that has categories from level 1 (extensively
verified claim) to level 5 (not advertised by manufacturer – claims made only by third party)) others
are not specific.
In NanoData, the aim is only to include products that can be verified.

G Other information

Several types of information are provided on the NanoData site as fixed text where data is limited
or one-off. These include information on markets and wider economic data, as well as reports on
environmental health and safety and information about regulation and standards.

Markets
The market data is based on available sources of information and sources of Frost & Sullivan and
BCC Research, who gather their information through discussions with practitioners (e.g. company
representatives) and open sources (e.g. commercial reports, web sites). The aim was to track,
evaluate and measure the activities of major industry participants in the nanotechnology arena,
looking at markets and usage of nanotechnology. The activities included the definition and
specification of nano-materials and nano-enabled products, identification of current and upcoming
products and applications, accumulating qualitative and quantitative data, identification and
mapping of EU participants and last but not the least, identification and analysis of target markets.
A wide set of definitions, categorisations, data collection and forecasting methods were available.
Data gathering was driven by experienced analysts and based on a data-rich portfolio of previous
EU and OECD projects as well as on internal Frost & Sullivan databases and consortium members,

513
http://www.nanotechproject.org/cpi/
514
http://www.understandingnano.com/nanotechnology-product-suppliers.html
515
http://nanoinformation.at/produkte.html
516
http://nanodb.dk/
517
http://www.bund.net/nc/themen_und_projekte/nanotechnologie/nanoproduktdatenbank/
518
http://www.ema.europa.eu/
519
http://www.nanora.eu/
520
http://www.werkstofftechnologien.de/en/
521
http://www.semi.org/en/Membership/MemberDirectory/
522
http://www.nbmc.org/members-only/

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and public database. European Patent Office523, PRODCOM524 and patentlens525 databases could be
used to provide in-depth information about a particular technology and to identify the key industry
participants dominating the sector. Analysis of key value chains was undertaken and corroborated
with other work-streams. The information thus acquired would be verified with the help of an array
of primary interviews with leading technology researchers, industry experts and other active
stakeholders.
The range of primary and secondary research processes would be followed by the application of
innovation diffusion tools in order to forecast probable market scenario of the future. This would also
include estimating the shape of the diffusion curve and prediction of market development of nano-
enabled products.

Wider economic data

External information sources such as Eurostat, OECD and WHO data sources were used to put the
nanotechnology data obtained in the project into context.
For example:
• A brief overview of the energy industry was based on Eurostat data.
• The health industry overview was based on Eurostat data supplemented by reports from industry
organisations (both technical (e.g. the industry association for European pharmaceutical
enterprises) and financial (e.g. the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association))
While reports on industry as a whole were available, there were found to be very few reliable reports
on nanotechnology and industry. Nanotechnology databases were also explored (e.g. those of
Nanowerk and Nanora).

Environmental health and safety

For the sectors in which materials were the main focus, the tool used for the environmental health
and safety evaluation was the “Stoffenmanager Nano” application526. In summary, Stoffenmanager
Nano is a risk-banding tool developed for employers and employees to prioritise health risks
occurring as a result of respiratory exposure to nanoparticles for a broad range of worker scenarios.
In the absence of a comparable tool for consumer exposure, it was also used for this type of
exposure. Stoffenmanager Nano combines the available hazard information of a substance with a
qualitative estimate of potential for inhalation exposure. Stoffenmanager Nano does not consider
dermal and oral routes of exposure.
In Stoffenmanager Nano, the available hazard information is used to assign specific nanoparticles to
one of five hazard bands, labelled A to E (A= low hazard, E= highest hazard). Likewise, exposure
bands are labelled 1-4 (1=low exposure, 4= highest exposure).
The hazard and exposure bands are combined to yield so called priority bands ranging from low
priority (=4) to high priority (=1). A high priority implies that it is urgent to apply exposure control
measures or to assess the risks more precisely, and a low priority implies that it is not very urgent
to apply exposure control measures or to establish the risk involved with more precision.
See also Annex: Human health and safety.

Regulation and standards

International, European, national and regional data sources for regulation and standards include:

European documents:
• Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
(REACH) - 1907/2006(EC);
• Regulation on Medical Devices - 2012/0266(COD); and

523
https://www.epo.org/searching.html
524
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/prodcom
525
https://www.lens.org/lens/search?n=10&q=nanotechnology&p=0
526
Van Duuren-Stuurman, B., Vink, S., Verbist, K.J.M., Heussen, H.G.A., Brouwer, D., Kroese, D.E.D., Van Niftrik,
M.F.J., Tielemans, E., Fransman, W., 2012. Stoffenmanager Nano version 1.0: a web-based tool for risk
prioritisation of airborne manufactured nano objects. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 56, 525-541.

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• European Commission Recommendation on the Definition of a Nanomaterial, as well as sectoral

documents such as
• Nanomaterials in the Healthcare Sector: Occupational Risks & Prevention - E-fact 73; and
• Guidance on the Determination of Potential Health Effects of Nanomaterials Used in Medical
Device.

National documents:
• Decree on the annual declaration on substances at nano-scale - 2012-232 (France);
• Royal Decree regarding the Placement on the Market of Substances manufactured at the Nano-
scale (Belgium); and
• Order on a Register of Mixtures and Articles that contain Nanomaterials as well as the
Requirement for Manufacturers and Importers to report to the Register – BEK nr 644 (Denmark).

H Concluding remarks
This Annex outlines the main methods for the selection of data for analysis, some data sources, the
aggregation of data classes in order to enable analysis (mainly for the FP projects) and the ways in
which data was analysed. References are made to some of the main quality control issues.

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ANNEX 2: ICT KEYWORDS

Below is the list of keywords used in the extraction of data and the subsequent analyses.

Asterisks are used to indicate that part of a word is missing. For example, the search for “bio-
comput*” would identify data related to “bio-computing” and “bio-computer”. Thus one search term
was used to cover each of the words with multiple possible endings. In addition, multiple spellings
were included, not all of which are shown here (e.g. US spelling of aluminium (aluminium) and
hyphenated words including MOS-FET, nano-ICT).

3-d integration
3-d stacking
Aluminium arsenide
Aluminum arsenide
Antimonide
Avalanche diode
Biocomput*
Bio-comput*
Black phosphorous
Black phosphorus
CBRAM
CMOS
CNTFET*
CNT-FET*
Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor*
Conductive bridging RAM
DNA comput*
DRAM
Dynamic random-access memor*
Electro-conductive coatings
Electronic* shield*
Electro-optical
Electrostatic discharge prevention
Electrostatic discharge protection
Electrostatic dissipative applications
Electrostatic Shield*
ESD
FDSOI
FET* Field effect transistor*
Fin FET
Floating gate memor*
Fluxtronic*
Gallium nitride electronic*
Gallium phosphide
Gate oxide*
Giant magnetoresistance
Giant magneto-resistance
GMR
GOI Germanium-on-insulator
Graphene
III-V
Indium gallium arsenide
Integrated circuit*
Interconnect
Low K dielectric coating*
Magnetic memor*
Magnetic tunnel junction*
Magnetoresistive RAM

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Magnetoresistive random-access memor*

Memristor*
MEMS
Metal dichalcogenide*
Metal–oxide–semiconductor FET
Metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor
Microelectromechanical system*
Micro-electromechanical system*
Micro-electro-mechanical system*
Molecular electronic*
Molybdenum disulfide*
Molybdenum disulphide*
Molybdenum selenide*
Molybdenum telluride*
MOS FET
MOS field-effect transistor
MoS2
MoSe2
MOSFET
MoTe2
MRAM
MX2
Nano optomechanic*
Nanobiocomput*
Nano-biocomput*
Nanocomputer*
Nano-computer*
Nanocomputing
Nano-computing
Nanoelectromechanical system*
Nano-electronic memor*
Nanoelectronic*
NanoICT
Nano-ICT
Nanointerconnect*
Nano-interconnect*
Nanomechanical system*
Nano-mechanical system*
Nanooptomechanical system*
Nanophotonic*
Nanoresonator*
nano-resonator*
Nanoribbon heterojunction*
Nanowire electronic*
Nanowire MOS-FET
NEM*
NEMS
Network on chip
Network-on-chip
Neuromemristive
Neuromorphic
Neuro-morphic
NOMS
OFET*
OLED
Optical interconnect*
Organic FET*
Organic field effect transistor*
Organic LED
Organic light-emitting diode
Organic-FET*

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Photonic crystal cavit*

PMC*
Programmable metallisation cell*
Quantum comput*
Quantum encryption
Quantum technolog*
Resistive RAM
RRAM
Self-sustaining diode*
Self-switching diode*
Semiconductor nano-device
Silicene
Silicon carbide electronic*
SOI Silicon-on-insulator
Spin torque
Spin transistor
Spin transport electronic*
Spin valve
Spin wave
Spinelectronic*
Spin-electronic*
Spintronic*
Spin-wave
SRAM
Stananine
STT MRAM
STT RAM
TMDC
Topological insulator*
Tungsten (IV) sulfide*
Tungsten (IV) sulphide*
Tungsten selenide*
Tungsten sulfide*
Tungsten sulphide*
Tunnel FET
Valleytronic*
Valley-tronic*
WS2
WSe2
WSe2
Zinc sulfide
Zinc sulphide
ZnS2

Notes:
1. The word ‘graphene’ had to be omitted from the search for publications as it resulted in many
false positives.
2. The words electro-optical, graphene, III-V, iii-v, MoS2, MoSe2, nanoresonator*, nano-
resonator*, PMC*, nanomechanical system* and nano-mechanical system* had to be omitted
from the search for patents as they resulted in many false positives.

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ANNEX 3: ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviation Definition
BEUC Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs
CAGR Compound Annual Growth Rate
CBRAM Conductive Bridge Random Access Memory
CBRNE Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive
CEN European Standardisation Committee
CMC Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls
CMOS Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor
CNT Carbon Nanotubes
COD Co-decision Procedure
DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
d-MRI Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
DRAM Dynamic Random-Access Memory
EC European Commission
EEB European Environmental Bureau
EFSA European Food Safety Authority
EGE European Group on Ethics Roundtables
EoL End of Life
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
EPR Enhanced Permeation and Retention
ESD Electrostatic Discharge
ETUC European Trade Union Confederation
EU European Union
Eurofound European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
FDSOI Fully-depleted Silicon on Insulator
FET Field Effect Transistor
f-MRI Functional Magnetic Resonance
FP7 Seventh European Framework Programme
GMR Giant Magnetoresistance
GOI Germanium-on-insulator
ICT Information and Communication Technologies
IPC International Patent Classification
IPR Intellectual Property Rights
ISO International Organisation for Standardisation
JRC Joint Research Centre
MAPP Manual of Policies and Procedures
MEMS Micro-electromechanical System
MNBS Micro- and Nano-Bio Systems
MOSFET Metal Oxide Semiconductor field-effect transistor
MR Magnetic Resonance
MRAM Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory
MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
MRS (MRSI) Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (imaging)

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Abbreviation Definition
MWCNT Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes
MX2 Metal Dichalcogenides
NACE Nomenclature Statistique des Activites Economiques dans la Communauté
Européenne
NEMS Nano-Electromechanical System
NGO Non-Governmental Organisation
NIR Near Infrared
NIR-II Near-Infrared-ii Imaging
NOC Network on Chip
NOMS Nano-Optomechanical System
NP Nanoparticles
NST Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
NT Nanotechnology
OFET* Organic Field Effect Transistor
OLED Organic Light-Emitting Diode
OSHA European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
OSH-professional Occupational Safety and Health Professional
PATSTAT European Patent Office Worldwide Patent Statistical Database
PMC Programmable Metallisation Cell
ppm Parts Per Million
QD Quantum Dot
R&D Research and Development
REACH Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
RRAM Resistive RAM
SME Small or Medium Sized Enterprise
SNAP Strategic Nanotechnology Action Plan
SOI Silicon-On-Insulator
SRAM Static Random Access Memory
STOA Science and Technology Options Assessment
STT MRAM Spin Transfer Torque Magneto-Resistive Random Access Memory
STT RAM Spin Transfer Torque Random Access Memory
SWCNT Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes
TMDC Transition Metal Dichalcogenide
TT Technology Transfer
US United States
US EPA US Environmental Protection Agency
US NIOSH US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
USA United States of America
UV/Vis/IR Ultraviolet / Visible / Infra-red
VC Venture Capital
WEEE Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

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ANNEX 4: TERMINOLOGY

Word/phrase Definition/explanation
Carbon Nanotubes Allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure.
Dendrimers Nanostructured synthetic molecules having evenly spread branching
structure originating out of a central core.
Liposomes An artificially-prepared vesicle composed of a lipid bilayer
Nanobiosensors Biosensor at nano-scale: measurement system for detection of an analyte
that combines a biological component with a physiochemical detector
Nano-biotechnology Intersection of nanotechnology and biology, the ways that nanotechnology
is used to create devices to study biological systems, this is different from
bionanotechnology
Nanocapsule Nano-scale shells made of non-toxic polymer
Nanocarrier Nano-object or objects, which are at a larger scale but which carry
nanoscale payloads able to transport a diagnostic or therapeutic agent
either on its surface, within its bulk structure or within an internal cavity
Nano-coatings Applying a coating of nano-scale structures to a surface.
Nanocrystal Nano-object with a crystalline structure
Nanodiagnostics Application of nanotechnology in molecular diagnostics
Nanoemulsion Nanodispersion with a liquid matrix and at least one or more liquid nano-
objects
Nano-enabled Products, systems, devices integrating, using, enabled by nanotechnology
Nano-fibres Nano-object with two external dimensions in the nanoscale and the third
dimension significantly larger
Nano-indentation Variety of indentation hardness tests applied to small volumes. For testing
the mechanical properties of materials (hardness).
Nanomaterials Materials the single units of which is sized (in at least one dimension)
between 1 and 1000 nanometres (10^−9 meter) but is usually 1—100 nm
(the usual definition of nano-scale).
Nanomedicine Medical application of nanotechnology
Nanometres One billionth of a metre
Nano-needles Conical or tubular needles in the nanometre size range, made from silicon
or boron-nitride with a central bore of sufficient size to allow the passage
of large molecules
Nanoparticle Small object that behaves as a whole unit with respect to its transport and
properties, between 1 and 100 nanometres in size.
Nanopolymers Nanostructured polymers
Nanoproducts Any product containing nanoparticles
Nanorod One morphology of nano-scale objects, produced by direct chemical
synthesis.
Nano-scale Refers to structures with a length scale applicable to nanotechnology,
usually cited as 1–100 nanometres, also called nanoscopic scale
Nanoscience The study of the fundamental and functional properties of matter on the
nano-scale.
Nanosensor Any biological, chemical, or surgical sensory points used to convey
(proteomic, gold) information about nanoparticles to the macroscopic world
Nanoshells (plasmon) This is also called nanoshell plasmon, is a type of spherical nanoparticle
consisting of a dielectric core, which is covered by a thin metallic shell
(usually gold).

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Word/phrase Definition/explanation
Nano-specific Refers to a system or response that is sensitive to nanomaterials
Nanostructures An object of intermediate size between microscopic and molecular
structures
Nanosuspensions Submicron colloidal dispersions of nanosized drug particles stabilised by
surfactants. Nanosuspensions consist of the poorly water-soluble drug
without any matrix material suspended in dispersion
Nanotechnologies / Manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100
Nanotechnology nanometres
Nanotechnology-Based Suite of technologies using nanomaterials, structures and objects
Platforms
Nanotube Hollow nano-fibre
Quantum Dots A nanocrystal made of semiconductor materials that are small enough to
exhibit quantum mechanical properties

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ANNEX 5: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON MEMBER STATE

POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES
In addition to actions at the level of the whole of the European Union, many countries have developed
strategies and action plans and funded programmes and projects. Some of these are identified and
outlined below, by country.
The aim in this section is to give a flavour for the policies and programmes that are or have been in
place for nanotechnology at Member State level, in the wider context of national strategies for
science, technology, research and development. As it focusses on targeted initiatives for
nanotechnology, not all EU28 countries are included.
This section has been prepared from existing data sources (e.g. Member State government and
agency reports and web sites, European Commission sources (such as ERAWATCH/RIO527),
evaluation reports). While efforts have been made to use the most up-to-date sources, it cannot be
guaranteed that all information is current.

AUSTRIA
In Austria, the two main ministries involved in the funding of research and development (R&D) are
the Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF)528 and the Federal Ministry for Transport,
Innovation and Technology (BMVIT)529. The largest share of direct support for R&D is channelled
through three funding agencies: The Austrian Science Fund (FWF)530 that focuses on funding
academic research; the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)531 specialising in funding applied
industrial research and the co-operation between the higher educational sector and industry; and
the Austria Economic Service (AWS)532 that is mainly active in support programmes for SMEs.
In 2004, the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology launched the “Austrian NANO
Initiative” and in 2010, the “Austrian Nanotechnology Action Plan”533 was adopted by the
Federal Government. The NANO initiative was a response to regional activities in the Austrian
Bundesländer (such as NanoNet Styria [for more information, see later in this Annex]) that sought
to identify existing competences and to formulate potential themes for large-scale co-operative
projects.
An important motivation in the establishment of such a national research programme was the
expectation that its creation would strengthen the national research community in specific fields
thereby better linking them to international communities. At that time, most Austrian peer countries
(Germany, Switzerland, UK, and Finland), as well as the European Framework Programmes, were
using the label nanotechnology for framing focused research programmes.
The NANO initiative aimed to address the following issues: What would be the best way for Austria
to harness the opportunities in nanotechnology (for instance, in environmental and energy
technology and new resource-saving products or for small- or medium-sized enterprises)? How could
Austria contribute to ensuring the safety for its citizens of nanotechnology applications?
NANO had the following objectives: to increase networking among actors to achieve critical mass;
to open up ways to exploit the benefits of nanotechnology for industry and society; and to ensure
proper support for qualified personnel. To achieve these objectives, it had two programme action
lines:
1. National co-operative RTD Projects (Research and Technology Development in Project
Clusters (RPCs) and
2. Transnational co-operative RTD Projects (Research and Technology Development in
Transnational Projects).

527
https://rio.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
528
http://www.en.bmwfw.gv.at/
529
https://www.bmvit.gv.at/en/
530
https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/
531
https://www.ffg.at/en
532
http://www.awsg.at/
533
https://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/dam/jcr:00058164-0320-4544-b6a4-
320325dcfd86/Austrian%20Nanotechnology%20Action%20Plan.pdf

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A key aspect of the Nanotechnology Action Plan to implement the NANO initiative was to
strengthen communication and the dissemination of information to specific target groups,
particularly the interested public. Information on the fundamentals, opportunities and risks of
nanotechnology was provided to the public through an information portal for nanotechnology. A
primary objective was to engage the public in the process of drawing up and implementing a
Nanotechnology Action Plan534, which underwent public consultation via the Internet in Autumn
2009, as did the Implementation Report in November 2012. The feedback received was published
online and taken into account in the follow up to the Action Plan and Implementation Plan
respectively.
One of the central measures of the Austrian Nanotechnology Action Plan was the establishment of a
programme for the environment, health and safety (EHS). NANO EHS was established to provide
targeted funding for environment- and health-related research into assessing the risks of synthetic
nanomaterials.
NANO was implemented from 2004 to 2011 by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)535
and, in total, nine large-scale co-operative projects were funded across a wide array of sectors such
as photonics, nanomedicine, and nanomaterials. Since 2012, support for nanotechnology R&D has
been provided through the thematic programmes of FFG.
In addition to the above governmental actions, an Austrian network was created, BioNanoNet536,
combining a wide range of expertise in numerous disciplines of medical and pharmaceutical research
in nanomedicine and nanotoxicology. The BioNanoNet Association is also the owner of BioNanoNet
Forschungs GmbH. Working across both biotechnology and nanotechnology, and visible at
international levels, BioNanoNet addresses the scientific areas of:
• Nanotoxicology,
• Sensor technology
• Health and safety, including (nano-) medicine and nanosafety.
The BioNanoNet coordinates EURO-NanoTOX537, which is an open virtual centre and national
platform. EURO-NanoTOX is co-funded by the Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF). It
elaborates strategies to conduct standardised toxicological in-vitro as well as in-vivo methods on
nanostructured materials. Its main focus is on human nanotoxicology and human risk assessment.
Regional Nanotechnology initiatives:
Wirtschaftsstrategie Steiermark 2020 (2011) 538: Styria's Economic Strategy 2020 is a
successor to the State Government's previous economic strategy 2006. The 2006 strategy identified
so-called economic and technological strong-points (“Stärkefelder”) of the region, on which
innovation policy activities were focused: material sciences; mechanical engineering/automotive and
transport technologies; chemical and process engineering; human technology; information and
communication technologies; environmental technologies; energy; building services engineering
(including timber construction); nanotechnology; computer simulation and mathematical modelling.
The 2011 strategy bundles activities in these fields under three major leading themes: i) mobility,
ii) eco-technology, and iii) health technology. The central aim is to focus on future activities and to
establish Styria as a “European benchmark for the structural change towards a knowledge based
production-society”.

BELGIUM
Since its two regions play a central role in Belgian policy making, the main nanotechnology activity
in the country is carried by the regional government of Flanders, with a number of institutions
working in the area of nanotechnology.

534
http://www.sozialministerium.at/cms/site/attachments/6/1/7/CH2120/CMS1371046721712/umsetzungsb
ericht_2012_en.pdf
535
https://www.ffg.at/en
536
http://www.bionanonet.at/about-bionanonet
537
http://www.bionanonet.at/about-nanotoxicology?lang=english
538
http://www.wirtschaft.steiermark.at/cms/beitrag/10430090/12858597

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Strategische onderzoekscentra539 (SOC's) is a strategy of the Region of Flanders which gives

institutional funding to four Strategic Research Centres that collaborate with the academic and
business worlds. Each of the institutes have their own specific focus.

• Imec540 is a leading European independent research centre in micro- and nanoelectronics,

nanotechnology, design methods and technologies for ICT systems. It carries out research
that runs three to ten years ahead of industrial needs. The world’s top integrated device
manufacturers, equipment and material suppliers, system houses and electronic design
automation (EDA) vendors participate in the research conducted there. Work at Imec has a
strong connection to nanotechnology given its use in electronics and as the next generation
technology for electronics and ICT.
• VIB541, the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, is an autonomous entrepreneurial research
institute that conducts strategic basic research in life sciences, including molecular biology, cell
biology, developmental biology, structural biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology,
genomics and proteomics. It is considered to be a leading European centre. Much of its work is
at the nanoscale.
• VITO542, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research, is an independent contract research
and consulting centre. It converts the latest scientific knowledge and innovative technologies
into practical applications, both for public authorities and industry. The research centre
operates in the fields of energy, environmental and material technology, in industrial product
and process technologies and in remote sensing, with nanotechnology applications.
• iMinds543 is an independent research institute that stimulates innovation in information &
communication technology (ICT) and broadband. This research is interdisciplinary and
demand-driven, and takes place in close collaboration with businesses and governments, both
local and international. Its aim is to provide solutions to complex problems and thus help meet
society’s future challenges.
In 2003, the Regional Government of Wallonia launched a nanotechnology programme to support
research projects in that field which led to the creation of NanoWal544, a structure to favour
interactions between actors in nanotechnology field. Nanowal became a non-profit organisation in
2009.

THE CZECH REPUBLIC

In 2005, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic approved the programme
“Nanotechnology for the Society” with the objective of achieving progress in the development of
research and utilisation of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials within Czech society545. It included
four different sub-programmes in the areas of: nanoparticles, nanofibres and nanocomposite
materials; nanobiology and nanomedicine; nano-macro interface; and new phenomena and
materials for nanoelectronics, with specific priorities in all of them. The programme was planned to
end in 2012.
Other general programmes with a less specific mention to nanotechnology came from the Grant
Agency of the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of
Industry and Trade.
In the National Research, Development and Innovation Policy document of the Czech Republic in
2009-2015546, nanotechnology is addressed under the Materials Research priority, where it is set
as an area to be supported by national budget in order to increase the global competitiveness of the
Czech economy through products with high added-value.

539
http://www.ewi-vlaanderen.be/wat-doet-ewi/excellerend-onderzoek/strategische-onderzoekscentra
540
http://www2.imec.be/be_en/home.html
541
http://www.vib.be/en/Pages/default.aspx
542
https://vito.be/en
543
https://www.iminds.be/en
544
www.nano.be/
545
http://www.csnmt.cz/getfile.php?type=file&IDfile=24
546
http://www.vyzkum.cz/FrontClanek.aspx?idsekce=1020

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DENMARK
In Denmark, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science547 has the main responsibility for research
and innovation policy.
In the period from 2001 to 2004, steering groups set up by the Danish government carried out a
Technology Foresight pilot programme. The aim of the programme was to carry out eight foresight
studies in the three-year period, and to identify issues of strategic importance for science,
technology, education, regulation and innovation policy in these areas. The foresight studies included
bio- and health care technologies, and ICT (pervasive computing, future green technologies, hygiene
and nanotechnology, especially nanomedicine548). The last phase of the foresight programme was
closely linked to the establishment of the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation549 for
the development of generic technologies of future importance such as ICT, biotechnology and
nanotechnology.
The Action Plan “Strategy for Public-Private Partnership on Innovation”, launched in 2003, focused
on how to improve co-operation between education, research and trade/ business. The goal was for
more enterprises, especially SMEs, to have faster and easier access to knowledge. In 2004, the
Ministry of Science, Technology and innovation issued the Technology Foresight on Danish
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology – Action Plan550 as a basis for Danish policy on research,
education and innovation in the area. The vision was to raise awareness of and promote the
utilisation of nanotechnology in Denmark.
In 2003, on foot of the above developments, the Ministry of Science, Technology and innovation
published a call for the establishment of high-tech public-private networks in bio, nano and
information technology. The goal was to create stable collaboration patterns between companies
and knowledge institutions to increase knowledge transfer to, and use in, private industry. The
funding was to be used to finance networking. In the first round (in 2004) the Ministry provided
seven networks with a budget of EUR 3.7 million (around EUR 0.5 million each). Amongst the
networks was NaNet which, (together with Nano Øresund) became one of the two most important
Danish nanotechnology networks. NaNet's mission was to create platforms for the exchange of
information on nanotechnology, and to facilitate its utilisation on all levels of society, from research
and education to industrial application and development.
Between 2005 and 2010, EUR 116 million was allocated to strategic research centres, research
alliances and research projects, EUR 62 million being for nanotechnology, biotechnology and ICT.
Among the strategic research centres funded under the programme is a Centre for Nano-vaccines551.
Since 2009, the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation has channelled funding for
projects in high-tech sectors, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and ICT.
Support for nanotechnology research has been managed through a number of sources. The Danish
Council for Strategic Research, part of the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation is
one of these, although the council itself did not authorise funds for research, dependent instead on
the Programme Commission, which covers Nanoscience, Biotechnology and IT (NABIIT). The
Strategic Research Programme for the Interdisciplinary Applications of NABIIT technologies
supported the establishment of networks and research initiatives. Research support also came from
the Danish National Research Foundation, the Danish Ministry of the Interior and Health’s inter-
ministerial working group on Nanotechnology and Human Health, and the Danish National Advanced
Technology Foundation. Latterly, also under the Danish Council for Strategic Research, the
Programme Commission on Strategic Growth Technologies has had annual calls of total annual value
approximately EUR 10 million for research projects on nanotechnology, biotechnology and
information- and communication technology. In 2013, The Danish government and five political
parties decided to revise the research and innovation system, agreeing to merge the Danish National
Advanced Technology Foundation, the Danish Council for Strategic Research and the Danish Council
for Technology and Innovation into a new innovation foundation. Thus, the new organisation

547
http://ufm.dk/en
548
Danish Nano-science and Nano-technology for 2025, Foresight Brief No. 032
549
http://www.tekno.dk/about-dbt-foundation/?lang=en
550
http://ufm.dk/en/publications/2004/technology-foresight-on-danish-nanoscience-and-nanotechnology
551
http://www.nano-vaccine.org/

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Innovation Fund Denmark552 (IFD), has been the responsible body since 2014.

FINLAND
The main focus areas of public research and development (R&D) funding in Finland are energy and
the environment, health and well-being, the information and communications industry, the forest
cluster, and metal products and mechanical engineering. Nanotechnology is treated as a technology
to be applied across all these focus areas. Finland spends approximately 3.5 % of its gross national
product on (R&D). Exploitation of research results being seen as even more important than the
amount of investment, the Finnish innovation environment seeks to promote the exploitation of
scientific and technological results in Finnish companies.
The main research policy decisions are drawn up in the Science and Technology Policy Council of
Finland chaired by the Prime Minister. The principle instruments in the implementation of the policy
are the funding organisations working under the ministries. Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for
Technology and Innovation operates under the remit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry while the
Academy of Finland is governed by the Ministry of Education. Nearly 80% of all public research
funding is channelled through these two organisations.
The first Finnish nanotechnology programme was financed jointly by Tekes and the Academy
of Finland in 1997–1999553. Its objective was to build know-how, multi-disciplinary infrastructure
and linkages between fundamental and applied research. The programme also established a new
form of co-operation using joint funding between Tekes and the Academy of Finland. The total value
of the programme was EUR 7 million (Tekes EUR 4m, the Academy of Finland EUR 3 m).
FinNano, the Finnish nanoscience and nanotechnology programme, was established in 2005. The
programme was co-ordinated jointly by Tekes and the Academy of Finland and covered the whole
innovation chain from basic research to commercial products. The aim of the programme was to
strengthen Finnish nanotechnology research in selected focus areas and to accelerate the
commercial development of nanotechnology in Finland. The key objective was to boost
internationally recognised high-level research and competitive business based on nanotechnology.
In addition to FinNano, the Ministry of Education provided funding to develop nanoscience education
and infrastructure in Finnish universities and the Nanotechnology Cluster Programme was initiated
in 2007 with the Centre of Expertise Programme. In total, Finnish public funding for nanotechnology
during 2005–2010 was approximately EUR 235m.
In practice, the FinNano programme was executed in two parts: Tekes’ FinNano – Nanotechnology
Programme (2005–2009) and the Academy of Finland’s FinNano – Nanoscience Programme (2006–
2010). The Programme had a total value of approximately EUR 70m, including EUR 25m in research
funding and EUR 20m in corporate financing from Tekes. The original programme plan defined three
main focus areas:
1) Innovative nanostructure materials;
2) Nanosensors and nanoactuators; and
3) New nanoelectronics solutions.
In 2007, the aims of the programme were redefined as being for:
• Society: Renewal of industry clusters and production, environment and safety;
• Applications: Electronics, forest cluster, chemical sector, health and well-being; and
• Technologies: Nanostructured and functional materials, coatings and devices; Measurement
methods, production and scalability.
According to a programme’s interim evaluation in 2008, the main successes of FinNano were to
activate companies in research and product development, to map all the existing nanotechnology
infrastructure and to create cross-cutting networks of nanotechnology professionals.
In 2011, the final report on FinNano was published, showing the results of the Programme554.

552
http://innovationsfonden.dk/en; In 2015, IFD had an annual budget of DKK 1.6 billion, but their budget is
expected to decrease to DKK 1.47 billion in 2016. The total budget for innovation funds areas was over DKK 2
billion in 2010, so a significant loss of funding took place during the last 5 years.
http://innovationsfonden.dk/da/nyhed/innovationsfonden-investerer-ogsaa-i-forskernes-gode-ideer
553
http://www.tekes.fi/globalassets/julkaisut/research_and_technology.pdf
554
http://www.tekes.fi/globalassets/julkaisut/finnano_loppuraportti.pdf

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According to that report and an independent evaluation by Gaia Consulting Ltd., all the Finnish
nanotechnology programmes succeeded and fulfilled their objectives, which ranged from capturing
knowledge in nanoscience and technology to boosting Finnish nano research and business. The next
steps in the development of nanotechnology for industry in Finland were recommended to be
achieved by other means. These included measures to enhance technology transfer, encouragement
of entrepreneurship, and seed funding and basic research funding based on problems and not in
disciplines.
In more recent years, Finland has therefore stopped identifying nanotechnology as a separate area
for funding, opting to fund it under general R&D funding programmes and actions to enhance
technology transfer and commercialisation by industry in Finland.

FRANCE
In 1999, the “French Research Network in Micro and Nano Technologies” (RMNT) was created
for the purpose of strengthening and reorganising micro- and nano research and aligning it with the
private sector.
In 2003, a network of major technology centres was created, linking together the facilities at
the following organisations:

• CEA-LETI555 in Grenoble (centred in Minatec);

• The Laboratoire d’Analyses et d’Architectures des Systemes556 (LAAS) in Toulouse ;
• The Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures557 (LPN) in Marcoussis ;
• The Institut d’Électronique Fondamentale558 (IEF) Orsay, in Minerve; and
• The L'Institut d'Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie 559 (IEMN) in Lille.

The creation of this network was supported by a total subsidy of EUR 100 million for the period 2003
to 2006.
Launched in 2003 to fund fundamental research, France’s national Nanosciences Programme was
co-ordinated by the Ministry of Research in co-operation with the CNRS (National Scientific Research
Centre), the CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission) and the DGA (General Delegation for
Weaponry).
In 2005, the French National Research Agency (ANR) was established to assume responsibility for
the funding and organisation of all national R&D projects, in order to improve co-ordination. Today,
national nano research is funded within the national programme for nanosciences and
nanotechnologies (PNANO560) under the ANR. The budget of the ANR for 2005 was EUR 539m, EUR
35.3m of which was dedicated to PNANO. The ANR has funded research projects in nanosciences
and nanotechnologies mostly through the following research programmes:
• Non-thematic programmes (called “programmes blancs”)
• Nanotechnologies and Nanosystems programmes P2N.
• Additional programmes, which are more specific to a given topic, such as those on hydrogen
storage and fuel cells or on home photovoltaics.
A EUR 35 billion economic stimulus package Investissements d’Avenir561 (Investments for the
Future) was launched at the end of 2009. Within that context and since 2011, nano-bio-technology
has been one of the priority areas for funding under the ANR, with a particular focus on health and
environmental research. The package aims to support scientific research, accelerate its transfer to
a pilot stage and to consolidate knowledge about toxicology and nanomaterials, the programme is
funding therapies, imaging, diagnostics and medical devices base on nanotechnology and
biotechnology.

555
http://www-leti.cea.fr/en/
556
https://www.laas.fr/public/
557
http://www.lpn.cnrs.fr/fr/Commun/
558
http://www.ief.u-psud.fr/
559
http://exploit.iemn.univ-lille1.fr/
560
http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/suivi-bilan/historique-des-appels-a-projets/appel-
detail1/programme-national-en-nanosciences-et-nanotechnologies-pnano-2005/
561
http://www.gouvernement.fr/investissements-d-avenir-cgi

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GERMANY
As far back as 1998, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) increased collaborative
project funding for nanotechnology. In addition, an infrastructure plan was put in place in the form
of the establishment of six competence centre networks. The measures were implemented two years
before the USA began its national nanotechnology initiative and four years before the European
Union’s comparable measures under the Sixth Framework Programme.
In 2004, the German Innovation Initiative for Nanotechnology - “Nanotechnology Conquers
Markets562” was launched and presented to the public. On the basis of the White Paper presented
at the nanoDe congress in 2002 and intensive discussions with representatives from business and
science, the BMBF’s new approach to nanotechnology funding was based on Germany’s highly-
developed and globally competitive basic research in sciences and technology and primarily aimed
to open up the application potential of nanotechnology through research collaborations (leading-
edge innovations) that strategically target the value-added chain. The main elements of the strategy
were to open up potential markets and boost employment prospects in the field of nanotechnology.
Five leading-edge innovation programmes were funded initially:
• NanoMobil, for the automotive sector;
• NanoLux, for the optics industry;
• NanoforLife, for pharmaceuticals and medical technology;
• NanoFab, for electronics; and
• NanoChance, a BMBF funding measure for targeted support of R&D -intensive small and
medium-sized enterprises.
Existing policy actions were re-organised under the umbrella of the High-Tech Strategy563 in 2006.
This was done through the Nano Initiative—Action Plan 2010564, a cross-departmental initiative
by seven departments of the Federal Government that started in 2007 and was headed by the BMBF.
Tying in with BMBF's 2004 Innovation Initiative for Nanotechnology, the action plan aimed to
integrate nanotechnology funding in the various policy fields into a national nanotechnology strategy.
The Action Plan's main goals were (1) to speed up the use of the results of nanotechnological
research for innovations; (2) to introduce nanotechnology to more sectors and companies; (3) to
eliminate obstacles to innovation by means of early consultation in all policy areas; and (4) to enable
an intensive dialogue with the public. The focus was on the opportunities offered by nanotechnology,
but possible risks were also taken into account. The total funding for the years 2007 to 2009 was
EUR 640 million.
In 2011, the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) published the Action Plan
Nanotechnology 2015565, outlining the strategy for responsible development, innovation and
public dialogue for the period 2010-2015. The plan included proposals for developing nanotechnology
in five main areas (climate/energy, health/food and agriculture, mobility, communication and
security). In parallel, a new funding instrument was launched - Innovation Alliances - to provide
funding for strategic co-operation between industry and public research in key technology areas that
demand a large amount of resources and a long time horizon, but promise considerable innovation
and economic impacts. Public funds and funding from the industry is combined in a typical proportion
of 1:5 (public: private). Innovation was supported with special emphasis on SMEs and development
of value chains. Risk assessment was incorporated as well as an improvement of boundary conditions
such as educating the workforce, and addressing issues of legislation, norms and standards. The
public dialogue on nanotechnology was intensified, including information and dialogue with citizens
as well as stakeholders and NGOs.
Innovation alliances were launched as a successor to the leading edge innovation programmes. They
were planned as an instrument of public support to ground-breaking industrial innovation, providing
support funding for strategic co-operation between industry and public research in high-potential
technology areas that require high levels of funding and long lead times. Through a public-private
partnership, the Federal Government provided funding for R&D and other innovation-related

562
http://d-nb.info/97392179x/34
563
http://www.research-in-germany.org/en/research-landscape/r-and-d-policy-framework/high-tech-
strategy.html
564
http://www.cleaner-production.de/fileadmin/assets/pdfs/Nano_initiative_action_plan_2010.pdf
565
http://www.lai.fu-berlin.de/homepages/nitsch/publikationen/Germany_ActionPlanNanotechnology_2015.pdf

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activities for specific, long-term co-operative R&D projects. R&D activities could range from
fundamental research to prototype development. Public funds were complemented by private money
from industry, typically at a proportion of 1:5 (public: private). Each innovation alliance was set up
through an industry initiative, organised as a long-term co-operative research project and involving
several industry partners as well as public research organisations.
An Innovation Alliance that followed this policy approach was on “Molecular Imaging for Medical
Engineering” (nanotechnology) and was formed by Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Boehringer
Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Carl Zeiss AG, Karl Storz & GmbH Co. KG and Siemens AG. The
alliance’s goal was creating new diagnostic agents and imaging procedures for clinics and the
development of pharmaceuticals.
In addition to policies and programmes to support R&D and commercialisation, Germany took action
to address concerns about the environmental and safety costs of the nanotechnology. These are
particularly important to look at when trying to develop and label commercial nanotechnology
products for the market. In response to these issues, governments have increasingly included the
concept of responsible development in their nanotechnology activities. Responsible development
aims to stimulate the growth of nanotechnology applications in diverse sectors of the economy, while
addressing the potential risks and the ethical and societal challenges the technology might raise.
Germany has dedicated policies for the responsible development of nanotechnology. The report
“Responsible Handling of Nanotechnologies” (“Verantwortlicher Umgang mit Nanotechnologien”)
launched by the Nano-Commission of the German Federal Government in December 2010 showed
that the nanotechnology sector is continuing to develop dynamically.
Regional initiatives in Germany that make specific mention of nanotechnology include:
• Innovation Strategy of Nordrhein-Westfalen (2006): This strategy was a government
statement dated 26 June 2006. It presented a short analysis of the importance of innovations
for North Rhine-Westphalia, and in the following elaborated the overall strategy and the
measures employed and purposes targeted. The government strategy aimed to generate new
potential for growth by reinforcing strengths, sharpening profiles, promoting excellence and
pooling forces. Thus, the funding of research and technology was focused on four priority areas
with high potential both related to innovation, employment and growth: (i) nanotechnology,
microtechnology and new materials; (ii) biotechnology; (iii) energy- and environmental
research; and (iv) medical research, medical engineering.
• Cluster Offensive Bayern (2007)566: The Bavarian cluster policy was initialised in 2007 and
focused on 19 branches/technologies with high importance for the future of Bavaria. These
were organised into five fields:
- materials engineering (including nanotechnologies, materials engineering, chemical
industries);
- mobility (including automotive, rail, logistics, aerospace and satellite navigation);
- life sciences and environment (including biotechnology, medical technologies, energy
technologies, environmental technologies, forestry and food);
- IT and electronics (ICT, high-performance electronics, mechatronics and automation); and
- service and media (financial services, media).
After a positive evaluation in 2010, the State Government announced some changes in the future
organisation of the overall initiative: A major change is that the (nonetheless successful) clusters
high-performance electronics, logistics, biotechnology and medical technologies would be
restructured into networks, while future funding would be focused on the other clusters, where
funding so far was most successful in generating additionality.
• Research Strategy of Thuringia (2008): Main objectives of Thuringia's research policy were to
strengthen regional universities and non-university research institutes and regional companies
in their research and development efforts to achieve scientific excellence, to initiate knowledge
and technology transfer as well as innovation. The document described outstanding research
areas of the state and measures to strengthen and relate the regional research landscape to
target fields in the regional economy: micro and nano technologies, microelectronics;
information and communication technologies; media and communication; health research and
medical technology; microbiology and biotechnology; optical technologies, photonics;

566
https://www.cluster-bayern.de/en/

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materials and production technologies; environmental and energy technologies, infrastructure;

and cultural and social change. Main fields of activity of regional research policy were (i) to
support competitiveness, (ii) to strengthen networks, (iii) to support young researchers, and
(iv) to invest in infrastructure.

IRELAND
Following the establishment of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in 2000, public funding was made
available to support many public research initiatives including the Centre for Research on
Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN)567. Since its foundation in 2003, CRANN
has become a research institute of international standing with 17 Principal Investigators (PIs) across
multiple disciplines including physics, chemistry, medicine, engineering and pharmacology, and a
total of 250 researchers. CRANN was funded predominately by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), in
partnership with two universities (Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork) and industry,
and was formed to harness the cross-disciplinary nanoscience research of individual PIs to deliver
world leading research outputs and to enable CRANN researchers to address key industry challenges.
In addition, in December 2009, the Competence Centre in Applied Nanotechnology (CCAN)
was launched. It was an industry-led, collaborative, applied research centre enabling its member
companies and research providers to work together to develop nanotechnology enabled products
and solutions for the ICT and biomedical industries (i.e. diagnostics, drug delivery, and regenerative
medicine). It was co-hosted by CRANN and Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork.
With a growing membership, the founding industry members were Aerogen, Analog Devices, Audit
Diagnostics, Creganna-Tactx, Intel, Medtronic, Proxy Biomedical and Seagate. CCAN ran until mid-
2015.
Ireland has developed its reputation in nanoscience with its researchers recently ranked sixth
globally for the quality of their research. Active collaborations between industry and academia exists
and are beginning to deliver significant economic benefits to Ireland. Three of the largest industries
in Ireland are directly impacted by nanoscience research in perhaps – medical devices,
pharmaceuticals and ICT.
The industry ministry, the Department for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (formerly the Department
of Enterprise, Trade and Employment) plays a pivotal role in industrial innovation policy with its
agencies, Enterprise Ireland (EI) (responsible for supporting Irish companies); Science Foundation
Ireland (SFI) (funding basic and applied research); and IDA Ireland (in charge of overseas inward
investments).
Apart from the establishment of research infrastructures, policy priorities were also being addressed
in the Irish national innovation system. In 2004, the Irish Council for Science, Technology and
Innovation, with its Secretariat provided by Forfás, launched its ICSTI Statement on
Nanotechnology. The Statement assessed Ireland's capabilities in the field of nanotechnology,
mapped out specific areas of opportunity for the Irish economy and presented a sustainable vision
and strategy for the promotion, development and commercialisation of nanotechnology in Ireland.
Among the key application areas that were identified were also pharmaceutical and medical
technologies.
In 2010, Forfás568 itself launched a report on 'Ireland's Nanotechnology Commercialisation
Framework 2010 – 2014’. The report presented a national framework to position Ireland as a
knowledge and innovation centre for certain niche areas of nanotechnology. It highlighted that
Ireland’s nanotechnology players should focus on three main technology areas (advanced materials,
“More than Moore” and nanobiotechnology) and four application areas (next generation electronics,
medical devices & diagnostics, environmental applications, and industrial process improvements).
The BioNano Laboratory in CRANN (mentioned above) is dedicated to interdisciplinary research at
the interface between the physical and life sciences including nanotechnology and diagnostics,
nanotoxicology and nanomedicine. The group investigates molecular, cellular and physiological
interactions using novel biophysical tools such as cell actuators, and magnetic and ultrasound fields.
Members of the BioNano Laboratory are also members of the Integrated Nanoscience Platform

http://www.crann.tcd.ie/
567
568
Forfás ceased to exist in 2015 and was, in part, subsumed under the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and
Innovation.

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for Ireland (INSPIRE)569, a consortium of all Irish third level institutions with international leading
research capability in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Furthermore, CRANN is also part of the
Molecular Medicine Institute which is a not for profit company established by an extended network
of Irish Universities and their associated academic hospitals. The BioNano Laboratory aims to
facilitate and accelerate the translation of biomedical nanotechnology research into improved
nanoscale diagnostics and nanomedicine.
In October 2013, a new Science Foundation Ireland funded research centre, Advanced Materials
and BioEngineering Research (AMBER)570 was launched. AMBER is jointly hosted in TCD by
CRANN and the Trinity Centre for BioEngineering, and works in collaboration with the Royal College
of Surgeons in Ireland and UCC. The centre provides a partnership between leading researchers in
material science and industry to develop new materials and devices for a range of sectors,
particularly the ICT, medical devices and industrial technology sectors.

THE NETHERLANDS
In the Netherlands, nanotechnology was established as a distinct field of scientific research in the
early years of the 21st century. A foresight study (Ten Wolde 1998) conducted by the Dutch Study
Centre for Technology Trends (STT) between 1996 and 1998 laid the foundation of a national
research agenda. The study showed the importance of nanotechnology for electronics, materials,
molecular engineering and instrumentation, and recommended to pay due attention to nanosafety
issues and set up research in that area.
The Netherlands hosts three dedicated nanotechnology research centres: The University of Twente
(with the Mesa+ research centre in microsystems technology and nanomaterials571), Delft University
of Technology (with the Else Kooi Laboratory572, previously called Dimes research centre on
nanoelectronics) and the University of Groningen (with BioMaDe573 focused on bio-
nanotechnology). The early 2000s, these formed the core of NanoNed - the Nanotechnology R&D
initiative in the Netherlands574. NanoNed was initiated after three years of preparatory work in 2004
by nine industrial and scientific partners including Philips and TNO. It clustered the Dutch expertise
on nanotechnology and enabling technology into a national network. The total budget of the
NanoNed programme amounted to EUR 235 million, funded by the Dutch Ministry for Economic
Affairs. The NanoNed programme was organised into eleven independent programmes or flagships.
Each of those was based on regional R&D strength and industrial relevance. The flagships were
Advanced NanoProbing, BioNanoSystems, Bottom-up Nano-Electronics, Chemistry and Physics of
Individual Molecules, Nano Electronic Materials, NanoFabrication, Nanofluidics,
NanoInstrumentation, NanoPhotonics, Nano-Spintronics and Quantum Computing.
In 2006, the Cabinet vision on Nanotechnology “From Small to Great” was published. The content
of the document mirrored the outline of the European Commission’s 2005 Action Plan, with sections
on business and research opportunities; societal, ethical, and legal issues; public engagement; and
risk assessment.
In 2008, the Dutch Government published its Nanotechnology Action Plan575. The plan, prepared
by the Interdepartmental Working Grou #p on Nanotechnology (ION) and building on the 2006 vision
document, incorporated the most up-to-date scientific findings, and reflected information and
agreements from European Union and other international initiatives. Four generic themes were
defined on the basis of the central theme impact on society and risk analysis, i.e.: bio-nano-
technology, beyond Moore, nanomaterials, and nano production (including instrumentation and
characterisation). In addition, four application areas were singled out: clean water, energy, food and
“nanomedicine”.
The Dutch systematic approach to nanotechnology strategy resulted in the development of stable

569
http://www.crann.tcd.ie/Research/Academic-Partners/testt.aspx
570
http://ambercentre.ie/
571
https://www.utwente.nl/mesaplus/
572
http://ekl.tudelft.nl/EKL/Home.php
573
http://www.biomade.nl/
574
However, four other universities, and TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, are
also represented.
575
http://www.rritrends.res-agora.eu/uploads/27/8079721-bijlage%281%29.pdf

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research groups, centres, department and laboratories. On the national level, NanoLab NL576
formed a consortium that built, maintained and provided a coherent and accessible infrastructure
for nanotechnology research. NanoLab drew on government funding, which was first spent on
upgrading existing infrastructure. Only when the existing infrastructure was fully used and a well-
characterised additional need was identified and additional investment made. As a consequence, the
Dutch nanotechnology research infrastructure was heavily used by research groups and the local
industry. The partners in this enterprise considered themselves often as competitors but co-operate
and co-ordinate their actions because of the substantial government funding.
In 2011, the NanoNextNL577 national research programme on nanotechnology was started as a
continuation of NanoNed and MicroNed (the Netherlands Microtechnology program). NanoNextNL is
based on a Strategic Research Agenda that was asked for by the government in both the cabinet
and the action plan. Risk evaluation and Technology Assessment form part of this research
programme. 15% of the budget is dedicated to risk-related research, as was demanded by
government in the action plan. It is planned that NanoNextNL programme will finish in 2016 but
anticipated that many aspects of it will be continued under an industry umbrella. Since 2011, the
research agenda for nanotechnology is also part of the Top sector policy of the Netherlands578,
which aims to enhance the knowledge economy by stimulating nine top sectors (leading economic
sectors).
The Top sector policy is implemented via innovation contracts, in which agreements are laid down
between business leaders, researchers and government, jointly focusing the available resources for
knowledge and innovation towards the leading economic sectors. Support programmes that aim to
support the development and deployment of nanotechnology, are mostly project based. The formats
for such supports range from small business oriented measures to financing large research project
which involve co-operation between private and public research performers.

POLAND
In 2000, the Polish State Committee for Scientific Research (KBN) started a targeted research project
in the topic of nanotechnology called “Metallic, Ceramic and Organic Nanomaterials:
Processing – Structure – Properties – Applications” with two aims:
• stimulating research on nanomaterials in Poland and promoting collaboration between
researchers in this field; and
• making a landscape of the status of nanotechnology in Poland.
The project involved 15 scientific institutions working on 26 research tasks.
In the Polish National Development Plan for the years 2007-2013, launched by the State Committee
for Scientific Research in Warsaw in 2004, nanotechnology was foreseen as an area that should
contribute to achieving a significant competitive potential in the European Arena.
During 2006, the Ministry of Science of Higher Education established the Interdisciplinary Committee
for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. This Committee analysed the nanotechnology situation and
capabilities in Poland and proposed the basic fields that should be strategically supported and
launched in 2007 the “Strategy for the Reinforcement of Polish Research and Development
Area in the Field of Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies”579. The areas to be supported were
nanoscale phenomena and processes, nanostructures, nanomaterials and nanoscale devices on the
one side and nano-analytics/nano-metrology and manufacturing processes and devices for
nanotechnology on the other. The priority of the strategy of nanosciences and nanotechnologies was
the development, co-ordination and management of the national system of research, education and
industry in this field in the short-, medium-, and long-term perspective. Other main objectives to be
achieved by 2013 were the development of high added-value nanotechnology products, the creation
and commercialisation of manufacturing devices for the production of nanomaterials, the
development of the education system in the field of nanotechnology, educating about 20-30 doctors
yearly in the specialisation of nanotechnology, building specialist laboratories, establishing co-
operation networks of research and industrial units, financial institutions, etc. and integrating

576
http://www.nanolabnl.nl/
577
http://www.nanonextnl.nl/
578
http://topsectoren.nl/english
579
www.bioin.or.kr/fileDown.do?seq=5186

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dispersed activity of research units in a joint programme of nanotechnology development.

In 2014, the Government approved the National Smart Specialisation Strategy as an integral
part of the Enterprise development Programme, setting “Multifunctional materials and composites
with advanced properties, including nano-processes and nano-products” as a horizontal smart
specialisation area in Poland.

PORTUGAL
In 2005, the Portuguese and Spanish Governments decided to jointly create the International
Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)580 in Braga, Portugal, which was partly funded under the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The decision of Portugal and Spain to create an
international research laboratory was announced by the head of Government of Spain and the Prime
Minister of Portugal at the end of the XXI Portugal-Spain Summit that took place in Évora, Portugal.
The International Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) was installed in Braga, Portugal, its Director is
the Swedish Professor Lars Montelius, and it has over 90 employees.
INL concentrates on nanotechnology, and considers applications to several other areas, following a
truly interdisciplinary approach. The Laboratory has been conceived to:
• Assure world class research excellence in all areas of activity;
• Develop partnerships with the industry and foster the transfer of knowledge in economic
values and jobs;
• Train researchers and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce for the
nanotechnology industry; and
• Survey, prevent and mitigate nanotechnology risks.
Among its research areas nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, nanomachines & nanomanipulation and
environment monitoring, security and food quality control can be found.
Further information on the policies and programmes of Spain is given below.

SPAIN
The Minister of Economy and Competitiveness is responsible for the design of the national innovation
strategy in Spain. An Inter-ministerial Commission on Science and Technology (CICYT) has the role
of co-ordinating the actions of the different bodies involved in innovation policy in a complex
governance structure. The regions of Catalonia, the Basque Country and Valencia are especially
active in S&T policy.
The 2004-2007 R&D plan was the first Spanish national R&D plan containing a specific cross-
programme action regarding nanoscience and nanotechnology. The Strategic Action (SANSNT)
was designed for the overall enhancement of Spanish industry competitiveness through the
implementation of deep changes in several industrial sectors by generating new knowledge and
applications based on the convergence of new technologies, where nanotechnology plays a central
role. The SANSNT included seven thematic lines among which the first one is “Nanotechnologies
applied in materials and new materials within the field of health”. Also included are systems biology,
synthetic biology and nanobiotechnology. The Strategic Action encompassed the development of
activities within the six Instrumental Lines of Action (human resources; projects; institutional
strengthening; infrastructures; knowledge use; and articulation and internationalisation of the
system).
Nanoscience and nanotechnology were included as a Strategic Action of both the 2004-2007
National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation (R+D+I) and the funding set aside within
this Plan for the Industrial Sector (PROFIT Programme), with the aim of promoting the development
of industrial projects (carried out by companies) with nanotechnology-focused objectives.
During the 2004-2007 periods, around 40 projects were funded as a result of this Strategic Action,
receiving a total of EUR 2 million in subsidies and EUR 8.5 million in associated investments. All the
projects were coordinated by industrial companies, although universities and technological centres
were involved in the development of many of them either on a collaborative basis, or were
subcontracted by the company carrying out the project.

580
http://inl.int/

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In 2005, the Government of Spain launched the strategic programme INGENIO 2010581 to align
Spain with the strategy of the European Union to reach a 3% of the GDP invested in R&D by year
2010, thereby reducing the gap between Spain and other countries. Its general objective was to
achieve a gradual focus of Spanish resources on strategic actions to meet the challenges faced by
the Spanish Science and Technology System. This was to be achieved by continuing the existing
policies, agendas and successful programmes, as well as by implementing new actions needed to
finish meeting the challenges identified for the national science, technology and engineering system.
In order to enhance critical mass and research excellence, the goals of the INGENIO 2010
Programme, within the CONSOLIDER programme (launched by the Ministry of Education and
Science, through the General Secretariat of Scientific Policy, to promote high quality research and
to reach critical mass and research excellence), included creating Centros de Investigación
Biomédica en Red (Biomedical Research Networking Centres, CIBER) by setting up consortia, with
their own legal personality, without physical proximity, which were designed to conduct single-topic
research on a specific broadly-defined disease or health problem. CIBER were formed through the
association of research groups linked to the national health system to help form the scientific basis
of the programmes and policies of the national health system in the priorities areas of the National
R+D+I Plan. Among the centres that have been created within this programme is the Biomedical
Research Networking centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN),
founded in 2006. The Nanobiomed consortium, which researches the use of nanoparticles for drug
delivery, was also founded with CONSOLIDER funds.
Between 2008 and 2011 the National Strategy of Nanoscience and nanotechnology, new
materials and new industrial products582 was implemented by the Ministry of Economy and
Competitiveness. This policy measure was part of the National Plan for R+D+I 2008-2011583 and its
objective was to enhance the competitiveness of Spanish industry by promoting knowledge about
and stimulating the development of new applications based on nanoscience, nanotechnology,
material science and technology, and process technologies. Six themes were targeted:
Nanotechnologies applied to materials and new materials in health sector, nanotechnologies for
information and telecommunications, nanotechnologies in relation to industry and climate, smart
materials with tailored properties based on knowledge as materials and performance coatings for
new products and processes, advances in technology and materials processing, development and
validation of new industrial models and strategies/new technologies for manufacturing design and
process/network production, and exploitation of convergent technologies. The measure covered
different lines such as supporting investments, projects, institutional strengthening, infrastructure
and utilisation of knowledge, supporting first market operations for innovative products and access
to early stage/development funding, system articulation and internationalisation and targeted public
research organisations, SMEs and other companies.
Both in the last Spanish Strategy of Science, Technology and Innovation 2013-2020584 and in the
State Plan of Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2013-2016585 (both dependent on
the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness), nanotechnology is considered a sector to be boosted
when referring to Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), but there is not a strategic plan such as in
previous periods.
Regional initiatives in Spain include:
• Estrategia Nanobasque (2008)586: In order to promote the implementation of micro and
nanotechnologies in the Basque companies, the Basque Government designed a strategy called
NanoBasque in 2007. On December 3 2008, the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism of
the Basque Government launched the nanoBasque Strategy in the framework of the Basque
Science, Technology and Innovation Plan 2010. The nanoBasque Strategy was an initiative
designed to develop a new economy sector enabled by nanotechnology. It was created with the
purpose of covering three main areas of action, namely: company, knowledge and society. One

581
http://www.ingenio2010.es/
582
http://www.idi.mineco.gob.es
583
Ibid
584
http://www.idi.mineco.gob.es/stfls/MICINN/Investigacion/FICHEROS/Spanish_Strategy_Science_Technology
.pdf
585
http://www.idi.mineco.gob.es/stfls/MICINN/Investigacion/FICHEROS/Spanish_RDTI_Plan_2013-2016.pdf
586
http://www.nanobasque.eu/aNBW/web/en/strategy/index.jsp

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of the objectives was to create a new model of relations to involve both national and international
companies, scientific, technological, political and social agent. The expected result were
targeting the efficiency and the integration of the ecosystem of innovation that was clearly aimed
at the market, based on the co-operation between all parties. The launch of the nanoBasque
Strategy was accompanied by the creation of a dynamic support agency, the nanoBasque
Agency, with the mission of coordinating and managing the development of the Strategy. The
nanoBasque Strategy strived to boost Basque the presence of companies and research agents
on international nanotechnology initiatives and markets. EUR 550 million were expected to be
mobilised in the 2009-2015 period, with a proportion of public funding of 52% on the total.
• Within the nanoBasque strategy and using CONSOLIDER funds, the Cooperative Research Center
NanoGUNE was created with the mission of performing world-class nanoscience research for the
competitive growth of the Basque Country, thereby combining basic research with the objective
of boosting nanotechnology-based market opportunities and contributing to the creation of an
enabling framework to remove existing barriers between the academic and business worlds.
• The Andalusian Centre for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology, BIONAND, is a mixed centre part
owned by the Regional Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Regional Ministry of Finance,
Innovation, Science and Employment and the University of Malaga. BIONAND has been co-
financed, with a contribution of 70% of the total cost, by the European Regional Development
Fund (ERDF) together with the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness in the frame of The
Spanish National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation 2008-
2011 (record number, IMBS10-1C-247, quantity. EUR 4.9m). The three main research areas are
nanodiagnostics, therapeutic nanosystems, and nanobiotechnology.
• IMDEA-Nanociencia is a private non-profit Foundation created by the regional Government of
the Community of Madrid in November 2006 to shorten the distance between the research and
society in the Madrid region and provide new capacity for research, technological development
and innovation in the field of nanoscience, nanotechnology and molecular design. Researchers
at IMDEA Nanoscience are developing distinct diagnostic tools, including nucleic acid-based and
nanoparticle-based sensors for detection of biological targets of medical interest, and magnetic
nanoparticles to be used in medical imaging as high-sensitive contrast agents.

THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK)

The main player in UK policy measures related to nanotechnology as a key enabling technology
(KET) is the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and its agency, the Technology
Strategy Board, now called Innovate UK587. It supports SMEs with high growth potential, manages
the Small Business Research Initiative588 and identified future potential growth sectors. Both
institutions have also developed measures facilitating the knowledge exchange and technology
adoption, such as: commercialisation opportunities and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships,
Knowledge Transfer Networks, Technology and Innovation Centres, and Small Businesses Research
Initiative.
The main interest of the UK government for nanotechnology started in 2002, when they published
the Taylor Report589 which recognised that investment in nanotechnology was increasing rapidly
worldwide. Following the Taylor Report, an announcement was made by Lord Sainsbury of GBP 90m
of funding for the Micro and Nano Technology Manufacturing Initiative. This funding was committed
between 2003 and 2007. Micro- and Nano-technology Manufacturing Initiative (MNT
Initiative) were joint investments by the Government, the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)
and the devolved administrations of Wales and Scotland. The Initiative was launched to help the
industry build on the expertise of the UK science base and win a share of this developing market,
harnessing the commercial opportunities offered by nanotechnology.
Approximately one third of this investment went to Collaborative R&D MNT Projects, and two thirds
to capital infrastructure. Generally built on existing university or business expertise, the twenty-four
facilities were targeted at addressing a broad range of key application areas where micro/nano scale
activity was considered key to future UK industry capability and where the UK had some strength.

587
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk
588
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sbri-the-small-business-research-initiative
589
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130221185318/http://www.innovateuk.org/_assets/pdf/taylor
%20report.pdf

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Micro/nano technologies were included within relevant broader collaborative R&D competitions,
principally in the materials, medicine and electronics areas. In 2007 the Nanotechnology
Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN)590 was created with the objective of supporting the
exploitation and commercialisation of MNT through informing, linking and facilitating innovation and
collaborations between users and suppliers of nanotechnology in order to build a strong MNT
community in the UK. The centres were grouped into four main themes: nano-metrology;
nanomaterials (including health and safety); nanomedicine; and nanofabrication. Between its
creation and 2014 the NanoKTN secured about £82million for UK industry, mainly focussed on SMEs,
providing a good return investment on the initial input of £3million. In 2014, NanoKTN was merged
with another 15 KTN in the new organisation KTN Ltd.
In 2006, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council issued its Report of the
Nanotechnology Strategy Group591 as an active response to the EPSRC 2005 Nanotechnology
Theme Day Report that found that there were flaws in the structure for nanotechnology R&D in the
UK. The report proposed, in conjunction with researchers and users, to identify a series of “grand
challenges” in nano-science and nano-engineering, focused initially on areas such as energy,
environmental remediation, the digital economy and healthcare, where an interdisciplinary, stage-
gate approach spanning basic research through to application will be an integral part of the challenge
of enabling nanotechnology to make an impact. The “grand challenges” were to be addressed via
interdisciplinary consortia spanning the EPSRC research spectrum, and including collaboration with
sister Research Councils (e.g. BBSRC).
In December 2007, the Research Councils announced a Cross-Council programme “Nanoscience
through Engineering to Application592”, with the objective of providing an additional GBP 50
million in areas where the UK nanotechnology research base could make a significant impact on
issues of societal importance such as healthcare. These societal or economic Grand Challenges
wanted to be addressed in a series of calls for large-scale integrated projects. They were led by the
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, in collaboration with stakeholders including
other Research Councils, industry, the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and the Nanotechnology
Research Coordination Group.
Government announced its intention to develop a UK Strategy for nanotechnologies in its 2009
response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution’s report, Novel materials in the
Environment: The case of Nanotechnology.
The Nanoscale Technologies Strategy 2009-2012593 was launched in October 2009 by the TSB
and targeted the ways by which nanotechnologies could address major challenges facing society
such as environmental change, ageing and growing populations, and global means of communication
and information sharing. Its objective was to provide the framework for future applied research
predominantly through activity inspired by the needs of wider technologies and challenge-led calls.
In 2010, the Ministerial Group on Nanotechnologies, the Nanotechnology Research Co-ordination
Group (NRCG), and the Nanotechnology Issues Dialogue Group (NIDG) issued the UK
Nanotechnologies Strategy - Small Technologies, Great Opportunities594. This Strategy
defined how Government will take action to ensure that everyone in the UK could safely benefit from
the societal and economic opportunities that these technologies offer, whilst addressing the
challenges that they might present.
In 2012 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched the
Nanotechnology Strategy Forum (NSF)595 to facilitate discussion and engagement between
Government and stakeholders in matters referred to the responsible advancement of the UK’s
nanotechnologies industries. The NSF is an advisory body formed by ad hoc expert with a
membership drawn from industry, regulators, academia and NGOs (non-governmental organisations
and it is jointly chaired by the Minister of State for Universities and Science (BIS) and the

590
https://connect.innovateuk.org/web/nanoktn
591
https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/pubs/report-of-the-nanotechnology-strategy-group/
592
https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/pubs/nanotechnology-programme/
593
http://www.nibec.ulster.ac.uk/uploads/documents/nanoscaletechnologiesstrategy.pdf
594
http://www.steptoe.com/assets/htmldocuments/UK_Nanotechnologies%20Strategy_Small%20Technologies
%20Great%20Opportunities_March%202010.pdf
595
https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/nanotechnology-strategy-forum

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Parliamentary Under-Secretary for DEFRA and is supported by a small secretariat based in DEFRA.
The UK Enabling Technologies Strategy 2012-2015596 also addresses four enabling technologies
- advanced materials; biosciences; electronics, sensors and photonics; and information and
communication technology (ICT) to support business in developing high-value products and services
in areas such as energy, food, healthcare, transport and the built environment. Nanotechnology is
identified as having a significant underpinning role across most of these technology areas,
particularly in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

596
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enabling-technologies-strategy-2012-to-2015

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ANNEX 6: PRODUCTS FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ICT

This Annex is divided largely into the same categories as used in the main body of the report:
1. Data storage
2. Printed electronics
3. Low-k dielectric coatings and other improvement applications
4. Digital imagers and sensors
5. Optical components (e.g. switches and optical amplifiers (op amps))
6. Components
7. Novel technologies

1 DATA STORAGE

Product Name Description Producer

Metal Nano Dot The metal nano-dot (MND) memory is a non- Asahi Glass
(MND) Memory volatile memory. Nanoparticles, in the form of
rods of diameter 2 nm are suspended in a solid
matrix in an insulator.
NANO CUBIC NANO CUBIC technology is an ultra-thin layer FUJI Film
Technology coating that results in higher resolution for
recording digital data, ultra-low noise and high
signal-to-noise ratios that are ideal for
magneto-resistive (MR) heads. It can increase
the capacity of data cartridge and digital
videotape to one-terabyte (native =
uncompressed) capacities, and floppy disc
capacities to three gigabytes native.
Intel® The Intel® StrataFlash® Cellular Memory Intel
StrataFlash® (M18) is a 90 nm NOR MLC (multi-level cell)
Cellular Memory device. This fifth generation of Intel
StrataFlash memory delivers more value and
improved performance to cellular developers,
and enables highly reliable, yet cost-effective,
cellular solutions. Offering faster read and
write speeds, increased density and better
power consumption, the M18 delivers the
unique combination of memory features
cellular designers need for today's cellular
applications-high performance, high density,
and low-power operation. The M18 gives
wireless products the capacity to do more
while consuming less power.
3DXPOINT Micron and Intel 3D XPoint™ technology, a Micron Technology
new category of non-volatile memory that Inc.
addresses the need for high-performance,
high-endurance, and high-capacity memory
and storage. 3D XPoint technology is up to
1,000 times faster and has up to 1,000 times
greater endurance than NAND, but is 10 times
denser than conventional memory. For
memory and storage applications.
Phase-Change Phase-change memory (PCM) has the
Memory (PCM) potential to allow developers to stack multiple
layers of PCM arrays in a single die, thereby
greatly increasing the density of the non-
volatile memory medium.
NRAM™ non- Nantero, Inc. is building a high density non- Nantero, Inc.
volatile random volatile random access memory chip, which
access memory can replace DRAM (dynamic RAM), SRAM

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Product Name Description Producer

(static RAM), flash memory, and ultimately
hard disc storage, i.e. a universal memory chip
suitable for countless existing and new
applications in the field of electronics.
Nantero's design for NRAM™ involves the use
of suspended nanotube junctions as memory
bits, with the "up" position representing bit
zero and the "down" position representing bit
one. Bits are switched between states through
the application of electrical fields. Nantero is a
nanotechnology company using carbon
nanotubes for the development of next-
generation semiconductor devices. These
devices include memory, logic, and other
semiconductor products. In the field of
memory, Nantero is developing NRAM™, a
high-density non-volatile Random Access
Memory.
Flash Memory Samsung is the industry's first manufacturer Samsung
90 nm to apply 90-nanometre process technology to
technology a Flash memory device, to make ultra-high-
capacity non-volatile memory technology. The
2Gb device 0.05 μm2 design rule is half the
minimum cell size found in other NAND Flash
memory chips. The ultra-high capacity device
can make for an affordable 256 MByte USB
Flash drive, expediting the replacement of the
floppy drive and zip drive combination.
Suitable for existing fabrication lines, no need
for additional facilities investments. The 90-
nanometer process technology greatly reduces
manufacturing costs. The 2Gbit Flash memory
utilises a novel SSA-STi (Sacrificial Self Align
Shallow Trench isolation) to improve cell data
storage reliability, challenging at sub-100nm
process.

2 PRINTED ELECTRONICS

Product Name Description Producer

NINK®-Ag silver The NINK®-Ag series of conductive silver inks ABC Nanotech Co
conductive ink are for piezoelectric inkjet printing on various
substrates and are made up of surface
modified nano-silver. Fine-pitch conductive
lines can be placed on various substrates, such
as olycarbonate, polyester, polyimide, and
ceramics. The sintering temperature of the
nano-sized silver particles (around 150°C) is
lower than for micro-sized silver particles.
CNT-based CNT-based aerosol inks are formulated for Brewer Science
aerosol ink compatibility with Optomec’s Aerosol Jet®
printer. The materials are designed for
transparent conductive, conductive trace,
sensor and interconnect applications. These
surfactant-free CNT inks are designed for low-
temperature application on a wide range of
substrates including paper, printed circuit
boards, ceramic, glass, and silicon. The use of

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Product Name Description Producer

the inks with Optomec Aerosol Jet®
technology is ideal for quick prototyping of
devices with direct transfer to large-scale
production systems.
Innovalight Ink that contains silicon nanoparticles DuPont
suspended in a chemical mix. When applied to
silicon solar cells during the manufacturing
process, the ink boosts the cells' absorption of
sunlight at lower wavelengths, generating
more electricity
DYAG50 Dyesol's DYAG50 Conductive Silver Ink helps Dyesol
conductive silver to achieve exceptionally high conductivity at
printing ink low cure temperatures when printing on a
variety of substrates including glass and
polyesters (PET/PEN) and ITO/FTO coated
substrates.
AgCite™Silver AgCite™ family of inks sinters at low Nano Dimension Ltd.
Nano-Particle temperatures and is suited to a broad range of
Inks substrates including paper, polymers, glass
and ITO. With unparalleled conductivity, less
ink is needed for the same application
requirement, bringing about major cost-
savings.
Nink NanoLab produces two types of ink, Nink-1000 NanoLab
(multiwall carbon nanotube ink) and Nink-
1100 (single wall carbon nanotube ink).
NanoLab formulated Nink to be printable using
HP's DeskjetTM series printers.
NanoGold Conductive ink NanoMas Technologies
NanoSilver Conductive ink
Metalon™ Inks: Metalon silver inks are formulated for range of Novacentrix
silver applications. Off-the-shelf inks for inkjet,
screen, flexo, gravure, and spray/aerosol are
available. The inks can be processed using
traditional thermal methods as well as using
the PulseForge tools. In some cases, a short
(1-3 minute) drying time is suggested prior to
processing with a PulseForge tool. Processing
conditions are currently being developed
which would remove the need for even a brief
dry cycle.
PChem nano The technology is based on patented silver PChem Associates
silver flexo nanoparticles. The conductive inks derived
from these stabilised silver nanoparticles gives
superior conductivity and ultrafine resolution
in various printed electronic applications
including simple consumer devices, as
transparent electrodes in solar and lighting
products, and sensors in medical and
automotive products.
Z TACH™ Z TACH™ anisotropic conductive adhesive is SunRay Scientific
applied as a paste without any pressure and
then cured either with heat at low temperature
(70˚C to 150˚C) or with UV in a magnetic
field. This results in the self-assembly of
conductive columns at regular intervals
throughout the adhesive thickness (Z-Axis).

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Product Name Description Producer

The columns create electrical and thermal
interconnection in the Z-Axis, while
maintaining electrical insulation in the X-Y
plane. After formation, the columns maintain
their structure due to immobilisation within a
now rigid polymer matrix.
UTDAg UTDAg silver nanoink is general-use ink for UT Dots Inc.
conductive silver aerosol or ink-jet printing on variety of
nanoinks substrates. The ink is based on silver
nanoparticles with average size around 10 nm
and dispersed in a liquid. Since they are
surface stabilised, UTDAg inks are highly
soluble in non-polar organic solvents and
stable under atmospheric conditions at room
temperature.
Siren™ Graphene printed electronics-based anti-theft Vorbeck Materials
retail package product

3 LOW -K DIELECTRIC COATINGS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENT APPLICATIONS

Product Name Description Producer

Graphistrength® Graphistrength® thermoplastic Arkema
thermoplastic masterbatches contain multi-wall carbon
masterbatches nanotubes dispersed in a polymer matrix in a
high concentration. They are particularly
suited to applications where stringent
requirements, in terms of cleanliness,
permanent electrostatic dissipation, and
perfect surface finish, are in place, such as
semi-conductors and components sensitive to
ESD (electrostatic discharge), housings of
electronic devices, etc.
Chip on heatsink Integrating the thermal printed circuit board Cambridge Nanotherm
(PCB) into a heat sink ensures the shortest
thermal path from the heat source, an optimal
thermal management solution for high power
devices such as LEDs, IGBT transistors or
MOSFETs. Electrical insulation of a
conventional aluminium heat sink is provided
by application of a dielectric ceramic layer
directly on its surface.
Nanotherm Flexible circuit board substrates for LEDs and
flexible circuit electronics, the aluminium foil is ideal for
board many applications, including as a thermally
conductive electric insulation barrier in power
electronics, or as the substrate for flexible
printed circuit board LED lighting applications,
or for use in energy harvesting applications as
a super-thin thermally conductive substrate.
The foil is nano-ceramic aluminium, a sheet of
aluminium where the top surface has
been converted to nano-ceramic – a material
which is extremely thermally conductive, but
which stops electricity transfer.
Nanotherm LC A metal clad printed circuit board, Nanotherm-

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Product Name Description Producer

LC is fabricated from a sheet of nano-ceramic
aluminium, a sheet of aluminium where
the top surface has been converted to nano-
ceramic – a material which is extremely
thermally conductive, but which stops
electricity transfer.
NANOTIM APS NANOTIM is a silicone-based thermal interface CoolTTM
material made from a silicone fluid with
thermally conductive material and metal oxide
fillers. TTM can offer various type of thermal
interface material such as high-conductivity
phase change material, thermal grease, and
silicone pad with adhesive etc.
NANOTIM APS is a nano-powder thermal
interface material.
NANOTIM PCM Phase change material (PCM): PCM25 is
(phase change designed to solve heat problems from
material) electronic components such as high-end CPUs,
GPUs, FB-Dimm and custom ASICS chips.
PCM25 is a wax-based phase change material
made from a paraffin wax with thermally-
conductive material and metal oxide fillers.
The product offers high thermal conductivity,
virtually no wide operating bleed or
evaporation over temperature range.
NANOTIM SPS The NANOTIM SPS (silicon thermal pad) series
(silicon thermal comprises thermal interface materials
pad) specially designed for heatsink applications,
with excellent thermal conductivity cushioning
and gap-filling properties. It is also suitable for
mounting a heat spreader onto a power
converter and motor control PCB.
NANOTIM TGS The NANOTIM TGS (thermal grease) series are
(thermal grease) thermal interface materials with nano-
dispersion technology to mix the silicon fluid
and high performance nano-powder, which
can help the thermal dissipating of electric
components. They are used as a thermal
interface material between a heat source and
a heat sink.
NANOTIM TSS NANOTIM is a silicone-based thermal interface
material made from a silicone fluid with
thermally conductive material and metal oxide
fillers. TTM can offer various type of thermal
interface material such as high-conductivity
phase change material, thermal grease, and
silicone pad with adhesive etc.
TTS is a nano-powder thermal interface
material - thermal spreading sheet.
SiLK™ SiLK™ semiconductor dielectric resin: SiLK Dow Chemical
resin formulations are specialty polymer
solutions manufactured by Dow for the
microelectronics industry. For example, SiLK™
I 1070 is designed for easy integration and
extendibility, and its formulations offer a
robust feature set. High thermal stability and
fracture toughness means SilK™ I 1070 is
compatible with standard IC processing tools

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Product Name Description Producer

in today’s fabrications.
Neushield NeuShield® utilises POSS® dispersion Hybrid Plastics
technology (POSS, polyhedral oligomeric
silsesquioxane - a nano-structural chemical) to
achieve high loading levels of gadolinium
atoms within low density polyethylene. The
product is suitable for shielding
semiconductors against radiation induced
memory loss. NeuShield® chip caps and hot-
melt adhesive glue sticks are very easily
applied to chips and connectors. NeuShield®
adhesive tape is designed for simple
application to housings, structures and cables.
Nanoglass NANOGLASS© is a family of inorganic porous Nanopore Inc.
oxide-like low-k dielectric materials. Higher
processor speeds, lower power requirements,
and less thermal problems than conventional
dense dielectrics, can be achieved using
NANOGLASS©.
Prolimatech PK1 Used to provide good heat transfer from a CPU Prolima Tech
thermal to the heat sink base, Prolimatech PK-1 is a
compound paste thermal compound that is easy to spread and
is reliable throughout the year. It requires no
burn-in time, has a long lifespan with low dry-
out, and is not electrically conductive. The
nanoparticles help to fill in microscopic
imperfections in the surfaces between the heat
sink and contact surface, providing good
thermal dissipation.
Prolimatech PK- Used to provide good heat transfer from a CPU
2 nano- to the heat sink base, Prolimatech PK-2
aluminium thermal compound is a high performance
thermal thermal bonding agent specially designed for
compound paste easy application. PK-2's core feature is its low
viscosity, allowing for one to quickly and easily
apply the thinnest coat of thermal compound
possible.
Prolimatech PK3 Used to provide good heat transfer from a CPU
thermal to the heat sink base, PK-3 thermal compound
compound paste is made up of specially designed nano-
particles. The nano-particles work by filling in
any small air gaps caused by microscopic
imperfections and allowing for peak transfer of
heat away from the components.
Zano® Al-10 Zano® is a series of specialty zinc oxides that Umicore Zinc
combine excellent broad-band UVA/UVB Chemicals
absorption properties with high levels of
transparency in a wide range of applications.
Zano® also offers good anti-microbial
properties, which makes it a good additive to,
among others, plastics and textiles. Zano® Al-
10 is a microfine, aluminium-doped zinc oxide
with a typical aluminium content of 1wt% and
is used for electronics applications.

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4 DIGITAL IMAGERS AND SENSORS

Product Name Description Producer

DIC100TH (weld DIC100TH (Dynamic Imaging Camera). The Ajat Oy
inspection digital x-ray imaging device provides the full
system) benefit of a direct conversion x-ray sensor using
custom charge integration CMOS. Fast frame
read-out with extremely low noise level, matches
the requirements for low-contrast/high
sensitivity applications and specifically this
product is a unique solution for inspecting welds
in heat exchangers, namely tube to tube-sheet
welds. The sensor is connected to the computer
via an industry-standard CameraLink
connection. A PCI frame grabber is shipped with
the sensor.
PID350 In nuclear medicine (PET, SPECT) as well as bone
densitometry, the PID350 technology family
offers energy dispersive imaging with high
position resolution.
SCAN300FL The SCAN300FL digital x-ray imaging device
provides the full benefit of a direct conversion x-
ray sensor using custom charge integration
CMOS. Fast frame read-out, with extremely low
noise level, matches the requirements for low-
contrast/high sensitivity scanning applications.
The sensor is also well suited for high SNR
applications using integrated digital frame
accumulation techniques. The very high
efficiency Cd(Zn)Te-CMOS sensor technology
provides excellent image quality with x-ray
energies up to 300 kVp, but can also operate on
low energies starting from 10 kVp. The sensor is
connected to the computer via an industry
standard CameraLink connection. A PCI frame
grabber shipped with the sensor employs large
memory buffers on board to establish a high
reliability data transfer link. SCAN300FL
incorporates an active Peltier element for
controlling the temperature within +-0.1 degrees
for maximal performance. The system also
includes specialised calibration software for high
performance imaging.
SCAN5000TDI Using the SCAN5000TDI sensor family, a cost
effective and highly performing scanning linear
array can be implemented with active area of
450mm that can scan-image the chest or other
body parts at 40cm/sec with 0.1mm line width
(i.e. 4000lines/sec TDI output). Since this is a
linear rather than a full format array, the cost of
such sensor is highly competitive against flat
panels, while CdTe/CdZnTe offers exquisite
image quality, sensitivity and contrast.
Graphene-based The worldwide fastest graphene-based AMO GmbH
photodetector photodetectors with a potential of a maximum
data rate of 50 Gbit/s.
Low-Power 100 Kotura’s silicon photonics platform supports Kotura (Mellanox
Gb/s Optical optical engines using Wave Division Multiplexing Technologies)
Engine (WDM), in which different signals can share the
same path. As the only silicon photonics provider

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Product Name Description Producer

to offer WDM, Kotura’s optical engine provides
distinct advantages, including reducing the cost
of fibre and associated connectors within the
interconnect fabric for 4x25 GHz solutions by a
factor of four, as well as readily expanding from
four channels to eight, 16 or even 40 channels
over a single strand of optical fibre. Additionally,
Kotura’s silicon photonics platform also supports
optical engines using parallel fibre channels.
WDM filters Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) filters NanoOpto Corp (part of
for fibre-optic communications. API Nanotronics)
APD TO/ROSA Small and hermetic germanium-on-silicon SiFotonics Technologies
avalanche photodiodes in TO-can/ROSA Co., Ltd.
(receiver optical sub-assembly) packages for the
easy and suitable installation in data
communications and telecommunication
systems.
Ge/Si APD These Ge/Si avalanche photodiodes use a
separate absorption, charge and multiplication
(SACM) structure to achieve excellent absorption
efficiency, high gain and low noise factor. They
are based on the high responsivity of germanium
to near-infrared light and the low k-factor of Si
as multiplication layer. The APDs have lower
temperature dependence (compared with
traditional InP or InAlAs materials) owing to
incorporating Si as the avalanche material, and
can operating over a wide temperature range
from -40°C to 85°C.
Ge/Si PIN PD Germanium-on-silicon technology is the new
driving technology to manufacture near-infrared
(0.8um to 1.6um) photodiodes instead of InGaAs
material for the fields of telecommunications,
metro networks and FTTHs. Superiority in mass
production and uniformity, owing to
compatibility with CMOS manufacturing process.
SiFotonics Ge/Si PIN photodiodes have been
optimised for best performance, including high
responsivity, fast response, low capacitance and
low bias voltage. The product portfolio covers
speeds from 10 Gb/s to 25 Gb/s. All SiFotonics
Ge/Si PD devices can be customised, including
optimal wavelength, data rate, array size and
array pitch.
Transceiver SiFotonics has developed a series IC integrating
integrated circuits laser/VSCEL driver, limiting amplifier (LA) and
MCU (microcontroller) into a tiny 5mm x 5mm
QFN32 package for active optical cable (AOC)
applications. It can be used not only for
traditional SFP+ (enhanced small form-factor
pluggable transceivers), passive optical network
(PON) SFP+ but also suitable to be used in AOC
which require a small size package.
SNAP225 digital The SNAP225 is a compact digital x-ray imaging Ajat OY
x-ray imaging device, a frame mode direct conversion x-ray
device sensor combined with asymmetric active area
using charge integration CMOS. This unique
sensor combines three functionalities in one and
is intended for integration into dental panoramic,

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Product Name Description Producer

cephalometric and local 3D/CT systems. These
functionalities are achieved using reconstruction
and image processing software.

5 O PTICAL COMPONENTS (E.G . SWITCHES AND OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS ( OP AMPS ))

Product Name Description Producer

Semiconductor Semiconductor optical amplifiers (booster optical Innolume
optical amplifiers amplifiers) are amplifiers which use a
semiconductor to provide the gain medium. They
have a similar structure to Fabry–Perot laser
diodes but with anti-reflection design elements at
the end faces. Recent designs include anti-
reflective coatings and tilted waveguide and
window regions which can reduce end face
reflection to less than 0.001%. Since this creates
a loss of power from the cavity which is greater
than the gain, it prevents the amplifier from
acting as a laser.
APS4300 Optical Module for 1+1 unidirectional protection LYNX Photonic
Networks
APS4300B-HP A high-power optical module for 1+1
unidirectional protection
APS4301 Optical module for 1:1 fibre link protection
APS4301-D Dual 1:1 protection switching module for
bidirectional fibre links
APS4305 Optical module for 1+1 fibre link protection.
APS4305-E Optical module for 1+2 fibre link protection.
APS4310 Optical module for single-ended bi-directional
protection. For fibre link, equipment and dual
homing protection applications.
APS4325-B Dual bi-directional fibre-links protection module
with embedded by-pass switching.
LightLEADER Optical bypass protection switch for 2 circuits.
3002-U
LightLEADER Optical add-on protection system for WDM bi-
3201/3202/3212 directional fibre links.
LightLEADER 4000 LightLEADER 4000 platform modular platform
supporting a large variety of optical fibre
monitoring, protection switching and intrusion
detection applications.
LightLEADER Protection and by-pass system for intermediate
4301-i network sites.
LightLEADER Protection and by-pass system for intermediate
4301-i network sites.
Nano-optic isolator SubWave Optical Isolator, a family of high- NanoOpto Corp (part
performance, nano-structure-enabled optical of API Nanotronics)
isolators which can reduce cost and device size
for data communications and
telecommunications transceivers and
transponders. The SubWave optical isolator can
either be used in standard transceiver designs,

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Product Name Description Producer

or as the basis for more compact new
architectures. The SubWave optical isolator uses
a proprietary nano-structure-based design to
directly integrate a required polarisation function
on the surface of a garnet Faraday rotator,
thereby creating thinner isolator cores – as thin
as 0.5mm or less, a reduction of over 30%
compared to traditional isolator designs – and so
enabling physically smaller isolators – on the
order of 0.5mm x 0.5mm, depending on the
application. This nano-lithography based
manufacturing methodology is being used by
NanoOpto to produce surface mount, cylindrical
mount and magnet-less isolators.
Polarising beam The devices are used to combine light from two
splitters/combiners input beams into a single output beam (PBC
mode) or to separate the orthogonal polarisation
components of an input signal into two output
beams (PBS mode). These advanced optical
devices are optimised for operation at either
1310 nm or 1550 nm. PBS/C are nanofabricated
directly on thin glass substrates using
proprietary processes, resulting in a product with
a small form factors and great shape and size
versatility. The NanoOpto devices can be
produced with thicknesses ranging from 0.2 mm
to 1.6 mm and sizes from 0.5mmX0.5mm to
15mmX15mm. The operating range is -40 to
80°C. PBS/C have applications in telecom,
scientific equipment such as Raman amplifiers,
polarisation division Mux/DeMux, polarisation
switches, variable optical attenuators, and
general fibre networks.
Waveplates, SubWave AQWP650+, an achromatic quarter
retarders and trim waveplate for high performance, robust, DVD/CD
retarders read/write combination drives with applications
for entertainment, mobile systems and
computing. This novel wideband achromatic
waveplate improves performance, increases
compactness, improves reliability, reduces
assembly costs, and simplifies the design of
DVD/CD read/write combination drives. The
SubWave AQWP650+ uses a proprietary nano-
structure-based design to provide true zero order
performance across a broad wavelength range.
It provides 90(degree) (i.e., quarter wave) +/-
4(degree) of phase retardance uniformly across
a 630 to 805nm wavelength range,
encompassing the 650nm and 785nm
wavelengths used for DVD/CD read/write
operations. This device is constructed using only
dielectric materials and exhibits stable optical
performance and physical robustness over a
broad operating temperature range.

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6 COMPONENTS

Product Name Description Producer

AO3160 The AO3160 is fabricated using an advanced high Alpha & Omega
voltage MOSFET process that is designed to Semiconductor
deliver high levels of performance and
robustness in popular AC-DC applications.
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Using its Automated Precision Manufacturing AMD
Dual-Core (APM) system, AMD has taken the critical step
Processor from its 130 nanometres (nm) Silicon On
Insulator (SOI) process to a 90nm SOI.
Lithography is the printing process used to
manufacture processors. 90nm here corresponds
to the International Technology Roadmap for
Semiconductors’ (ITRS) definition of the
minimum metal pitch – the smallest metal lines
– used being 90nm. These tiny proportions allow
AMD to etch onto a silicon die complex circuits of
millions upon millions of transistors, which allow
for more-powerful-but-smaller processors. AMD
uses a combination of 248nm and 193nm
lithography tools, along with resolution
enhancement techniques, to etch sub-50nm
transistor gates – the smaller transistors switch
faster and draw less power.
OMAP 5 28 nm CMOS low-power process with highest
Processors levels of processor performance and lowest
power consumption
N Channel This new generation MOSFET has been designed Diodes Incorporate
to minimise the on-state resistance (RDS(on))
while maintaining switching performance,
making it ideal for high efficiency power
management applications.
650 V E-HEMT Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices offer five key GAN Systems
transistors characteristics: high dielectric strength, high
operating temperature, high current density,
high speed switching and low on-resistance.
These characteristics are due to the properties of
GaN, which, compared to silicon, offers ten times
higher electrical breakdown characteristics,
three times the bandgap, and exceptional carrier
mobility.
GS66508T-EVBHB The EVB is a fully functional half bridge power
stage consisting of two 650V GaN E-HEMTs (top
side cooled GS66508T, 30A/55mΩ), gate drive
power supply, half bridge gate drivers and
heatsink.
IBM® PowerPC® Processors made using a 90 nm manufacturing IBM
970FX/970MP process.
Processors
P-Channel & Small HEXFET® power MOSFETs includes P-channel Infineon
Signal MOSFET devices in surface mount and leaded packages
and form factors that can address almost any
board layout and thermal design challenge.
Intel® Core™ Duo The Intel® Core™ Duo (dual core) processor and Intel
Processor the Intel® Core™ Solo (single core) processor
are built on Intel’s next generation 65 nanometre
process technology with copper interconnect.

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Product Name Description Producer

Netspeed Gemini High-performance, scalable, coherent on-chip Netspeed Systems
network IP solution. It supports all three levels
of coherent traffic – cache coherent, I/O
coherent & non-coherent traffic – in a single on-
chip network. NetSpeed Gemini provides full
cache coherency for small and large SoC designs,
delivers high performance and significant time-
to-market advantages to SoC designers for a
wide range of markets from mobile, networking
to high-performance computing.
Netspeed Orion High-performance, scalable, coherent on-chip
network IP solution. NetSpeed Orion represents
a new way of designing and optimising sysem-
on-chip interconnects.
i.MX6DL: i.MX The i.MX 6 series of applications processors NXP
6DualLite combines scalable platforms with broad levels of
Processors integration and power-efficient processing
capabilities particularly suited to multimedia
applications.
i.MX6Q: i.MX The i.MX 6 series of applications processors
6Quad Processors combines scalable platforms with broad levels of
– High- integration and power-efficient processing
Performance, 3D capabilities particularly suited to multimedia
Graphics, HD applications.
Video, ARM
Cortex-A9 Core
i.MX6S: i.MX The i.MX 6 series of applications processors NXP
6Solo Processors combines scalable platforms with broad levels of
– Single-Core, integration and power-efficient processing
Multimedia, 3D capabilities particularly suited to multimedia
Graphics, ARM applications.
Cortex-A9 Core
AMD Phenom™ II Process technology based on 45 nanometre, SOI Pall Corporation
Processors (silicon-on-insulator) technology
DTMOS Series Extensive portfolio of low-VDSS and mid/high- Toshiba
(VDSS of 600V / VDSS MOSFETs in various circuit configurations
U-MOS Series and packages, featuring high speed, high
VDSS of 12V to performance, low loss, low on-resistance, small
250V) packaging, etc. Its main products include the
mid- to high-voltage DTMOS Series with a VDSS
of 600V or so and the low-voltage U-MOS Series
with a VDSS of 12V to 250V.

7 N OVEL TECHNOLOGIES

Product Name Description Producer

Organic Field Organic field effect transistors (OFETs) are the Aldrich
Effect Transistor basic building blocks for flexible integrated
(OFET) Materials circuits and displays. To make OFETs,
materials ranging from conductors (for
electrodes), semiconductors (for active
channel materials), to insulators (for gate
dielectric layers) are needed.
D-Wave 2X With 1000+ qubits and many other D-Wave Systems
technological advancements, the D-Wave 2X

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Product Name Description Producer

will enable customers to run much larger,
more complex problems on the system. In
addition to scaling beyond 1000 qubits, the
new system incorporates other major
technological and scientific advancements.
These include an operating temperature below
15 milli-Kelvin, near absolute zero and 180
times colder than interstellar space. With over
128,000 Josephson tunnel junctions, the new
processors are believed to be the most
complex superconductor integrated circuits
ever successfully used in production systems.
Increased control circuitry precision and a
50% reduction in noise also contribute to
faster performance and enhanced reliability.
D-Wave One “The world’s first commercially-available
quantum computer” operating on a 128-qubit
chipset using quantum annealing (a general
method for finding the global minimum of a
function by a process using quantum
fluctuations) to solve optimisation problems.
Magnetic NVE is a leader in spintronic Giant NVE
Sensors Magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors. NVE
sensors are smaller, more sensitive, and more
precise than conventional sensors such as Hall
effect or AMR. NVE developed the first
commercial GMR sensors in 1995. The product
line includes analogue sensors, digital sensors,
angle sensors, gear tooth sensors, current
sensors, medical sensors, and sensor
evaluation kits for precision gear tooth and
encoder applications, as well as sensors with
custom magnetic, electronic and packaging
specifications.
OFET A collection of small semiconducting molecules Ossila
Semiconducting for thin film organic field effect transistors
Small Molecules (OFETs).

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ANNEX 7: HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY

INTRODUCTION
The basis for the evaluation is the “Stoffenmanager Nano” application developed by TNO (Van
Duuren-Stuurman, et al. 2012). In short, Stoffenmanager Nano is a risk-banding tool developed for
employers and employees to prioritize health risks occurring as a result of respiratory exposure to
nanoparticles for a broad range of worker scenarios. This tool combines the available hazard
information of a substance with a qualitative estimate of potential for inhalation exposure.
“Stoffenmanager Nano” does not contemplate the dermal and oral routes of exposure. The
respiratory route is the main route of exposure for many occupational scenarios, while the oral route
of exposure is considered minor and sufficiently covered, from a safety point of view, by good
hygiene practices established in production facilities as prescribed through general welfare provisions
in national health and safety legislation in EU countries (ECHA 2012). The dermal route may be the
main route of exposure for some substances or exposure situations, and cause local effects on the
skin or systemic effects after absorption into the body (ECHA 2012). However, nanoparticles as such
are very unlikely to penetrate the skin (Watkinson, et al. 2013), and consequently nano-specific
systemic toxicity via the dermal route is improbable. Therefore, when evaluating nano-risks for the
respiratory route, the most important aspects of occupational safety are covered.
Currently version 1 of Stoffenmanager Nano is being updated with recent data and insights. The
hazard of six metal oxide nanoparticles has been reassessed and their hazard bands have been
updated. This revision, which follows the hazard assessment methods established by van Duuren-
Stuurman et al. (2012), but makes use of more recent toxicity data, has been published in a TNO-
report (Le Feber, et al. 2014). Hazard bands for the nanoparticles, as listed in the table Hazard
bands for selected nanoparticles, are taken by preference from this report and, if not available in
that report, from van Duuren-Stuurman et al. (2012). If a nanoparticle in the list has not been
evaluated in either publication, data were collected from public literature to derive its hazard band.

HAZARD ASSESSMENT OF NANOPARTICLES NOT ASSESSED IN

STOFFENMANAGER NANO
INTRODUCTION
In “Stoffenmanager Nano” the available hazard information is used to assign specific nanoparticles
to one of five hazard bands, labelled A to E (A= low hazard, E= highest hazard). Not for all
nanomaterials of importance for the ICT sector which are listed in the table, hazard banding has
been performed within the context of Stoffenmanager Nano. For those nanoparticles toxicity data
have been collected and hazard bands are derived according to the methodology described for
“Stoffenmanager Nano” in van Duuren-Stuurman et al. (2012). In essence, it applies the toxicity
classification rules of EU Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging
(CLP) of substances and mixtures. The method is summarized in the figure.

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Figure 1: The stepwise approach of hazard banding of Stoffenmanager Nano (Van

Duuren-Stuurman, et al. 2012)
C = carcinogenic, +C = and carcinogenic, M = mutagenic, -M = and not mutagenic, MNO = manufactured
nanoparticle, R = reprotoxic, resp. = respiratory, T = toxic, T+ = very toxic
Stoffenmanager refers to the non-nano version of Stoffenmanager as described by Marquart et al. (2008).

GALLIUM ARSENIDE (GAAS)

No toxicity studies on nano-GaAs were encountered in public literature. According to data from the
REACH dossier of GaAs597, (powdered) GaAs has limited solubility in water (based on released As 3+
ions). GaAs is marketed as an article made from very pure (99.9999%) crystalline bulk material,
predominantly in the shape of wafers (Bomhard, et al. 2013), implying an even lower water
solubility. Therefore, applying the methodology of van Duuren et al. (2012), the hazard
characteristics of the parent material are used. GaAs is classified as carcinogenic, but not mutagenic
(based on sufficient evidence) by the EU598. It should be noted that the classification for
carcinogenicity was based on inhalation studies with micronised powdered GaAs, and that the
relevance of these studies for human exposure to crystalline GaAs is questioned (Bomhard, et al.
2013). Based on the classification of the bulk material, nanoGaAs is attributed hazard band D.

GALLIUM NITRIDE
No relevant toxicity studies on nano-gallium nitride were encountered in public literature. Gallium
nitride wafers are virtually insoluble in water, even in dilute acid (Jewett, et al. 2012), and therefore,
applying the methodology of van Duuren et al. (2012), the hazard characteristics of the parent

597
See http://apps.echa.europa.eu/registered/data/dossiers/DISS-9eb10650-da4f-6514-e044-
00144f67d031/DISS-9eb10650-da4f-6514-e044-00144f67d031_DISS-9eb10650-da4f-6514-e044-
00144f67d031.html
598
See http://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/cl-inventory/view-notification-
summary/104548

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material are used. Gallium nitride is not classified for any toxicity by the EU 599. However, this
absence of classification was based on lacking data. Besides the gallium ions, which are not
considered relevant for gallium nitride since it is insoluble in water (Foster, et al. 2013), only one
structurally similar compound was found using the on-line ChemID database: gallium phosphide,
which was characterised as being 80% similar with gallium nitride. Also on this compound no relevant
toxicity data were found, meaning read-across could not be employed. Therefore, no hazard banding
can be derived.

GRAPHENE
Graphene is composed of sp2-hybridised carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional structure. The
various forms of graphene include few-layer graphene, reduced graphene oxide, graphene
nanosheets and graphene oxide (GO) (Seabra, et al. 2014).
The UK government body, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are now reviewing all forms of graphene and
functionalised graphene oxide (GO) because of their poor solubility, high agglomeration, long-term
retention, and relatively long circulation time in the blood (Begum et al. 2011 cited in Nezakati, et
al. 2014).
Currently, limited information about the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of graphene is available (Seabra,
et al. 2014). The toxicity profiles of graphene and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles remain difficult
to separate, since their characterisation, bulk and chemical composition are very similar at the
nanometre length scale (Nezakati, et al. 2014).
In vitro graphene has been demonstrated to be cytotoxic, be it overall to a lesser degree than carbon
nanotubes (Seabra, et al. 2014). However, the reliability of this conclusion can be doubted since
Seabra et al. stated that graphene showed an inverse dose-relationship, being more cytotoxic than
carbon nanotubes at low concentrations. The only elaborate comparative study reported by Seabra
et al., refers to genotoxicity towards human fibroblast cells. GO proved to be the most potent
genotoxic agent compared to iron oxide (Fe304), titanium dioxide (Ti02), silicon dioxide (Si02), zinc
oxide (ZnO), indium (In), tin (Sn), core—shell zinc sulphate-coated cadmium selenide (CdSe (3)
ZnS), and carbon nanotubes.
Intratracheal instillation of 50 µg GO in mice caused severe pulmonary distress after inhalation
causing excessive inflammation, while the amount of non-functionalised graphene instilled did not
(Duch et al. 2011). Single intravenous (i.v.) injection of graphene oxide into mice at a dose of 10
mg/kg bw accumulated in the lung resulting in pulmonary oedema and granuloma formation, with
NOAEL of 1 mg/kg bw (Zhang, et al. 2011). Furthermore, surface functionalised graphene
(PEGylated) appears to be far less toxic: no toxic effects after single i.v. injection of 20 mg/kg bw
(Yang, et al. 2011). In mice, PEGylated GO materials showed no uptake via oral administration,
indicating limited intestinal absorption of the material, with almost complete excretion. In contrast,
upon i.p. injection in mice, PEGylated GO was found to accumulate in the liver and spleen (Yang, et
al. 2013 (cited in Seabra, et al. 2014)).
The toxicity of graphene is dependent on the graphene surface (the chemical structure or the nature
of the functionalised coatings), size, number of layers, cell type, administration route (for in vivo
experiments), dose, time of exposure, and synthesis methods (Seabra, et al. 2014). Generalisations
are therefore hard to make, but graphene nanostructures are not fibre-shaped and theoretically may
be assumed to be safer than carbon nanotubes (Seabra, et al. 2014).
Based on the scarce available evidence, and in spite of its theoretical advantage in relation to carbon
nanotubes, it cannot be excluded that some forms of graphene will be as potent a toxicant as carbon
nanotubes. Therefore, graphene is assigned to hazard band E.

MOLYBDENUM DISULPHIDE
No relevant toxicity studies on nano-molybdenum disulphide were encountered in public literature.
It is insoluble in water and therefore, applying the methodology of van Duuren et al. (2012), the
hazard characteristics of the parent material are used. Molybdenum disulphide is not classified for

599
See http://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/cl-inventory/view-notification-
summary/5411.

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any toxicity by the EU600. Based on this absence of classification, the nanoforms should be assigned
hazard band C, the lowest category a nanoparticle can be assigned just based on toxicity data for
its non-nano parent compound (Van Duuren-Stuurman, et al. 2012).

TUNGSTEN SELENIDE
No relevant toxicity studies on nano-tungsten selenide were encountered in public literature.
Tungsten selenide is also not classified for any toxicity by the EU 601. However, this absence of
classification was based on lacking data. Also on the top 5 similar compounds retrieved by ChemID
(rhenium selenide, tantalum selenide, tungsten telluride, manganese selenide and molybdenum
selenide, similarity ranging from 85 to 95%) no relevant toxicity data were found, meaning read-
across could not be employed. Therefore, no hazard banding can be derived.
Overview of hazard bands of nanoparticles in the manufacturing sector
The table Hazard bands for selected nanoparticles presents an overview of selected nanoparticles of
the manufacturing sector and their hazard bands, either taken from le Feber et al. (2014) or van
Duuren et al. (2012), or derived in this report.

Table 1: Hazard bands for selected nanoparticles

Nanoparticles Hazard Band Hazard Band Source

Gallium Arsenide D This report

Gallium Nitride n/a no data
Graphene E This report
Molybdenum Disulphide C This report
Silicon Dioxide (silica), Synthetic C le Feber et al. (2014)
Amorphous
Silicon Dioxide (silica), Crystalline E van Duuren et al. (2012)
Silver D le Feber et al. (2014)
Tungsten Selenide n/a no data

EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
For the materials, manufacturing is a crucial phase regarding health and safety, due to relatively
high potentials for exposure of employees. However, the production phase was earlier described in
the sector “manufacturing” and will not be evaluated in this sector report.
Most of the engineered nanomaterials are present in the products as part of a matrix. Some of the
identified substances for evaluation may not necessarily be engineered nanomaterials. During the
manufacture of ICT products engineered nanomaterials may be used and are applied mainly as
coatings. For the majority of these coatings, only a low percentage of engineered nanomaterials are
present. The production phase of ICT products on industrial scale consists mainly of automatic
processes, with employees only engaged in product quality control or system engineering. In
addition, most processes are performed in cleanrooms and/or under well-controlled conditions, as
dust is a major threat to the quality of the products. Nevertheless, spray scenarios for coating
normally result in high exposure concentrations, so potential exposure cannot be neglected. In the
situation of a manual process without proper exposure control measures (e.g. local exhaust
ventilation, cleanroom), employees may be exposed to relatively higher concentrations. Lastly,
during the end-of-life phase several metals may be present in the ICT product, which can be
worthwhile to recycle. Recycling of these metals may involve, for example, shredding of ICT

600
See http://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/cl-inventory/view-notification-
summary/37514.
601
http://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/cl-inventory/view-notification-
summary/1552.

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products, and engineered nanomaterials possibly present can become airborne. However, as the
shredded products only will contain a small amount of engineered nanomaterials, potential exposure
to engineered nanomaterials during this process will be relatively low.
In conclusion, the use of ICT products results in exposure band 1 (consumers and workers), whereas
during the production of ICT products exposure band 2 (workers) is believed to be realistic.
Furthermore, during the end-of-life phase an exposure band 1 (workers) is realistic.

RISK ASSESSMENT
The hazard and exposure bands are combined to yield so called priority bands, according to the
scheme depicted in the table Priority bands in the Stoffenmanager. A high priority implies that it is
urgent to apply exposure control measures or to assess the risks more precisely, and a low priority
implies that it is not very urgent to apply exposure control measures or to establish the risk involved
with more precision. It should be emphasised that because of the scarcity of available information,
the scheme is set in a conservative way (according to the precautionary principle).
Table 2: Priority bands in the Stoffenmanager

Hazard band A B C D E

Exposure band

1 3 3 3 2 1

2 3 3 2 2 1

3 3 2 2 1 1

4 2 1 1 1 1

Key:
Hazard: A = lowest hazard and E = highest hazard;
Exposure: 1 = lowest exposure and 4 = highest exposure;
Overall result: 1 = highest priority and 3 = lowest priority (Van Duuren-Stuurman, et al. 2012)

Risks based on the hazard and exposure banding applied to the sector are listed in the table Priority
bands ICT sector. Since exposure does not vary between ICT sector categories, and the nanoparticles
may, in principle, be applied in any of these categories, they are not separately listed in this table.

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Table 3: Priority bands ICT sector

Exposure Band
Production Phase Use and End-of-life Phase
Nanoparticle Hazard Band 2 1
Gallium Arsenide D 2 2
Gallium Nitride n/a n/a n/a
Graphene E 1 1
Molybdenum Disulphide C 2 3
Silicon Dioxide C 2 3
(silica), Synthetic
Amorphous
Silicon Dioxide (silica), E 1 1
Crystalline
Silver D 2 2
Tungsten Selenide n/a n/a n/a

The highest priority is for graphene and crystalline silica during the production, use and end-of-life
phases, while gallium arsenide and nanosilver have intermediate priority in those phases. Molyb-
denum disulphide and amorphous silica also have intermediate priority in the production phase, but
low priority during use and end-of-life phase in view of a lesser potential of exposure in those phases.
For gallium nitride and tungsten selenide no adequate data were available to perform hazard and
exposure banding.

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REFERENCES
Bomhard, E.M., Gelbke, H., Schenk, H., Williams, G.M., Cohen, S.M., 2013. Evaluation of the
carcinogenicity of gallium arsenide. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 43, 436-466.
Duch, M.C., Budinger, G.R.S., Liang, Y.T., Soberanes, S., Urich, D., Chiarella, S.E., Campochiaro,
L.A., Gonzalez, A., Chandel, N.S., Hersam, M.C., Mutlu, G.M., 2011. Minimising oxidation and stable
nanoscale dispersion improves the biocompatibility of graphene in the lung. Nano Letters 11, 5201-
5207.

ECHA, 2012. Chapter R.14: Occupational exposure estimation, in: Anonymous Guidance on
Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment., Version: 2.1 ed. European Chemicals
Agency, Helsinki, Finland.
Foster, C.M., Collazo, R., Sitar, Z., Ivanisevic, A., 2013. Aqueous stability of Ga- and N-polar gallium
nitride. Langmuir 29, 216-220.
Jewett, S.A., Makowski, M.S., Andrews, B., Manfra, M.J., Ivanisevic, A., 2012. Gallium nitride is
biocompatible and non-toxic before and after functionalisation with peptides. Acta Biomater. 8, 728-
733.
Le Feber, M., Kroese, E.D., Kuper, C.F., Stockmann-Juvala, H., Hyytinen, E.R., 2014. Pre-assigned
hazard bands for commonly used nanoparticles. TNO2014 R11884.
Marquart, H., Heussen, H., Le Feber, M., Noy, D., Tielemans, E., Schinkel, J., West, J., Van Der
Schaaf, D., 2008. 'Stoffenmanager', a web-based control banding tool using an exposure process
model. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 52, 429-441.
Nezakati, T., Cousins, B.G., Seifalian, A.M., 2014. Toxicology of chemically modified graphene-based
materials for medical application. Arch. Toxicol. 88, 1987-2012.
Seabra, A.B., Paula, A.J., De Lima, R., Alves, O.L., Durán, N., 2014. Nanotoxicity of graphene and
graphene oxide. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 27, 159-168.
Van Duuren-Stuurman, B., Vink, S., Verbist, K.J.M., Heussen, H.G.A., Brouwer, D., Kroese, D.E.D.,
Van Niftrik, M.F.J., Tielemans, E., Fransman, W., 2012. Stoffenmanager Nano version 1.0: a web-
based tool for risk prioritisation of airborne manufactured nano objects. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 56, 525-
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Watkinson, A.C., Bunge, A.L., Hadgraft, J., Lane, M.E., 2013. Nanoparticles do not penetrate human
skin - A theoretical perspective. Pharm. Res. 30, 1943-1946.
Yang, K., Wan, J., Zhang, S., Zhang, Y., Lee, S., Liu, Z., 2011. In vivo pharmacokinetics, long-term
biodistribution, and toxicology of pegylated graphene in mice. ACS Nano 5, 516-522.
Zhang, X., Yin, J., Peng, C., Hu, W., Zhu, Z., Li, W., Fan, C., Huang, Q., 2011. Distribution and
biocompatibility studies of graphene oxide in mice after intravenous administration. Carbon 49, 986-
995.

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How to obtain EU publications

Free publications:
• one copy:
via EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu);
• more than one copy or posters/maps:
from the European Union’s representations (http://ec.europa.eu/represent_en.htm);
from the delegations in non-EU countries (http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/index_en.htm);
by contacting the Europe Direct service (http://europa.eu/europedirect/index_en.htm) or
calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (freephone number from anywhere in the EU) (*).

(*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you).

Priced publications:
• via EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu).

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This report offers a snapshot of the environment for nanotechnology in the context
of information and communication technologies (ICT). It gives an overview of
policies and programmes for nanotechnology and ICT in the EU (and wider),
publications, patenting, research & innovation, industry, products and markets,
and the wider environment. The report is part of a series of eight NanoData
Landscape Compilation studies covering the application of nanotechnology in the
fields of construction, energy, environment, health, ICT, manufacturing, photonics
and transport.

Studies and reports