1200 members
of the
nanotechnology
community
from over 50
countries
gathered in
Budapest,
Hungary, for
three days
of
presentations,
networking
and
inspiration
during
EuroNanoForum
2011. The
event was
supported by
the European
Commission
and
Hungarian
National
Innovation
Fund, and
was
organised by
the National
Innovation
Office in
partnership
with
Spinverse
under the
auspices of
the
Hungarian
Presidency.
The event
drew
together
nanotechnologies
which could
contribute
to the
solution of
grand
challenges,
including
renewable
energy,
ageing
populations,
and resource
efficiency.
Presenters
described
hundreds of
solutions
such as
nanoparticle-based
cancer
therapies,
retinal and
cochlear
implants,
nanomaterials
for
improving
energy
density of
batteries
and mass
production
of flexible
solar cells,
and
materials to
improve the
performance
and energy
efficiency
of
electronics.
A plenary
presentation
on the
potential
applications
of graphene
also
underlined
the fact
that
nanotechnology
is being
constantly
expanded by
new
developments
and
discoveries.
The event
was also
able to
contribute
to the
ongoing
discussion
about the
future of
nanotechnology
both in
terms of the
ongoing work
to support
Key Enabling
Technologies
and the
Common
Strategic
Framework.
An
industrial
panel during
the closing
plenary
discussed
ways in
which public
funding
could
contribute
to the whole
innovation
pipeline,
from
research
through
demonstration
to
commercialisation
and
deployment.
Athanasios
Skouras from
University
of Patlas
received the
EuroNanoForum
2011 award
for the best
poster
presented by
a young
researcher.
An
exhibition
accompanied
the event,
at which 60
organisations
presented
themselves.
The best
exhibitors,
as voted for
by attendees
included
NanoNext,
the
Netherlands
nanotechnology
network, the
NMPTeAM
network of
national
contact
points, and
Estonian
electrospinning
pioneer
Esfil Tehno.
A
matchmaking
event on 1st
June also
saw 425
meetings
take place,
stimulating
networking
for
technology
transfer and
for new
project
consortia.
The event
hosted a
venture
capital
session,
where
leading
investors
from Europe
gave awards
for start-up
companies.
The winner
of Best
Start-up
Award was
Nanoference
from Denmark
with its
ambitious,
disruptive
business
plan based
on
scientific
discovery.
Skeleton
Technologies
from Estonia
got a
special
mention for
a very well
structured
pitch.
General
observation
from the
session was
that Europe
is running
short of
venture
capital
money. More
public
funding and
tax policies
were
expected to
speed up
growth of
European
start-ups.
Research
funding
needs to be
complemented
with
instruments
that support
also product
development
and business
development.
"This event
has exceeded
our
expectations,
and we were
delighted to
be able to
host so many
members of
the European
nanotechnology
community.
At the same
time this
was a great
opportunity
to present
Hungarian
nanotechnology
research
activities
and results
to the
European
nanotechnology
community.
We hope the
developments
and
discussions
that have
taken place
during this
event will
bear fruit
for Europe
in the years
ahead,"
commented
Gyorgy
Meszaros,
President of
the National
Innovation
Office of
Hungary.
Pekka
Koponen, CEO
of
Spinverse,
added that
"the high
interest in
this event,
and
particularly
the number
of
exhibitors,
industrial
participants
and close to
market
nanotechnology
developments
confirm our
own research
which shows
that
nanotechnology
has become
highly
relevant for
competitiveness
and growth."
For more
information
please go to
www.euronanoforum2011.eu.
Presentations
and a
post-event
report will
be available
on the event
website by
mid-June.
