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1st Nanotechnology meeting organised by the Spanish “NanoCiencia” Network

May 10th, 2002

“NanoCiencia”, Spanish Nanotechnology network for young scientists and currently formed by 90 researchers, celebrated its first meeting in Madrid (25-26 April, 2002) at the “Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (CSIC)” - Spain.

The aim of this workshop was, far from being a conventional scientific conference, to serve as a discussion forum to promote the interdisciplinary debate among the researchers from different nanoareas such as biology, chemistry and physics, focused on nanotechnology problems, as well as to encourage the activity of young researchers in this field of great interest. This objective was achieved through discussions in different Working Groups referring to Nanofabrication and SPM, Theory and Modelling or Nanomaterials. Possible collaborations with the other Nanotechnology Spanish Network “NanoSpain” were also discussed.

Each group involved in the network was introduced in a short-talk shooting session showing a broad range of research areas both from experimental as well as theoretical approaches. Nanomagnetism, SPM applications, nanoelectronics, zeolite applications and organic materials among others are subjects under work in these Spanish groups forming the “NanoCiencia” Network. Dr. Pedro A. Serena, Network coordinator and organiser of this first event, said that the goal of the network is to make it fully interdisciplinary and therefore bring together the same proportion of physicists, engineers, biologists and chemists.

Dr. Francesc Pérez Murano from the Instituto de Microelectronica de Barcelona (CSIC) presented their results on mass sensors with lateral spatial resolution in the nanometer scale, and attogram mass sensitivity in the frame of the EC Project NANOMASS. At their institute, R&D activity is being developed on the integration of microelectronics with nanotechnology, which includes nanolithography, combination of nanodevices with CMOS circuits and development of nanoelectromechanical systems. Another part of the project is the development of novel device concepts and nanoelectronics which includes the exploration of new nanostructured materials, as for example, nanotubes and the possibilities of nanoelectronics as an alternative to CMOS technology.

Dr. Fernando Rey, from the Instituto de Tecnología Química de Valencia (CSIC-Univ.) showed the work in the synthesis of zeolites to be used for membranes and catalysts. As he explained, these molecules can be designed and selectively produced with diameters of a few angstroms with high precision. These results have lead to several patents and are already being applied in industrial processes.

Besides to discussion sessions, three invited talks presented other nano-initiatives such as the PHANTOMS Network, the future Nanotechnology and Molecular Design Institute of the Scientific Park of Madrid and the new instruments within the next European VI Framework Programme.

One of the principal aims of the PHANTOMS Network (coordinated from CMP Cientifica and funded by the European Commission) is to provide information in the field of “Nanotechnology for Information Processing and Storage”. Its scheme aims to promote European science and research through a pluri-national networking action, put together research capacities present in the various European regions and stimulate commercial nanoelectronic applications.

The network is also promoting intensively industrial participation in the Network activities through different channels, informing the industry about relevant progresses in nanoelectronics and providing a feedback loop for industrial mid and long-term interests. PHANTOMS is currently of a truly interdisciplinary character (members come from government, universities and industry at the top of their fields in Europe) and involves at this stage 150 groups mainly from Europe.

The development of the Scientific Park of Madrid, which will hold the Nanotechnology and Molecular Design Institute and an ion accelerator among other institutes and services, was presented and discussed at the workshop. The Nanotechnology and Molecular Design Institute will consist of four mixed departments (Nanostructures Synthesis, Characterisation, Process modelling and display fabrication) which will include chemists, physicist, biologists and engineers. General scientific services of the Scientific Park as well as bioscience equipments will be available.

The VI European Framework Programme has defined seven priority areas such as Information Society technologies (IST) and Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multi-functional materials and new production processes and devices.and will implement new instruments for participation, two of them being the Integrated projects and Networks of excellence.

At this moment the European Commission is inviting the submission of expressions of interest (EoI) to participate in research actions.

“NanoCiencia” Network Coordinator: Prof. Pedro A. Serena (The next “NanoCiencia” meeting will take place in Barcelona (Spain) next autumn).
NanoSpain network
PHANTOMS Network (Coordinator: Dr. Antonio Correia)
PCM (contact: parque.cientifico@uam.es)
6th EU Framework Programme

By Adriana Gil (CMP Cientifica, Co-editor of the PHANTOMS Newsletter)

Reprinted with permission.
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