observatoryNANO

Nanoscience and nanotechnology is now a burning science that changes the world of science and technology .concentrate the UK dissemination event for the observatoryNANO in London on the 19th March 2009 and gain knowledge of new nanoscience and nanotechnology developments in different industrial sectors and what socio-economic impacts these are having on the global market.
European decision-makers in government, industry, and finance lack objective information for their decisions when considering a rapidly changing field of technology such as nanoscience and nanotechnology.
The observatoryNANO project aims to address this through extensive engagement with the global expert community to supplement its review of scientific literature, patents, and reports from different organizations and projects. Developments in ten broad technology sectors are being mapped and analyzed: aerospace, automotive, and transport; agrifood; chemistry and materials; construction; energy; environment; health, medicine, and nanobio; ICT; security; and textiles.
This event provides an indication of the work performed within the first year of the project and the chance for participants to meet project partners and get a better insight into how nanotechnology is evolving, not just in terms of scientific, technological and socio-economic opportunities, but also the moral and communal aspects, and the prospective environment, health and safety issues. It also provides a platform for individuals to become involved in future engagement processes and have their opinions included in reports and analyses presented to EU policy makers.

ObservatoryNANO
The FP7 project observatoryNANO is funded for four years and includes 16 partners from 10 European States. Its mission is to create a European Observatory on Nanotechnologies to present reliable, complete and responsible science-based and economic expert analysis, across technology sectors, establish dialogue with decision makers and others regarding the benefits and opportunities, balanced against barriers and risks, and allow them to take action to ensure that scientific and technological developments are realized as socio-economic benefits.
European decision-makers in governments, industry, and finance lack objective information for their decisions when considering a rapidly changing field of technology such as Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (N&N). The observatoryNANO project will help address this issue. It will collate and analyse data regarding scientific and technological (ST) trends (including peer-reviewed publications, patents, roadmaps, published company data) and economic realities and expectations (including market analysis and economic performance, public and private funding strategies). The ST and economic analysis will be further supported by assessment of ethical and societal issues, impacts on health, environment and safety, as well as regulation, standardization, and legislative issues. Although much of this work will be performed within the consortium, observatoryNANO has established liaisons with international organizations including the EPO, OECD, and ISO, and will establish liaisons with relevant European Technology Platforms (ETPs), ERA NETs, and other relevant EU-funded projects, to ensure that effort is not duplicated and that resource sharing and output are maximized. The purpose of this integrated approach is to develop validated methodologies that yield accurate indicators of the socio-economic impact of N&N RTD.

The final goal of the observatoryNANO project is to establish a permanent European Observatory on Nanotechnologies, to provide ongoing, independent support to decision-makers. This will take account of the methodologies developed and validated during the project, the functions and activities of other similar initiatives, and input from a balanced Governing Board of high-level stakeholders that will be formed during the second year of the project.