highlights

NEWS!- Nanoparticles for delivery of a pharmacologically active agent
Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS, Italy) has invented a novel core-shell nanoparticles, processes for preparing them, and their use as carriers able to reversibly bind and deliver pharmacologically active substances, in particular nucleic acids, including DNA, RNA, ODNs and proteins, into cells. The invention provides biocompatible polymeric carriers capable to reversibly bind and deliver pharmacologically active substances (such as nucleic acids and proteins intact into cells), to avoid recognition by the phagocytic cells, and to last longer in the bloodstream. The technology is in the pre-clinical stage with in vivo animal studies ongoing. ISS seeks for partners for devlopmental partnership, outlicense, and/or sale.
ISS - Source: Pharmalicensing

NEWS!- Steels: Development of new materials
CTM Materials Technology is a Spanish organization specialised in technology transfer to companies through joint R&D&I projects. CTM investigates various lines of material design and process optimisation at mechanical and thermomechanical level. In particular, the organization study the determination of the nanomechanical properties of materials, allowing new materials and procedures to be designed. Its laboratory is equipped with technical facilities for mechanical and microstructural characterization including nanocharacterisation facilities. CTM Materials is seeking partners in manufacturing and research into materials processing and production technology, particularly for steels.
CTM - Source: Cordis

Precursors for nanomaterials
The Institute for Materials Research (IMO) is a research laboratory of the University of Hasselt (Belgium). The core competence is the development and characterization of new material systems with potential use in microelectronics. This field was broadened to include materials for use in bioelectronics and nanotechnology. Fundamental and applied research programs are carried out. The focus for fundamental research is on the synthesis of multifunctional, conjugated polymers for use in electronics and for future use in bioelectronic devices. Another activity is the study of wide band gap materials. Much attention is given to synthetic diamond, produced with chemical vapour deposition (CVD) for optical and electronic applications. CVD diamond is also studied for use in biolectronics and nanoelectronics. The development of chemical, water based precursors for producing nanocrystalline films for electronic applications and for producing nanopowders is an important activity. IMO is also working on reliability aspects of material systems used in electronics, with emphasis on high temperature electronic materials and III-V materials. IMO looks for partnerships in several fields: Ceramic materials and powders; Coatings and surface treatment; Microelectronics; Chemistry.
Contact - IMO - Source: Cordis

Extreme Ultraviolet Interference Lithography
The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI, Switzerland) is a multi-disciplinary research centre for natural sciences and technology with specific skills in nano-lithography. The Institute looks to participate in projects that can benefit from its expertise in nanometer scale resolution and throughput of the XIL (X-ray interference lithography) technique. The Institute seeks partners with applications demanding very high resolution lithographic patterning. Potential application areas include research on next generation lithography (EUV) technologies, photoresist characterization at extreme resolution, development of x-ray diffraction optics and gratings, self-assembly on patterned templates, nanometer scale modification of polymer surfaces, magnetic storage arrays, surface plasmon optics, sub-wavelength optics, quantum dots, nanowire arrays and templates for nanoimprint lithography. The high throughput of the technique combined with the reliability of the Institute’s set up makes it possible produce a large number of samples for systematic experimentation, they said. The ideal cooperation would involve finding and developing nano-patterningsolutions that serve the specific requirements of the application at hand.
Contact here - Source: Cordis

Magnetoelastic properties of nanocrystalline magnetic materials
The Institute of Metrology and Measuring Systems, Warsaw University of Technology (Poland), investigates on magnetic, magneto structure and magneto elastic properties of newly developed soft magnetic materials. This research allows developing technology of production of these materials. Knowledge about magnetic, magneto structure and magneto elastic properties of materials is essential for improving of functional properties of soft magnetic materials especially amorphous and nanocrystalline. The Institute looks for partners from any countries with skills in Instrumentation technology, Metrology, Physical instrumentation, Electromagnetism, Optics, Acoustics, Electrical engineering.Contact here - Source: Cordis

Nanoelectronics: ENIAC publishes Strategic Agenda
“Although Europe is in a strong position to make the transition from microelectronics to nanoelectronics, the research challenges and infrastructure investment required should not be underestimated. Europe is not the only part of the world to have recognized the importance of the shift. Nanoelectronics research and development networks are already being established in the USA and the Far East, each serving the objectives of their own communities and industries”. This is what the European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council (ENIAC) recalls in its Strategic Research Agenda, a document published after the Stakeholders Meeting held last month in Barcelona (Spain). The paper is now available online. ENIAC defines itself as a European Technology Platform for Nanoelectronics. Its main mission is to stimulate increased and more effective and coherent public and private investment in R&D in the nanoelectronics sector.
ENIAC - The Strategic Agenda (pdf)

Submicron scanning thermal microscopy
Picocal Europe, Greek subsidiary of Picocal (USA), is a technology venture focused on novel measurement solutions. The company currently works on submicron scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) with micromachined ultracompliant probe. The SThM intends to facilitate basic research by enabling the observation of properties and thermal phenomena that are not well understood at the nanoscale. The thermal probe can be used to thermally examine nanoscale devices and structures that are being actively developed for electronic, optoelectronic, thermoelectric, electromechanical, and sensing applications.Picocal Europe looks for partners and projects in several fields: thermal engineering, applied thermodynamics, instrumentation technology, metrology, physical instrumentation, imaging, image processing, microelectronics.
Contact - Picocal - Cordis data sheet

UV2Litho project
The "Usable vacuum ultra violet lithography" (UV2Litho) european-funded project has investigated four metrology techniques that address the measurement and process control needs of manufacturing techniques for a critical dimension of 65nm. The project evaluated four methods: scanning electron microscopy (CD-SEM), CD-scatterometry, atomic force microscopy (CD-AFM) and combined techniques. The project found that tool-to-tool matching the need to ensure that measurements are consistent among different metrology tools in different fabrication plants. The team also found that none of the metrology techniques evaluated were able to meet the tool matching requirements of 65nm technologies. In the initial stages of development for the 65nm node, however, a single tool could be used for low-volume measuring of silicon wafers at ultimate resolution and precision. The project is now looking for semiconductor equipment manufacturers who would be interested in commercialising its findings, and recommended procedures, on tool-to-tool matching. The team is also looking for semiconductor companies or consortia to collaborate on further development towards the "45nm technology node".
Cordis fact sheet - Contact

4M2006 Call for Papers - 2nd International Conference on Multi-Material Micro Manufacture (4M), on 20th-22nd September 2006.
Micro-TECHNOLOGIES: Polymer Processing; Processing of Metals; Processing of Ceramics; Metrology; Assembly and Packaging. APPLICATIONS: Microoptics; Microfluidics; Micro-Sensors & Actuators. Submission will be electronic only via: www.4m-net.org/4M_Conference. Important Dates: Submission site will open: 10 January 2006; Submission deadline of full papers: 28 February 2006; Feed back from the peer review to authors: 13 April 2006; Submission of final paper: 5 May 2006; Notification of acceptance: 2 June 2006; Authors Final Registration: 9 June 2006; Public Final Registration: 8 September 2006; Call for papers (pdf)

European Technology Platform on NanoMedicine launched; A Vision Paper on NanoMedicine, the European platform project, has been presented at the EuroNanoForum 2005 Conference in Edinburgh. The document establishes five main policy objectives: establish a clear strategic vision in the area resulting in a Strategic Research Agenda; decrease fragmentation in nano-medical research; mobilise additional public and private investment; identify priority areas; boost innovation in nanobiotechnologies for medical use. Three key priorities have also been confirmed: nanotechnology-based diagnostics including imaging; targeted drug delivery and release; regenerative medicine. The CEOs of Philips Medical Systems (Dr. Karvinen) and of Siemens Medical Solutions (Prof.Reinhardt) are prepared to take over the chairmanship of this platform together. As of the official start of the NanoMedicine Platform in September 2005, participation of a wider group of stakeholders is planned. It is envisaged to create working groups within the Platform that will establish the Strategic Research Agenda.
Source: Cordis - The Vision Paper (pdf)

Projects: Looking for Partners: Developing a biosensor / nanoactuator; University of Portsmouth (UK) is about to prepare a follow-up project to continue the Mol Switch project, and require groups interested in molecular motors and biosensors. The team has partners who have experience with Magnetic Tweezers and DNA-based molecular motors. Key areas for collaboration involve detecting motion of magnetic particles using (e.g.) Hall-Effect Sensors. In addition, The University is still interested in collaboration in the area of surface assembly, microfluidics and calibrated force microscopy. Also people with an interest in biosensor development using ‘’reporter’’ proteins linked to a self-assembling nanoactuator. Target partners are designer/producer of biosensors (or an existing Consortium who would be interested in minaturisation of biosensor), and companies interested in developing bio-nanodevices through a route involving gradual miniaturisation.
Contact - University of Portsmouth

Projects: Looking for Partners: - Nano-scale interference lithography with impulse UV laser; The Institute of Applied Physics ( University of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) develops a technology for creating one and two-dimensional nano-scale phase masks for replication of nano-photonic and nano-electronic devices. Conditions of direct nano-scale modifications of materials which are perspective for nano-photonics and nano-electronics are also investigated. The team seeks different partners: research organization with experience of probe and near-field diagnostics of materials as well as lithography processing of fused quartz, CaF2 and MgF2 ; industrial enterprise working in creation of planar and fiber-optic devices, channel multiplexing, spatially distributed; and research laboratories which have expertise in the field of planar, fiber-optic devices, semiconductor emitters in the UV to IR ranges and have equipment for the creation and diagnostics of thin films.
Contact - University of Nizhny Novgorod

‘’Biotechnology for health" call for proposals: nano is welcome; The European Commission has launched a call for proposals under the "Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health" section of the Sixth Framework Programme (indicative total budget for this call : € 381.6 million). The call adresses multiples areas of work, each one having several specific topics. One of the topics of the "Development of new diagnostics" general area is ''Nanoparticles-based diagnostics". The project in this topic should have a multidisciplinary approach, the subject should aim at developing high-sensitivity detection and labelling methods, promoting innovative approaches in vitro or in vivo, making use of nanoparticles and multiparametric devices. In case of in vivo components, the project should pay attention to biocompatibility, toxicity and effectiveness aspects. Potential transfers to industrial application should be explored, and the involvement of SMEs is expected. The EC have published a separate call dedicated to SMEs, covering the same areas of work and topics. The deadline for submitting proposal documents is November 9, 2005.
The call - The call for SMEs

MINAEAST EU project can offer facilities for NMS/ACC researchers and academic or industrial organisations. Are you interested? Please download this questionnaire on your computer and send the completed questionnaire to net@imt.ro. Questionnaire.
Online questionnaire.

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