Germany is a big player in the world of the tiniest things

Nanotechnology opens up the world of the tiniest things. Germany is a big player in this field. Consistent funding by the Federal Government is making an important contribution to this. With about 370 million euros in Federal Government funds, Germany is by far the leader in Europe. Now, we must set the right course for future developments and, above all, develop the application potential. This is the aim of the Federal Government's Nano initiatives.

Nanotechnologies are a horizontal sector with many possible applications in areas such as energy technology (fuel and solar cells), environmental technology (materials cycles and disposal) or information technology (new storage techniques and processors) as well as health. They hold great technological and economic potential for Germany. Today, about 740 companies work on the development, application and distribution of nanotechnology products. About 50,000 jobs are involved, with an upward trend. Experts believe that the market volume across all industries will be more than one trillion euros worldwide in 2015.

"Nano Initiative Action Plan 2010": for faster transfer

In order to pool aims and approaches in the field of nanotechnology, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) launched the "Nano Initiative Action Plan 2010" - together with the Federal Ministries of Economics and Technology (BMWi), for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), of Health (BMG), of Defence (BMVg), of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). The initiative wants to speed up translation of nanotechnology research results into products and markets and create better framework conditions. A public dialogue is to contribute to a responsible management of this technology and to greater transparency. Seven priorities are funded: automotive engineering, optical industry, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, electronics, chemistry, the building and the textile industry. The technological development of nanomaterials is accompanied by a discussion of safety issues. In addition to the ongoing funding of risk research, which is coordinated by the BMU, the Federal Government conducted a "Nano Dialogue 2006 - 2008" on opportunities and risks of nanomaterials.

To accelerate the implementation of innovative products and processes using nanotechnologies, the BMBF supports mainly research-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their innovation potential in cutting-edge research with its KMU-innovativ programme.

The nanoTruck is the Federal Government's nanotechnology information centre on wheels. Since 2008, it has been touring Germany and educating the general public on scientific basics and fields of application of nanotechnology.

Project Example:
Nanotechnology for medical diagnostics

Under the NanoBioPore research projects, the universities of Heidelberg and Bochum cooperate with partners from industry in order to develop faster and more precise diagnostic procedures and searches for active agents by means of nanotechnology. Important disease markers occur in very low concentrations and require sensors for particularly sensitive detection. Nanoporous electrode systems are being developed using methods of thin film and nano structure technology to produce special NanoBioPore sensors. In this way, even pathogens and signal molecules which were difficult to detect or could previously not be detected at all can now be detected. The treatment of patients can thus be improved and treatment costs can be reduced thanks to cheaper diagnostic procedures.

  • Nanotechnology - A Future Technology with Visions

    Nanotechnology is increasingly considered to be the future technology. Instead of "ever higher, ever wider" its motto is "ever smaller, ever faster". Nanotechnology provides access to the world of the smallest things. One nanometre is a millionth part of a millimetre. The diameter of a human hair is fifty thousand times bigger. The possible applications of this technology are immense. Future progress in nanotechnology will also determine the further development of future-oriented branches. The Federal Ministry of Research has presented a new overall strategy for this area.
    more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/nanotechnologie.php)

  • Risk and research

    Nanotechnology: Protection of health and humans - recognising the risks and taking responsibility
    more (URL: http://www.bmu.de/english/nanotechnology/risk_and_research/doc/38416.php)