Nanotechnology
Strong Position supported by Research Facilities
Germany has become a worldwide leader in the field of nanotechnology. The country relies its success on the active support of the Federal Government through public funding, the innovative participation of many industrial enterprises and the establishment of research facilities that concentrate their work on the nanotech field. As of today, several hundred large and mid-sized industrial companies are engaged in the German nanotechnology sector, especially in the fields of nanostructuring, nanoanalytics and in the production of nanomaterials.
With the introduction of the ''Centers of Competence'' in 1998, the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) confirmed its strong support for the advancement of nanotechnology research. The existing nine Centers of Competence in Germany are regional clusters that concentrate on the most important areas of nanotechnology. Investors, researchers, developers, universities, public relations and marketing experts form these clusters with the goal of ensuring a high value added chain in the implementation of nano technological innovations.
In order to keep its leading position, Germany launched in November 2006 a ''Nano Initiative - Action Plan 2010'' aimed at the overall future strengthening of the nanotechnology sector. This plan is a joint effort among seven Federal Ministries with the goal of reinforcing the implementation of the potential applications of nanotech innovations in the country's leading sectors: the automobile industry (NanoMobil), the optical industry (NanoLux), electronics (NanoFab) and life sciences (Nano for Life). Beyond these four areas, other important industries are also included in this plan: Production technology, the textile industry (NanoTex), the constructioin industry (NanoTecture) and the medicine/health sector. This initiative also includes ''NanoChance'', which is the funding program that supports small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their nanotech related research activities.
The VDI Technology Center, a subsidiary company of the Association of German Engineers, offers an array of information and links to all topics related to nanotechnology in Germany. It offers access to the ''Nano-map'' which is a tool to find the regional distribution of all nanotechnology institutions, enterprises, networks, research centers, universities, SMEs and financing and funding entities in Germany.
The website of the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) also contains helpful information on nanotechnology and provides links to other related sites like organizations, fairs, and scientific and competence centers in the field.Everyone interested in German nanotech companies can find information at the German Nanotechnology Companies and Institutions Directory. Furthermore, the database ''Nano in Germany'' has been tailored to the Asian market providing information about nanotech enterprises in English, Japanese and Chinese.
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