The Netherlands: World leader in both micro and nanotechnology

Micro Chips

Probably unknown to many is that 85 % of all computer chips are produced in the Netherlands and that in approximately 90% of all cars in the world there is at least one computer chip produced by a  Dutch company.

NXP in Eindhoven is one of the major players and exporters  in this field. 

The Dutch Government reports that the development of high-tech systems and materials is a key area in the overall Netherlands economy. Micro and nanotechnology are important sources of employment, focusing on technological advancement.

Micro and nanotechnologies differ from each other because of the scale on which they function: production on a scale of the micro or nanometre (millionth or billionth of a meter, respectively).

In nanotechnology, the disciplines biology, chemistry, electrical engineering and physics come together. Individual atoms can be observed and manipulated, and the manipulation of atoms can lead to the formation of new structures that have never previously existed. As a result, material may demonstrate unique properties, which can then be used to enhance materials and systems and introduce new applications in many fields: the automobile industry, medical systems, aviation, consumer electronics, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and the food and food-processing industry.

Microtechnology is essential for developing nanotechnology further. In many cases, microtechnology helps in making the leap from nanotechnology to the outside world. Nanotech applications often make a big difference to existing products, but are also often already integrated in the total concept. Within the concept for a new measuring instrument, for example, nanotechnology may be a small, albeit essential, component. This is why many applications will make use of both micro and nanotechnology.

Some examples of relevant applications of nanotechnology are: early tracing of viruses, checking and dosage in the delivery of medicines, development of intelligent surgical appliances, development of ultra-thin coatings with exceptional thermo-insulating properties, self-cleaning or scratch-resistant materials.

For more information about  this industry the following websites can be consulted.

Point One, national strategic innovation programme for Nanoelectronics and Embedded Systems:
www.point-one.nl
Holst Centre, (located on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven) is an independent innovation and R&D centre that links scientific strategies to industrial requirements. www.holstcentre.com
Nano4Vitality, a research program of the universities of Twente, Nijmegen and Wageningen. www.nano4vitality.nl
Twente (MESA+) - Institute of the University Twente for Microsystems technology and nanotechnology. www.utwente.nl
TU Delft (Kavli) - Fundamental research into nanoelectronics. www.ns.tudelft.nl 3TU.Federation - The three technical universities, Delft, Eindhoven and Twente. www.3tu.nl
Embedded Systems Institute (ESI). Dutch expertise centre for embedded systems engineering. www.esi.nl
Netherlands Nano Initiative(NNI). www.nanoned.nl

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