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

EU-Digest

Germany - Communications, Science and Technology: CeBIT 2013 focuses on 'shareconomy'

After the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the digital world is now gathering in Hanover. But while the events in Las Vegas and Barcelona focused on the latest smartphones and tablets, starting from today, CeBIT  will paint a picture of the whole digital business, its connections with the traditional industry and above all, what the consumers have from the latest technology.

Frank Pörschmann, the head of CeBIT, believes the fair's form and structure is unique. "It focuses on the whole technology sector - IT, telecommunications, electronics and content and all that comes out of this system and network," he told DW.

With its large number of exhibitors and countries represented, CeBIT is still the biggest event of its kind in the world. But most all, said Pörschmann, "it is the most important one. It's where the innovations and the industry business are pushed forward."

This year, CeBIT's theme is "shareconomy" - a growing trend among users to share not only digital data on the Internet, but also organize sharing models for material products - this is especially the case among most young people who share knowledge, experience and music. Cars and bikes can be hired on an hourly basis online. And this year, CeBIT visitors can get a sense of this growing trend.

Knowledge is the only resource that multiplies when it is shared, said Porschmann, "That's the core of what we are seeing today on social networks - in the age of Twitter and Facebook." People are sharing knowledge, contacts and experiences.

"And that - what I call facebookisation - is also a growing trend in the economy. Through it,  the availability of knowledge as a scarce resource is widened - that can help the economy development faster and bring about innovation."

Read more: CeBIT 2013 focuses on 'shareconomy' | Sci-Tech | DW.DE | 04.03.2013

Europe 2020 : Europe to unite research efforts in Silicon Europe cluster alliance

Four of the leading micro- and nanoelectronics regions in Europe are joining forces to form a cluster alliance called “Silicon Europe.” The four groups, Silicon Saxony (Dresden/Germany), DSP Valley (Belgium), Minalogic (Grenoble/France) and Point One (Eindhoven/Netherlands), will be cooperating in research, development and business expertise.

Together they represent about 800 research institutes and companies, which account for more than 150,000 jobs; among the companies are global market leaders such as Philips, NXP, Globalfoundries, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, Schneider Electric und Thales.

This is a three year effort, as shown in the diagram. “We want to set up a joint action plan that is organized between the four clusters,” said Frank Bösenberg, in charge of administration of Silicon Europe, speaking at a press conference in Dresden. “Not only this, in the third year, we also want to start implementing this action plan. It’s not only about creating paper, but doing some action. In addition to this, we want to involve if possible additional European players.”

Read more: Europe to unite research efforts in Silicon Europe cluster alliance - ElectroIQ