Members: 108 (21 different countries)
Chair: Rob Aitken (IOM/SAFENANO, United Kingdom) rob.aitken@iom-world.org

This WG aims to improve knowledge concerning the risks exposure/toxicology/safety/impact, particularly in relation to risk assessment and to contribute to promote safe, sustainable and socially responsible nanotechnology. This WG will try to create synergies among on-going EU activities and networks in the field of safety.

The Safety Research WG aims to improve knowledge concerning the risks/exposure/toxicology/safety/impact of nanotechnology, particularly in relation to risks assessment, and to contribute to the promotion of safe, sustainable, and socially responsible nanotechnology.  A key element is to define and implement an interface process between academia, industry, policy makers and society to facilitate open exchange (data, methods, knowledge) between the stakeholder groups on these issues. This can provide a trusted (independent) information resource which captures, interprets and disseminates the emerging evidence on nanoparticle risk issues. The NANOfutures Coordination Action provides a basis for how this can be achieved. The Safety Research WG will create synergies among ongoing EU activities including the NanoSafetyCluster, the ERANET on safe implementation of innovative Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (SIINN) and the NanoimpactNet network. In the framework of the regulatory research, the WG will closely interact with the regulation and standardisation WGs and will establish contacts with the OECD Working party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPNM) and the Working Party on Nanotechnology (WPN).

As of July 2011 the Safety Research WG, which is chaired by Rob Aitken from the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), has 106 members from a range of backgrounds including government, academia, industry, and consultancy.  Associated with the overall objectives of the WG, the following forum topics have been initiated since January 2011:

• "First meeting of the working group", created by Rob Aitken in January 2011;
• "EFSA’s Scientific Committee public consultation on nano in food", created by Rob Aitken in January 2011; 
• "WG response to ETP needs - your input welcome", created by Rob Aitken in February 2011;
• "Feedback request on Safety Research Actions and documentation for WG meeting", created by Margherita Cioffi in February 2011; 
• "Brief Report of the Safety Research WG meeting in Lausanne 16th February", created by Rob Aitken in February 2011;
• "Presentation made at the WG technical meeting, Brussels, 15th March", created by Sheona Peters in March 2011;
• "SAFENANO Nanotechnology Safety Website Re-launches", created by Sheona Peters in July 2011.

The core activities of the Safety Research WG to date have focussed on the identification of key nodes in strategic nano-activities, stemming from an analysis of the needs of European Technology Platforms (ETPs) and actions identified as important to address these needs. “Safe and Sustainable” has been identified as one of five key nodes, which includes safer processes and products, regulation and the environment. Key actions have been identified in relation to this key node, across the following areas: supply chain gaps; research and technology methods/techniques; TechTransfer and innovation financing; skills and education; standardisation; safety research; communication and networking.A meeting to further progress the “Safe and Sustainable” node will be held in Rome, Italy on the 2nd-3rd November 2011, with invited experts from the NanoSafetyCluster, standardisation and regulatory bodies, industry, industry associations.

Members: 65 (17 different countries)
Chair: Anna Gergely (Steptoe & Johnson LLP, Belgium) AGergely@Steptoe.com

This WG aims to identify the current gaps and possible strategies for the establishment of a suitable regulatory environment which will enables the responsible development of the industry. The WG will establish interactions with current initiatives and networks on industrial-driven voluntary regulation initiatives.The general aim of the Regulation Working Group (WG) of NANOfutures is to facilitate communication among all relevant stakeholders, i.e. regulators in different jurisdictions, all the different industry sectors using nanotechnology, universities/research bodies and the general public. It is essential to build a suitable regulatory framework which can support the competitive development of this nascent technology ensuring that the necessary checks (especially safety) are in place but avoiding stifling innovation and creating barriers to trade.

The Regulation WG is focusing on the following topics:

     I. Communication

• Gathering existing information on regulatory initiatives re nanomaterials and share with ETPs;
• Developing awareness among ETPs re the importance of  regulation;

     II. Sound scientific basis

• Supporting the input from industry to ensure a regulatory framework based on relevant scientific/technical knowledge;
• Supporting the development of a differentiated regulatory framework (as opposed to overarching) supported by sector-specific risk/benefit analysis;

     III. Harmonisation

• Support the efforts towards global regulatory harmonisation

The cornerstone is the interaction with industry in the creation of a regulatory framework. The Regulation WG in collaboration with other WGs makes every effort to mobilise industry in this process.

Members: 73 (19 different countries)
Chair: Michael Stintz (TU Dresden, Germany) michael.stintz@tu-dresden.de

The WG will help identifying cross-sectional gaps and challenges in standardization relevant to nanotechnologies. Example of key topics of interest are: occupational health and safety protocols, measurement and characterization protocols to support hazard and risk assessment of nanomaterials, performance and sustainability assessment.

The WG Standardization aims to identify cross-sectional gaps and challenges in standardization relevant to nanotechnologies. Key topics of interest are:

• Occupational health and safety protocols,
• Measurement and characterization protocols to supporthazard and risk assessment of nanomaterials, performance and sustainability assessment.

In collaboration with the WGs Safety Research, Regulation and Communication and other European Technology Platforms (ETPs) a relevant network can be formed to support responsible and safe nanotech based innovations addressing effectively societal Grand Challenges in Europe. The WG Standardization incorporates by July 2011 72 members.

The main contributions of the WG to NANOfutures have been identified:

• Contribution to the identification of relevant key-nodes for the successful implementation of nanotechnology and nanomaterials based innovations
• Analysis of current activities and networks in the field of standardization issues
• Analysis of recent and on-going EU projects related to standardization issues
• Contribution to the Integrated Industrial and Research Roadmap and related implementation plan, with a focus on standardization issues, through the revision and development of documents, discussions etc.
• Communication and dialogue to stakeholders in the international standardization

By analysing the needs of the ETPs involved in NANOfutures the key-node “Safe and Sustainable” has been identified during the first half of the year 2011. This key-node will start its actions by having its kick of in this autumn in Rome and it will include among others the topics of the WG “Standardization”.

Associated with the above general objectives, since December 2010, the following actions have been undertaken:

• Gathering of existing information on international standardization of nanotechnology and nanomaterials based innovations and sharing with ETPs and the participating organizations,
• Contributions (invited papers) to the Seminar on "Standards and standardization as a tool for the dissemination and implementation of research results", DG Research, Brussels, 14th December 2010, see also Peter Hatto: Standards and Standardization Handbook. Ed. by EC, Directorate-General for Research, Directorate G - Industrial Technologies, Unit G1, 2010 (http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/pdf/handbook-standardisation_en.pdf),
• Coordination of standardization activities for safety related to nanoparticles (NanoRef initiative) together with ETP on Industrial Safety (ETPIS) and Nanodevice,
• Nanodevice, ETPIS and NANOfutures with the support of CEN TC 352 organise a workshop "Coordination of Standardization activities related to NanoSafety" on September 14, 2011, to investigate the possible synergies and opportunities from on-going projects for standardization activities in the field of nanosafety (http://www.industrialsafety-tp.org/news.aspx?lan=230&tab=148&nid=458#n458).

A next WG Standardization meeting is foreseen as a side event at Nanotech Italy 2011 on 23-25 November 2011 in Venice.

Members: 175 (28 different countries)
Chair: Udo Gommel (Fraunhofer IPA, Germany) udo.gommel@ipa.fraunhofer.de

The activity of this WG is aimed at focusing European strategic efforts on key aspects related to nano research and technology. For all the key issues, it is necessary to work on roadmaps, vision papers, etc. for supplying and establishing accessible instruments. The WG Research and Technology aims at focusing European strategic research efforts on key aspects related to nano research and technology. This will overcome the fragmentation of European Research, which then will lead to a combined dominated position relevant to nanotechnologies.

Key topics of interest are:

In collaboration with the WGs Industrialisation & nanomanufacturing, Safety Research, Technology Transfer & Innovation Financing, and other European Technology Platforms (ETPs) a relevant network can be formed to support responsible and safe nanotech based innovations addressing effectively societal Grand Challenges in Europe.

The main contributions of the WG to NANOfutures have been identified:

• Coordination of research and industry activities to align them with Nanofutures goals and to contribute to roadmap, vision paper and strategic research agenda.
• Monitoring foresight and trends especially on technological and scientific points of view with regards to the needs of the industry.
• Exchange of basic knowledge between researchers from Universities and Research Centres in different regions and support for technology transfer to the industry.
• By carrying out action plans for supplying and establishing accessible instruments.
• Close interaction with other existing CAs such as: NanoCom (analysis of barriers and best practices related to nanotechnology commercialization) and ProNano (support and coaching for commercialization of public funded projects).
• Interaction with MINAM2.0 by consistent contribution to the roadmapping activities;
• Communication and dialogue to stakeholders in the international communities and forums

Associated with the above general objectives, since December 2010, the following actions have been undertaken:

Members: 143 (23 different countries)
Chair: Donato Zangani (D'Appolonia, Italy) donato.zangani@dappolonia.it

This WG aims to create an open, networked and adaptive nanotechnology innovation system by developing Technology Transfer and Innovation Financing services and strategies. NANOfutures will promote technology transfer of nanotechnologies from different sectors to the industrial sectors of relevance to the involved ETPs, linking together network of excellence on nanotechnology. The Technology Transfer & Innovation Financing WG aims at creating an open, networked and adaptive nanotechnology innovation system by developing/making available and known Technology Transfer and Innovation Financing services and strategies.

The TT&IF WG is also promoting technology transfer of nanotechnologies from different sectors, addressing in particular the industrial sectors of relevance to the involved ETPs, linking together networks of excellence on nanotechnology. The WG has cooperated with other CSAs, in particular ProNano (innovation consultancy services); NanoCom (open-innovation models; results of the analysis of best practices in nanotechnology innovation) and ano2Market (best practices for IPR management and protection).

Associated with the above general objectives, since January 2011, the following forums have been initiated within the WG:

• “Nanotechnology researchers need to approach investors to reach the market”, created by Elena Gaboardi on June 2011;
• “ProNano Coordinator about coaching experiences”, by Andrea Elisabeth Reinhardt on May 2011;
• “Nano to Market - results of NanoCom - EC supported action”, by Andrea Elisabeth Reinhardt on May 2011
• “Overcome Barriers on the way to market - CSA ProNano”, initiated by Andrea Elisabeth Reinhardt on April 2011
• “New Patent Classification for Nanotechnology” created by Robert Harrison on March 2011;
• “Your feedback on Technology Transfer and Innovation Financing Actions”, by Margherita Cioffi on February 2011;
• “Technology Licensing Royalty Rates”, by Robert Harrison on January 2011.

The WG activities have been presented in January 2011 in Bruxelles focusing in particular on the activities related to the definition of the key nodes and the needed actions of relevance for the TT&IF WG.  According to the survey carried out, the top TT&IF needed actions resulted TT from academia to industry and cross-sectorial TT programmes. When safety issues are concerned, extra-EU trans-national cooperation & networking actions become more important. Actions targeted to SMEs, including involvement of investors and investment readiness programmes for SMEs, seem more relevant when manufacturing and cost reduction issues are involved.

A TT event is foreseen at Nanotech Italy 2011 on 23-25 November 2011 in Venice, it is organised by Veneto Nanotech and AIRI Nanotech. A matchmaking session with one-to-one meetings related to NANOfutures members will be organised by the TT&IF WG to take place on the first day. NANOfutures members will benefit of a special discount fee.

Members: 76 (20 different countries)
Chair: Costas Kiparissides (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece) cypress@certh.gr

This WG will develop a set of strategies to promote an effective and interdisciplinary education and training of R&D personnel involved in nanotechnology together with a strong entrepreneurial mindset. A key issue could be the fast transfer of basic knowledge from research to application by education in “learning factories” equipped with new solutions for information supply like ubiquitous computing, wireless technology and navigation systems. The WG Skills & Education aims to develop a set of strategies to promote an effective and interdisciplinary education and training of R&D personnel involved in nanotechnology together with a strong entrepreneurial mindset.

The work performed by the WG Skills & Education during the first year of the project can be summarized as follows:

Preparation of an extensive report on nanotechnology degree programs in Europe in comparison to those in North America. The “Nanoeducation Report” addresses the geographical allocation of the programs, the degree types, the disciplines and areas of interest, the motivation for the development of such programs, the barriers to their development, the involvement of industry (learning factories), etc. Identification of European research projects (e.g., FP7, FP6, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Transversal Programmes, Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Co-operation with industrialised countries) on Skills & Education for nanotechnology within the period 2007-2011. Mapping of the EU Research Centers (i.e., Universities, Research Institutes, Companies) that participated in these projects. Identification of Skills & Education WG priorities (i.e., address skills needs for nanotechnology related positions (scientists and technicians), consensus on the most effective curriculum and teaching  / training methods, greater involvement of industry in academic curriculum development, transdisciplinary approach (collaboration between departments, schools & institutions), strong connection with nanotechnology research facilities and related programs, learning factories, education/training of faculty members to teach nanotechnology aspects) to address the needs of the European Technology Platforms (ETP). Ranking of S&E WG priorities with respect to first level and second level clustering according to the feedback from S&E WG members. Presentation of findings.

Members: 121 (20 different countries)
Chair: David Gonzalez (PRODINTEC, Spain) dgf@prodintec.com

The main goal of the Networking WG within the NANOfutures initiative is to coordinate the activities of stakeholders at regional and national level. This should align financial institutions, industry, research institutions and universities and civil society with the new platform objectives. This WG intends to create an environment that stimulates innovation and to provide firms with the incentive to perform R&D and innovative activities at trans-national level in nanotechnology.

Main WG aim:

The main objective of the Networking WG within the NANOfutures initiative is to coordinate the activities of stakeholders at Regional and National level. This should align financial institutions, industry, research institutions and universities, civil society, etc. with the new Platform objectives. This WG intends to create an environment that stimulates innovation and to provide members with the incentive to perform R&D and innovative activities at trans-national level in nanotechnology.

Main Activities:

• Exchange and dissemination of good practises between stakeholders
• Promotion of collaborative projects between stakeholders from different regions.
• Organization of international technology transfer events where stakeholders can be aware of the last developments in nanotechnology field and of potential applications in lead markets.
• Promotion of training courses describing nanotechnology industrial applications particularly addressed to SMEs.
• Influence on development agencies and financial organisms responsible for the development and implementation of innovation policies at regional and national level.
• Promotion of basic knowledge Exchange between researcher from Universities and Research Centres in different regions and support for technology transfer to the industry.

Main mechanisms:

• Technology Transfer events
• Working Group meetings
• Participation in conferences and workshops
• Ad hoc meeting with stakeholders
• Communication tools: 2.0, Newsletter, emails, leaflets,...

Main actions carried out:

• Identification and participation in conferences/events to promote NANOfutures Platform and inform possible new stakeholders. (8th European Cluster conference, AERODAYS 2011, IMAGINENANO, EURONANOFORUM 2011).
• Identification and contact with European most innovative clusters working on nanotechnology and clusters susceptible of using it to find synergies and approach  links for possible collaborations in projects, services...(info in document D3.3)
• Identification of collaborative projects calls where Platform members could participate (PPPs, NMP...)
• Contacts with main organisations (ERRIN, Europa InterCluster, European Entreprise Network, to align policies and objectives, avoid duplications and involve new stakeholders.
• Contacts with sectorial Technology Platforms related to nanotechnology at national level.

The objective of this WG is to support the NANOfutures working groups and nano community. The members seek to integrate the knowledge and experiences of industry, SME and academia, speed up sharing and manage the path of emerging issues by tacking stock of trends, challenges, concerns, laws and regulations. In our first year the WG communication worked in strong cooperation with the networking group for the development of the key nodes. We set up web pages and interaction tools, supported the related events and the work in the other WGs, but also activities outside NANOfutures e.g. within international cooperation frames. We are also taking care of the multi channel based sharing the latest information about topics discussed in working and key node groups and disseminate the information coming from NANOfutures and the supporting projects (via Nanopaprika, Twitter, Xing, Linkedin, newsletters a.s.o). Within our strategic work we discuss the today practice in nano communication and how our project can contribute for a faster uptake of best practice. Using Skype, t-conferences, online postings and the personal meetings we try to keep all as transparent as possible and also simple for to contribute (even if travelling to the events is not possible for all).

Our next meeting will be together with the other working groups at Nanotech Italy on Nov 22nd - 23rd.

Please feel free to join the working groups.