Nanoscience andNanotechnology

in SPAIN

Funded by In collaboration with Coordinated and edited by

Coordinator

Antonio Correia (Phantoms Foundation)

Design and Layout

Carmen Chacón (Phantoms Foundation)Viviana Estêvão (Phantoms Foundation) Maite Fernández (Phantoms Foundation) Concepción Narros (Phantoms Foundation) José Luis Roldán (Phantoms Foundation)

Experts

Adrian Bachtold - Carbon nanotubes and GrapheneFundació Privada Institut Català de Nanotecnologia (ICN), Barcelona

Antonio Correia - Introduction - Preface Phantoms Foundation and NanoSpain Network Coordinator, Madrid

Viviana Estêvão - Introduction Phantoms Foundation, Madrid

Ricardo García - Scanning Probe MicroscopyInstituto de Microelectrónica de Madrid (IMM-CNM, CSIC), Madrid

Francisco Guinea - Carbon nanotubes and GrapheneInstituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM, CSIC), Madrid

Wolfgang Maser - Carbon nanotubes and GrapheneInstituto de Carboquímica (ICB, CSIC), Zaragoza

Rodolfo Miranda - NanomaterialsIMDEA: Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Nanosciences (Imdea Nanociencia)

Xavier Obradors - Nanomaterials for EnergyMaterials Science Institute of Barcelona, Barcelona

Roberto Otero - Nanomaterials IMDEA: Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Nanosciences (Imdea Nanociencia)

Francesc Pérez-Murano - Nanoelectronics and Molecular Electronics Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Barcelona

Emilio Prieto - Nanometrology, nano-eco-toxicology and standardizationSpanish Centre of Metrology (CEM), Madrid

Stephan Roche - Carbon nanotubes and GrapheneCentre d’ Investigació en Nanociencia y Nanotecnología (CIN2, ICN-CSIC), Barcelona

Juan José Sáenz - Theory and Simulation Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid

Josep Samitier - Nanomedicine Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and Universitat of Barcelona, Barcelona

Pedro A. Serena - Introduction Instituto de Ciencias de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), Madrid

Niek van Hulst - Nanooptics and NanophotonicsThe Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Barcelona

Jaume Veciana - Nanochemistry Instituto de Ciencia Materiales de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Barcelona

DisclaimerThe Phantoms Foundation has exercised due diligence in the preparation and reporting of information contained in thisbook, obtaining information from reliable sources.The contents/opinions expressed in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect views of the PhantomsFoundation.

Preface

Introduction

Nanoscience & Nanotecnology in Spain: Research Topics

Emerging N&N Centers in Spain

Annex I: Spanish Nanotechnology Network (NanoSpain) / Statistics

Annex II: R&D funding

Annex III: Publications / Statistics

Annex IV: Spain Nanotechnology Companies (Catalogue)

Annex V: NanoSpain Conferences

Annex VI: Maps for relevant Spanish Initiatives

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Considering the fast and continuousevolvements in the interdisciplinary field ofNanotechnology, Institutions such as thePhantoms Foundation and national initiativessuch as the Spanish Nanotechnology Network“NanoSpain”, should help identifying andmonitoring the new emerging fields of research,drivers of interest for this Community, inparticular in Spain.

Therefore, this second version of the report“Nanoscience & Nanotechnology in Spain”provides insights by identifying R&D directionsand priorities in Spain. Moreover, it aims to be avalid source of guidance, not only for thescientific community but also for the industry.

This report covers a wide range of interdisciplinaryareas of research and development, such asGraphene, Nanochemistry, Nanomedicine, CarbonNanotubes, Nanomaterials for Energy, Modelling,etc., and provides insights in these areas, currentlyvery active worldwide and particularly in Spain. Italso provides an outlook of the entire Spanishnanotechnology system, including nearly 250research institutions and over 50 companies.

Expected impact of initiatives such as thisdocument is to enhance visibility, communicationand networking between specialists in severalfields, facilitate rapid information flow, look forareas of common ground between different

technologies and therefore shape andconsolidate the Spanish and European researchcommunities.

I hope you will enjoy reading this document, acollection of ten chapters written by researcherswho are at the forefront of their field in N&N,and look forward to the next edition beginningof 2013 which will explore some new strategicresearch areas.

I would also like to thank all the authors andreviewers for turning this project into reality.

The EditorDr. Antonio CorreiaPhantoms Foundation(Madrid, Spain)

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P R E F A C E

> ANTONIO CORREIA

Place and date of birthParis (France), 1966

EducationPhD in Materials Science, Universidad Paris 7, 1993

ExperienceAntonio Correia has over 15 years’ experience with projects and initiatives related with Nanoscience and Nanotechnology networking. He isauthor or co-author of 60 scientific papers in international journals and guest Editor of several books. Antonio Correia is currently Presidentof the Phantoms Foundation (Spain) and Coordinator/Board member of several EU funded projects (nanoICT, AtMol, MULT-EU-SIM, nanoCODE,nanomagma, COST “BioInspired Nanotechnologies”) or initiatives (NanoSpain, M4nano, ICEX Spanish Nanotechnology plan, etc.). Chairmanof several conferences (TNT, Nanospain, Imaginenano or Graphene), he is also editor of the Enano newsletter published by the PhantomsFoundation.

antonio@phantomsnet.net

> VIVIANA ESTÊVÃO

Place and date of birthCaldas da Rainha (Portugal), 1982

Education• Degree in Public Relations & Advertising, INP, 2004.

• Master Degree in Digital Marketing, EUDE.

ExperienceWorks at Phantoms Foundation since January 2010 after a long period working in United

Kingdom and Portugal as Marketing Researcher & Communications Account within abroad range of sectors & clients.

viviana@phantomsnet.net

> PEDRO A. SERENA

Place and date of birthMadrid (Spain), 1962

Education• Degree in Physical Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid,1985• PhD in Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 1990

ExperienceResearcher at the Madrid Materials Science Institute (ICMM) ofSpanish National Research Council (CSIC). His research interestsinclude the theoretical study of mechanical and electricalproperties of nanosized and low-dimensional systems (metallicsurfaces, clusters and nanowires, viral capsids, etc). He is co-author of 125 articles published in international and nationaljournals covering different topics: basic science, scientificdissemination, scientific policy, technologies convergence,prospective studies, sustainable development, etc. He has beeneditor of the book “Nanowires” (Kluwer,1997), and co-author of

the “Unidad Didáctica sobre Nanotecnología” (FECyT, Spain, 2009)and author of the book “¿Qué sabemos de la nanotecnología?”

(CSIC-La Catarata, 2010). He was coordinator (2000-2003) of theNanoscience Network and co-founder and co-coordinator (2000-2005)

of the NanoSpain Network. Since 2002 to 2005 he was Deputy Directorof the ICMM . From 2007 he has been working as Advisor/Assistant of

the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation to manage the StrategicAction in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.From 2006 is secretary of the

Scientific Advisory Board of the Madrid Science Park and from 2010 is memberof the CSIC Scientific Advisory Committee.

pedro.serena@icmm.csic.es

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1. Introduction

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (N&N) havebecome a rapidly growing research anddevelopment (R&D) field that is cutting acrossmany traditional research topics. Nowadays theability to construct nano-objects and nano-devices provides novel advanced materials andastonishing devices and will lead to the futuredevelopment of fully functional nano-machinesand nano-materials, virtually having an effect onevery manufactured product, the production andstorage of energy, and providing a host of medicalapplications ranging from in situ and real timediagnostics to tissue regeneration. N&N are morethan simply the next frontier in miniaturization,since the properties of materials and devicesdramatically change when their characteristicdimensions moves down the nanoscale, revealingan entirely new world of possibilities.

2. Potential nanotechnology applications andtheir social impact

The evaluation of the expected impact of atechnology wave is always an uncertain business.Yet there seems little doubt that the very natureof nanotechnology will precipitate importantchanges, the only question is its timetable. In thecase of N&N, perhaps, the first measurableimpact has been its effect on the media. In adecade everything 'nano' has gone from non-

existent to being object of extensive articles andreports in scientific and non-scientific journals,as well as to be a favorite discussion topic in webpages, forums and blogs in Internet.

When we speak about social impact, we arereferring to the capacity of Nanotechnology togenerate applications and devices that willinduce true changes in our daily life, our jobs, ourhomes, our health, etc. N&N will fundamentallyrestructure the technologies currently used formanufacturing, medicine, security, defence,energy production and storage, environmentalmanagement, transportation, communication,computation and education. Given themultidisciplinary character of N&N, the list ofexpected application areas is very long.

The broad scope of N&N applications will affectdifferent aspects of the activity of human beings.Nevertheless, we can highlight that many ofthese applications are focused on theimprovement of human health, whereas otherswill facilitate a more sustainable economicdevelopment allowing the optimization ofresources and diminishing environmental impact.

3. Nanotechnology Research Funding

Nanoscience, transformed in Nanotechnology, istaking now its first steps outside the laboratoriesand many small and large companies are

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launching a first wave of nanoproducts into themarkets. However, the actual power ofNanotechnology resides in an immense potentialfor the manufacture of consumer goods that, inmany cases, will not be commercialized before acouple of decades, thus bringing tangible andpromising results for the economy. Because thishuge expected economic impact,nanotechnology has roused great interest amongthe relevant public and private R&D stakeholdersof the world’s most developed countries: fundingagencies, scientific policymakers, organisations,institutions and companies.

N&N represent one of the fastest growing areasof R&D. In the period of 1997-2005 worldwideinvestment in Nanotechnology research anddevelopment has increased approximately ninetimes, from US$ 432 million to US$ 4200 million.This represents an average annual growth rate of32%. A great example is the NationalNanotechnology Initiative (NNI) that wasestablished in 2000 and links 25 federal agenciesclosely related to activities in N&N. NNI budgetallocated to the federal departments and agenciesincreased from US$ 464 million in 2001 toapproximately US$ 1700 million in 2009. For 2011the funding request for nanotechnology researchand development (R&D) in 15 federaldepartments and agencies is US$ 1760 million,reflecting a continuous growth in strategiccollaboration to accelerate the discovery anddeployment of nanotechnology. In addition to thefederal initiative, an important effort has beencarried out by the different US state governments,as well as companies (Motorola, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Amgen, Abbot Lab., Agilent, etc).

Industrialized Asian countries have promotedthe development of Nanotechnology from theindustrial and governmental sectors, withinvestments similar to those of USA. Countriesas Taiwan and Korea have made a great effort tokeep their current privileged positions in the

control of Nanotechnology know-how. Accordingto Mihail Roco, Japan increased their budgetfrom US$ 245 million in 2000 to US$ 950 millionin 2009, proving a significant rising of theinvestment from the Japanese Government.Taiwanese, Japanese and South Koreancompanies are leading the Nanotechnologyinvestments in their respective countries. In themeantime, China has become a key player in theNanotechnology field, leading sectors as thefabrication of nanoparticles and nanomaterials.Countries as Israel, Iran, India, Singapore,Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have launchedspecific programmes to promote the use ofNanotechnologies in many industrial sectors withlocal or regional impact (manufacture, textile,wood, agriculture, water remediation, etc).

Europe has intensively promotedNanotechnology within the VI (FP6) and the VII(FP7) Framework Programme through thematicAreas denominated NMP1 and ICT2. During theperiod of 2003-2006 the budget for NMP was1429 million Euros and a remarkable increase of3475 million Euros for funding N&N over theduration of FP7 (2007-2013). There’s a provencommitment of the EU to strengthen research inEurope. Initiatives involving not only increasedinvestment, but also stronger coordination andcollaboration between all stakeholders like theFET flagship (ICT) are being implemented. Inorder to improve the competitiveness ofEuropean industry, to generate and ensuretransformation from a resource-intensive to aknowledge-intensive industry were created theFET Flagships Initiatives. FET-Proactive acts as apathfinder for the ICT program by fosteringnovel non-conventional approaches,foundational research and supporting initialdevelopments on long-term research andtechnological innovation in selected themes.Under the FP7 program were created AMOL-IT,nanoICT and Towards Zero-Power ICT projects inorder to focus resources on visionary and

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challenging long-term goals that are timely andhave strong potential for future impact. Therehas been a boom of European initiativesdedicated to develop and popularizeNanotechnology and this area maintains itsoutstanding role in the FP7 Program.

Among the EU members, Germany stands rightat the forefront of international Nanoscienceand is considered as a key location for nanoresearch. The Federal Government byexceptional funding programs is helping to turnGermany into the leading nano spot. In 2008about 430 million Euros were invested by publicfunding in Nanotechnology. Nowadays, around740 companies work on the development,application and distribution of nanotechnologyproducts. Following similar long term strategies,on December 2009, French Governmentunveiled a 35000 million Euros national bond toprepare France for the challenges of the future.The spending spree over the coming yearscontemplates higher education and research asthe main priorities, among others. Part of thisamount will be applied to create new Campus ofExcellence, develop research teams, boostcompetitiveness and increase efforts inbiotechnology and nanotechnology. TheNanoNextNL3 (2011-2016) consortium inNetherlands which supports research in the fieldof nano and microtechnology is another greatexample of the efforts made by the Europeancountries. This initiative embrace 114 partnersand the total sum involved is 250 million Euros,half of which is contributed by the collaborationof more than one hundred businesses,universities, knowledge institutes and universitymedical centres and the other half by theMinistry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture andInnovation. NanoNextNL is the successor ofNanoNed and MicroNed programmes whichwere also greatly supported. In the same line,we must mention the Austrian NANO Initiative,a multi-annual funding programme for N&N that

coordinates NANO measures on the nationaland regional levels and is supported by severalMinistries, Federal provinces and Fundinginstitutions, under the overall control of theBMVIT Federal Ministry for Transport,Innovation and Technology. The orientation andthe structure of the Austrian NANO Initiativehave been developed jointly with scientists,entrepreneurs and intermediaries. The AustrianNANO Initiative4 has funded nine RTD projectclusters involving more than 200 Austriancompanies and research institutions.

EU authorities have also taken into accountserious concerns on Nanotechnology, appearingin diverse social and economic forums during thelast decade, in relation with its possibleenvironmental and health effects. These non-desired drawbacks would provide a negativesocial perception on the development onNanotechnology and could lead to an unexpectedcut of private and public investments, with thesubsequent delay in the arrival of the bunch ofpromised goods, devices and materials. In orderto allow a coherent (rational, sustainable, non-aggressive, etc) development of Nanotechnology,the EU has promoted basic and applied researchon nanoecotoxicology and different studies onsocial perception on N&N. Simultaneously,several EU Departments have launched initiativesto improve the communication anddissemination among population on the futureadvances and risks that Nanotechnology willbring. A good example is the European ProjectNanoCode5, funded under the ProgramCapacities, in the area Science in Society, withinthe 7th Framework Program (FP7) which startedin January 2010 in order to implement theEuropean Code of Conduct for ResponsibleNanosciences & Nanotechnologies.

In addition, EU has also promoted the generationof knowledge based on Nanotechnologyemphasizing the role of this techno-scientific area

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as foundation for future convergence with otherdisciplines such as Biotechnology, Medicine,Cognitive Science, Communications andInformation Technologies, Social Sciences, etc.

4. Nanotechnology in Spain: a successful history

At the end of 90´s, Spain had not anyinstitutional framework nor initiative pointedtowards the support and promotion of R&D inNanotechnology. This fact pushed the scientificcommunity to promote several initiatives tostrengthen research in Nanotechnology and, atthe same time, to raise the awareness of PublicAdministration and industry about the need tosupport this emergent field.

Among the initiatives that emerged in Spain inthis last decade we can highlight the creation ofseveral thematic networks with a strongmultidisciplinary character. These networks have

enabled communication between scientificcommunities and different areas, improving theinteraction between Spanish groups andimproving the visibility of this community.NanoSpain network6 is the clearest example ofself-organization of scientists that helped topromote to the authorities and the general publicthe existence of this new knowledge, in order togenerate and achieve competitive science, whichcan result into high value added products in thenear future. NanoSpain network comprisesnearly 300 R&D groups (See Annex I) fromuniversities, research centers and companies,distributed throughout the country. These groupsrespresent a research task force formed by morethan 2000 scientists working in N&N. Despitebeing the meeting point of the continuouslyincreasing Spanish nanotechnology community,NanoSpain network has received little supportfrom Spanish Administration in contrast to thosenetworks established in other countries.

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Figure 1. Regional Distribution of research groups – NanoSpain Network. (As of March 31, 2010).

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Another Spanish initiative, which emerged fromthe scientific community and has become aninternational benchmark, is the celebration ofeleven consecutive editions of the conference"Trends in Nanotechnology"7. These meetings,a true showcase of Spanish nanoscience andnanotechnology, attracted the most prestigiousinternational researchers, improving thevisibility of Spanish scientists. The internationalevent, ImagineNano8, is also a step further, ameeting that gather nearly 1500 participantsfrom all over the world, combining within thesame initiative a set of high impact conferencesand an industry exhibition with more than 160institutions/companies.

In early 2003 the initiatives launched by thescientific community (networks, workshops,conferences) related to nanotechnology led to theincorporation of the Strategic Action inNanoscience and Nanotechnology in the NationalPlan R+D+I for the 2004-2007 period. ThisStrategic Action has had its continuity in thecurrent National Plan (2008-2011), also includingtopics related to new materials and productiontechnologies. Both strategic actions maintained anincreasing rate of investment in nanotechnologyin the period of 2004-2009. For example, theeffort made by the General State Administration(GSA) in the implementation of N&N has beenover 82 million Euros in 2008. During the 2004-2007 period the Strategic Action focused on smallscale projects whereas during the 2008-2011period the funding was mainly allocated to large

scale initiatives as the building of new R&Dcenters or public-private consortia and platforms.

The International Campus of Excellence programwas discussed in 2008, first staged competitivelyin 2009 and in 2010 became firmly establishedand aims to put major Spanish universities amongthe best in Europe, promoting internationalrecognition and supporting the strengths of theSpanish university system. The program ismanaged by the Ministry of Education incollaboration with other ministries and supportedby the Autonomous Communities. In many cases,as the Excellence Campus of UniversidadAutónoma de Madrid or the UniversidadAutónoma de Barcelona include remarkableactivities related to the promotion of N&N.

Under the policies of the General StateAdministration (GSA), the Ingenio 2010 programthrough programs such as CENIT, CONSOLIDERand AVANZA, allowed many economic resourcesin strategic areas such as nanotechnology.Currently, 8 CONSOLIDER and 9 CENIT projectsare related to nanotechnology, with a total GSAfunding of 37.9 and 127.8 million Euros,respectively. In the case of CENIT projects,participating companies provided an additionalamount of 127.8 M €. Over the next few yearswe expect to see the results of these initiativesthrough several indicators. Another importantinitiative is the Biomedical Research Networkingcenter in Bioengineering, Biomaterials andNanomedicine9 (CIBER-BBN), a consortia,created under the leadership of the “Carlos IIIHealth Institute” (ISCIII) to promote researchexcellence in bioengineering and biomedicalimaging, biomaterials and tissue engineering andnanomedicine, diagnosis and monitoring andrelated technologies for specific treatments suchas regenerative medicine and nanotherapies.

In addition to GSA strategies, the regionalgovernments expressed with more or less

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Table 1. Fiscal effort made by Spanish government in the field ofNanoscience and Nanotechnology in the year 2008 (Source: Ministryof Science and Innovation of Spain).

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emphasis their interest in nanotechnology,including this topic in its regional plans of R&Dand encouraging the creation of new regionalnetworks. However, most palpable manifestationof the widespread interest in nanotechnology isthe establishment of new research centers asjoint projects of the Ministry of Science andInnovation, Autonomous Communities andUniversities. (See Annex VI and Fig. 2).

The International Iberian NanotechnologyLaboratory10 (INL) is the result of a joint decisionof the Governments of Portugal and Spain, takenin November 2005 whereby both countriesmade clear their commitment to a strongcooperation in ambitious science andtechnology joint ventures for the future. Thenew laboratory is established by Portugal andSpain, but in the future will be open to the

membership of other countries of Europe andother regions of the world.

Some of the centers indicated in Fig. 2 are underconstruction and are expected to be fullyoperational during the decade 2010-2020. Thisset of centers, along with those already existingin the public research organizations, the networkof Singular Scientific and TechnologicalInfrastructures forms a system of huge potentialforms research in nanoscience andnanotechnology. The task of knowledgegeneration must be completed by the technologytransfer offices of universities and public researchorganizations, the Technology Centers, and themany Science and Technology Parks that havebeen successfully implemented in Spain11. Alsoemerge thematic "nano-networks" and “nano-platforms” oriented to productive sectors as

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Figure 2. Emerging N&N Centers in Spain.

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RENAC12 (Network for the application ofnanotechnologies in construction and habitatmaterials and products), SUSCHEM13 (SpanishTechnology Platform on Sustainable Chemistry),GÉNESIS14 (Spanish Technology Platform onNanotechnology and Smart Systems Integration),NANOMED15 (Spanish Nanomedicine Platform),MATERPLAT16 (Spanish Technological Platform onAdvanced Materials and Nanomaterials) orFotonica2117 (The Spanish Technology Platform ofPhotonics), among many others.

These strategies for generation and transfer ofknowledge are reinforced by othercomplementary activities aimed at both theinternationalization of our scientific-technologicalresults and the dissemination of science. As anexample of the internationalization, the SpanishInstitute of Foreign Trade (ICEX), through its"Technology Plan" in Nanotechnology(coordinated by Phantoms Foundation)encourages external promotion activities ofresearch centers and companies, enabling theparticipation of Spain with pavilions andinformative points in several internationalexhibitions as Nanotech Japan (2008-2011), oneof the most important events in nanotechnology,NSTI fair (2009) in U.S. and Taiwan Nano (2010)18.

More recently, a catalogue of N&N companies inSpain was compiled by Phantoms Foundation andfunded by ICEX and gives a general overview ofthe enterprises working in this field. Since theyear of 2000 until 2010, were created 36companies mainly in nanomaterials,nanocomposites, nanobio and nanoparticles. Sofar 60 companies performing R&D in nanoscienceand nanotechnology are listed and is predicted asignificant increase in the upcoming years.

In terms of outreach efforts we can mentionseveral initiatives. On one hand the edition of thefirst book in N&N issued by the SpanishFoundation for Science and Technology (FECYT),

designed to spread among teachers in secondaryand high school education along with booksdevoted to N&N dissemination that have beenrecently issued. On the other hand, events as“Atom by Atom” or “Passion for Knowledge”disclose the progresses, challenges andimplications of various “nano-areas” to a broadand general audience. Furthermore, initiatives asthe SPMAGE international contest19 of SPM(Scanning Probe Microscopy) images or theexhibition “A walk around the nanoworld” aresuccesful initiatives to disseminate N&N. Recently,an Iberoamerican Network for Dissemination andTraining in N&N (NANODYF)20 has been funded bythe Iberoamerican Programme for Science andTechnology (CYTED) in order to promote formaland non-formal education of N&N inIberoamerican countries where more than 460million people communicate in Spanish.

One could say that in this last decade we haveseen an explosion of initiatives in the field ofnanotechnology. All initiatives represent a clearcommitment that Spain is situated in themedium term between the group of countriesthat can lead the change towards a knowledge-based society. However, it is necessary tomaintain a constant tension to strengthen thesettlement of all initiatives. The short-termchallenge is to continue the investement,despite being in an economic crisis, and improvecoordination of all players involved in the R+D+I.The next decade will confirm whether effortshave been sufficient to be amongst the mostadvanced economies, fulfilling the expectationsfor nanotechnology as an engine of Spanishindustry in 2020. Everything achieved so far hasrequired a great effort, but still we have a R&Dsystem relatively weak compared with thosecountries which we want to look like. Any changein the sustained investment policies in our R&Dsystem can take us back several years, as budgetcuts are announced to overcome this period ofcrisis they can also be very harmful in an

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emerging issue as nanotechnology. We hopethese cuts are punctual and that soon will regainthe road of support R&D&I.

In the meantime, before recovering the previousmomentum, we need to implement newstrategies intended to keep the path we startedten years ago under a more restrictive economicscenario. These strategies must be based in fewingredients, including among others: (i) thestimulus of the dialogue between SpainMinistries and Regional Goverments, on oneside, and scientific community using existingnetworks that must be suitably funded on theother; (ii) the increasing coordination of researchcentres and large scale infrastrutures in order tooptimize the access to scientific services ofpublic and private groups; (iii) to enhace public-private cooperation through TechnologyPlatforms, Industry Networks and Science andTechnology Parks; (iv) an actual support to smallN&N spin-offs emerging from research centres,(v) the formation of a new generation of PhDstudents and technicians highly skilled formultidisciplinary research through specifictraining programs (Master and PhD courses);and (vi) the involvement of society through welldesigned dissemination activities usingemerging communication technologies.

5. Conclusions

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology representscientific-technical areas that in less than twodecades have gone from being in the hands of areduced group of researchers who glimpsedtheir great potential, to constitute one of therecognized pillars of the scientific advance forthe next decades. The ability to manipulate thematter on atomic scale opens the possibility ofdesigning and manufacturing new materials anddevices of nanometric size. This possibility willalter the methods of manufacturing in factories,allowing for greater process optimization and

automation, and therefore contributing to globalsustainable development. On the other hand,the nanotechnological revolution will speed upthe seemingly unstoppable expansion of theinformation technologies, and causing theglobalization of the economy, the spreading ofideas, the access to the different sources ofknowledge, the improvement of the educativesystems, etc, to increase vertiginously. Finally, theirruption of the Nanotechnologies will directlyaffect human beings by substantially improvingdiagnosis and treatment of diseases, and also ourcapacities to interact with our surroundings.

Right now we are facing a powerful scientificparadigm with a multidisciplinary character,where Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, Physics,Medicine, Materials Science, and Modelling-Computation converge. Establishing linksbetween the scientific communities, looking forcontact points and promoting the existence ofmultidisciplinary groups, where imaginativesolutions to nanoscale problems are forged,becomes now essential.

Further reading

Introduction

• C. P. Poole and F. J. Owens, “Introduction tothe Nanotechnology”, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim(2003).

• R. Waser (Ed.) “Nanoelectronics andInformation Technology“, Wiley-VCH,Weinheim (2003).

• M. Ventra, S. Evoy, J.R. Heflin (Eds.),“Introduction to Nanoscale Science andTechnology”, Series: Nanostructure Scienceand Technology, Springer (2004).

• A. Nouaihat, “An Introduction to Nanosciencesand Nanotechnology” , Wiley-ISTE (2008).

• G. L. Hornyak, J. Dutta, H.F. Tibbals and A. Rao,“Introduction to Nanoscience”, CRC Press(2008).

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• S. Lindsay, “Introduction to Nanoscience”,Oxford University Press (2009).

• M- Pagliaro, “Nano-Age: How NanotechnologyChanges our Future”, Wiley-VCH (2010).

• S.H. Priest, “Nanotechnology and the Public:Risk Perception and Risk Communication(Perspectives in Nanotechnology)”, CRC Press(2011).

Funding

• Marks & Clerk, Nanotechnology, Report(2006).

• www.nano.gov/about-nni/what/funding • “The long view of Nanotechnology develop-

ment: The national Nanotechnology Initia-tive at ten years”, Mihail Roco (2011)www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/nano/reports/nano2/chapter00-2.pdf

• “Some Figures about Nanotechnology R&Din Europe and Beyond”, European Commis-sion, Research DGftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/nanotechnology/docs/nano_funding_data_08122005.pdf

• UE FP7 (NMP theme):http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/nanotechnology_en.html

• EU FP7 Nanotechnology funding opportuni-ties: http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology/src/eu_funding.htm

• EU FP7 Technological Platforms: http://cordis.europa.eu/technology-platforms/ home_en.html

• FET Flagshipshttp://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/programme/fet/flagship/

• EU-FP7 (ICT-FET) proactive initiative (nanoICT - NANO-SCALE ICT DEVICES AND SYSTEMS):http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/fet-proactive/nanoict_en.html

• http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=prog.document&PG_RCN=8737574

• Research in Germany: www.research-in-germany.de/dachportal/en/downloads/download-files/9434/welcome-to-nanotech-germany.pdf www.research-in-germany.de/research-areas/68296/nanotechnology.html

• “Paris plans science in the suburbs”:www.nature.com/news/2010/101020/full/467897a.html

• “French research wins huge cash boost”:www.nature.com/news/2009/091215/full/462838a.html

• http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/documents/ev_20040301_en.pdf

• A. Nordmann, “Converging Technologies –Shaping the Future of European Societies”:www.ntnu.no/2020/final_report_en.pdf

Nanotechnology in Spain

• I+D+I National Plan 2008-2011http://publicacionesopi.micinn.es/docs/PLAN_NACIONAL_CONSEJO_DE_MINISTROS.pdf

• P.A. Serena, “Report on the implementationof the Action Plan for Nanosciences andNanotechnologies in Spain (2005-2007)",Oficina Europea Micinn: www.oemicinn.es/programa-marco/cooperacion/nanociencias-nanotecnologias-materiales-y-nuevas-tecnologias-de-la-produccion/documentos-de-interes/in-forme-de-la-implementacion-del-plan-de-ac-cion-de-nanociencias-y-nanotecnologias-para-el-periodo-2005-2007-en-espana

• P. A. Serena, “A survey of public funding ofnanotechnology in Spain over 2008”. Mi-nistry of Science and Innovation report tothe European Commission.www.oemicinn.es/content/download/1122/7623/file/REPORT2008-First-Implementation-Plan-FINAL-INL.pdf

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• www.educacion.gob.es/campus-excelencia.html

• www.micinn.es/portal/site/MICINN/ menui-tem.7eeac5cd345b4f34f09dfd1001432ea0/?vgnextoid=b0b841f658431210VgnVCM1000001034e20aRCRD (Technological Platforms)

• J.A. Martín-Gago et al. “Teaching UnitNanoscience and Nanotechnology. Amongthe science fiction of the present and thefuture technology”, Foundation for Scienceand Technology (FECYT), Madrid 2008

• Event Atom by Atom (San Sebastian, Spain):http://atombyatom.nanogune.eu/

• Event Passion for knowledge (San Sebastian,Spain): www.dipc10.eu/es/passion-for- knowledge

• “Industrial Applications of Nanotechnologyin Spain in 2020 Horizon, Fundación OPTIand Fundación INASMET-TECNALIA, Madrid.(2008). The book can be downloaded freefrom: www.opti.org

References

1 FP6 Thematic Area denominated“Nanotechnologies and nano-sciences,knowledge-based multifunctional materialsand new production processes and devices”and FP7 denominated “Nanosciences,Nanotechnologies, Materials and newProduction Technologies”

2 ICT: Information and CommunicationTechnologies

3 www.nanonextnl.nl4 www.nanoinitiative.at5 www.nanocode.eu6 www.nanospain.org 7 www.tntconf.org8 www.imaginenano.com9 www.ciber-bbn.es10 www.inl.int11 www.apte.org12 www.nano-renac.com13 www.suschem-es.org

14 www.genesisred.net/index.php15 www.nanomedspain.net16 www.materplat.es17 www.fotonica21.org18 www.phantomsnet.net/nanotech2008/;

www.phantomsnet.net/nanotech2009/; www.phantomsnet.net/nanotech2010/;www.phantomsnet.net/NSTI2009/;www.phantomsnet.net/Taiwan2010/

19 www.icmm.csic.es/spmage/20 www.nanodyf.org

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> JAUME VECIANA

Place and date of birthSan Salvador (Rep. El Salvador), 1950

EducationDegree in Chemical Science, Univ. Barcelona,June 1973.Doctor in Chemistry, Univ. Barcelona,November 1977.

ExperienceMain research activities are focused onfunctional molecular materials with metallic-transport and magnetism-properties,supramolecular materials and to thedevelopment of molecular nanoscience and

nanotechnology. Research is also aimedtowards the development of new processing

methods for structuring functional molecularmaterials as nanoparticles and their patterning on

surfaces. Also activities in Nanomedicine arecurrently developed.

vecianaj@icmab.es

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1. Introduction

Nanochemistry is the term generally used togather all activities of Nanoscience andNanotechnology (N&N) having in common theuse of the traditional concepts, objectives andtools of Chemistry. Accordingly, Nanochemistrydeals with the design, study, production, andtransformation of basic materials into otheroften more complex products and materials thatshow useful properties due to their nanoscopicdimensions. This area of research has thepotential to make a significant impact on ourworld since it has an enabling characterunderpinning technology clusters such asmaterials and manufacturing.

Application areas include construction,cosmetics, pharmaceutical, automotive, andaerospace industry, as well as polymer additives,functional surfaces, sensors and biosensors,molecular electronics, and targeted drugrelease. It is just in this area of research whereone of the most important and commonly usedapproaches of N&N, the “bottom-up-approach”,comes from, whose objectives are to organizethe matter at the nanoscale from atoms ormolecules with the purpose of obtaining newproperties or applications.

Due to the transversal character ofNanochemistry, it is expected that the research

in this area will contribute to solving multiplesocietal issues and will have an enormousimpact in many aspects and activities of ourlives; especially those related with:

a) Energyb) Information and Communication Technologiesc) Healthcare d) Quality of Life e) Citizen Protectionf) Transport

Indeed, activities in this discipline will enable ourEuropean society to become more sustainable,due to new and improved products andprocesses that supply new and existing productsmore efficiently.

Moreover, it is anticipated that the economicaland social impacts of Nanochemistry in our societywill be very high both in terms of generatinggreater wealth and larger economical revenues,improving our trade balances, as well as in thegeneration and maintaining employmentsbecause it will push and renew traditionalactivities of chemical industry in Europe.

This aspect is important because the chemicalindustry is one of the pillars of the Europeaneconomy. It is ubiquitous and is a significantfactor in the improved quality of life enjoyed byEuropean citizens today.

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According with the vision paper of the EuropeanTechnology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry(SUSCHEM), “The vision for 2025 and beyond”,the EU is a leading global chemicals producingarea, with 32% of world chemicals production.

This sector contributes 2.4% to European UnionGDP and comprises some 25,000 enterprises inEurope, 98% of these are SMEs, which accountfor 45% of the sector's added value. Thechemical industry of the 25 State Members ofEU currently employs 2.7 million people directly,of which 46% are in SMEs, with many times thisnumber employed indirectly.

Consequently, N&N could help to boost Europeanresearch, development and innovation inchemical technologies becoming a majordetermining factor to secure the sector'scompetitiveness and consequently the overallcompetitiveness. Thus, the future activities inNanochemistry will be of the utmost importancefor our lives and economy.

2. State of the Art (recent advances, etc.)

In order to analyse the state of the art of thisarea and describe the recent advances, over the2007-2009 period, a search was made in the ISIWeb of Knowledge (Web of Science) crossing theterms chem* and nano*. This search gave36.400 results corresponding to papers thatappeared in journals devoted to general science,chemistry, nanoscience, materials science, andphysics.

A careful analysis of the most cited articles ofthis search permitted to localize those topicsinside Nanochemistry that have received moreattention among the scientific community. A listof those topics, randomly ordered, is as follows:

• Self-assembled organizations in 0-, 1-, 2-, and3-Dimensions.

• Hierarchical functional supramolecularorganizations.

• Studies on molecular dynamics on surfacereactions.

• Basic studies on interfacial structural aspectsof small molecules.

• Synthesis and studies of molecularmotors/machines/valves.

• Design, preparation and study onnanoreactors.

• Design and preparation of metal-organicframeworks with new properties.

• Chemically modified surfaces for microfluidics.

• Nanogels obtained by polymerizationtechniques.

• Catalytic activity studies of metallic clusters.

• Chirality enhancement of surfaces or nanotubes.

• New methods for preparation of nanocrystals/nanowires/nanotubes/nanovesicles.

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Figure 1. SEM image of a drug processed as a particulate material forcontrolling its delivery. Courtesy of NANOMOL, ICMAB (CSIC)-CIBER-BBN.

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• Chemically modified surfaces / nanofibres /nanotubes and their applications.

• Nanofabrication based on “layer-by-layer”assembly techniques.

• Polymers with responsive properties toexternal stimuli.

• Nanoparticles for being used as sensors,medical imaging and therapy.

• Nanostructured materials for gas storageapplications.

• Nanostructured materials for photovoltaicsand photonics.

• Nanostructured materials for energyapplications.

• Nanostructured materials for drug deliveryand targeting purposes.

• Self-assembled nanoprobes for NMR imaging.

• Synthesis, functionalization, and applicationof magnetic nanoparticles.

• Mesoporous materials for drug delivery.

• Drug encapsulation in nanostructured objectsfor biomedical applications.

• DNA hybridized materials for use in medicaland sensing applications.

• Basic studies on cell internalization ofnanostructured organizations.

• Functionalization of quantum dots for cellularimaging.

• Positioning and manipulating enzymes,nucleic acids, and protein-based objects innanoreactors.

• Synthesis and studies of graphene andderivatives.

• “Click” chemistry and its applications.

• Modification of surface wetting properties.

• Molecule-based techniques for printing.

• Plasmon resonance studies of functionalizedsurfaces/particles.

• Electron transport in molecular junctions andin nanotubes and graphenes.

• Nanoparticles and nanostructrued materialsfor sensing Hg2+ ions in water.

• Preparation and functionalization ofpolymeric dendrons and dendrimers.

• Synthesis and characterizaton of monodispersestructured (hollow, core-shell, capsules, etc.)nanoparticles.

3. Most relevant international papers in the areaappearing during 2007-2009

The most cited papers found in the above men-tioned searching using the terms nano* andchem* are the following:

•“Synthetic molecular motors and mechanicalmachines”.Kay, ER; Leigh, DA; Zerbetto, F., Angew. Chem.Int. Ed., 46, 72-191 (2007).

•“Titanium dioxide nanomaterials: Synthesis,properties, modifications, and applications”.Chen, X; Mao, SS, Chem. Rev., 107, 2891-2959(2007).

•“Chemically derived, ultrasmooth graphenenanoribbon semiconductors”.Li, XL; Wang, XR; Zhang, L; Lee, SW; Dai, HJ,Science, 319, 1229-1232 (2008).

•“Detection of individual gas moleculesadsorbed on graphene”.Schedin, F; Geim, AK; Morozov, SV; Hill, EW;Blake, P; Katsnelson, MI; Novoselov, KS,Nature Mater, 6, 652-655 (2007).

•“'Click' chemistry in polymer and materialsscience”.Binder, WH; Sachsenhofer, R, Macromol.Rapid Comm., 28, 15-54 (2007).

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•“Polyoxometalate clusters, nanostructuresand materials: From self assembly to designermaterials and devices”.Long, DL; Burkholder, E; Cronin, L, Chem. Soc.Rev., 36, 105-121 (2007).

•“Synthesis of tetrahexahedral platinumnanocrystals with high-index facets and highelectro-oxidation activity”.Tian, N; Zhou, ZY; Sun, SG; Ding, Y; Wang, ZL,Science, 316, 732-735 (2007).

•“Localized surface plasmon resonancespectroscopy and sensing”.Willets, KA; Van Duyne, RP, Ann. Rev. Phys.Chem., 58, (2007).

•“Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets viachemical reduction of exfoliated graphiteoxide”.Stankovich, S; Dikin, DA; Piner, RD; Kohlhaas,KA; Kleinhammes, A; Jia, Y; Wu, Y; Nguyen, ST;Ruoff, RS, Carbon, 45, 1558-1565 (2007).

•“Processable aqueous dispersions of graphenenanosheets”.Li, D; Muller, MB; Gilje, S; Kaner, RB; Wallace,GG, Nature Nanotechnology, 3, 101-105 (2008).

•“New directions for low-dimensionalthermoelectric materials”.Dresselhaus, MS; Chen, G; Tang, MY; Yang, RG;Lee, H; Wang, DZ; Ren, ZF; Fleurial, JP; Gogna,P, Adv. Mater., 19, 1043-1053 (2007).

•“Nanoelectronics from the bottom up”.Lu, W; Lieber, CM, Nature Mater, 6, 841-850(2007).

•“Molecular architectonic on metal surfaces”Barth, JV, Ann. Rev. Phys. Chem., 58, 375-407(2007).

•“Colorimetric detection of mercuric ion(Hg2+) in aqueous media using DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles”.Lee, JS; Han, MS; Mirkin, CA, Angew. Chem.Int. Ed., 46, 4093-4096 (2007).

•“Analysis of phosphorylation sites on proteins

from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by electrontransfer dissociation (ETD) massspectrometry”.Chi, A; Huttenhower, C; Geer, LY; Coon, JJ;Syka, JEP; Bai, DL; Shabanowitz, J; Burke, DJ;Troyanskaya, OG; Hunt, DF, Proc. Nat. Acad.Sci. USA, 104, 2193-2198 (2007).

4. Actuations to undertake in Spain during2010-2013

It would be convenient that actions to promoteand boost Nanochemistry in Spain in the nextyears follow the general directions undertaken bythe most important European initiatives. Thereis a prospective roadmap, performed at theEuropean level by the “European TechnologyPlatform (ETP) for Sustainable Chemistry”(SusChem) that appeared in its “StrategicResearch Agenda” (SRA), where products andtechnologies are given, together with theirshort-, mid- and long-term priorities and theexpected market volume. Most of such productsand technologies can be benefited from advancesin Nanochemistry and, therefore, grouped bysocio-economical sectors are detailed below:

Energy

Products: Materials for hydrogen storage andtransport, fuel cells and batteries, conductingpolymers, superconductors and semiconductors,light emitting diodes, solar cells, and thermalinsulating materials.

Technologies: Scale-up processes for theproduction of advanced materials, analyticaltechnologies for the quality control of advancedmaterials, and process development and controltechnology.

Information and Communication Technologies

Products: Supercapacitors, luminescent materials

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for displays, OLEDs, E-paper, molecularelectronics, molecule-based for spintronics,semiconducting materials, conducting polymers,materials with enhanced mobility, materials forstorage and transport of information and forholography, batteries, eco-efficient electronicdevices, optical materials, pico-second molecularswitches, and portable devices for hydrogentransport.

Technologies: Scale-up processes for theproduction of advanced materials, processdevelopment and control technology, technologieswhich take advantage of structure-propertyrelationships and interface effects, high-powertechnologies, miniaturization, and biotechnologicalproduction processes of molecular components.

Healthcare

Products: Tumor therapy, targeted drug-delivery,bone reconstruction, tissue engineering. Newantibiotics by novel microorganisms, preparationof antibodies, peptides, and proteins bybioprocesses, medical devices, Smart deliverysystems, tissular engineering, instant diagnosis,functional textiles, and “lab-on-a-chip” devices.

Technologies: Formulation engineering of micro,nanostructured emulsions/ dispersions andparticulate products for controlled release, genericmethods for introduction of chiral centers, in-silicoprediction of drug pharmacokinetics, high-throughput screening technologies, new MRI,NMR and spectroscopy techniques, scale-upprocesses for the production of advanced

materials, innovativefermentation processes fornovel antibiotics production,biocatalytic production ofpharma building blocks.

Quality of Life

Products: Devices forefficient lightening,environment sensors,membranes for treatmentof drinkable water, materialsfor acoustic and thermalinsulation, smart electro-chromic devices, interactivefunctional textile devices,intelligent materials forpackaging, and food qualitysensors, enzymes for newdetergents and for removalof carcinogenic compoundsin food, food trackingsystems.

Technologies: Sensingmaterials and techniques,

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Figure 2. Weaved textile with metallic conducting properties based on a nanocomposite poly-meric material. Courtesy of NANOMOL, ICMAB (CSIC)-CIBER-BBN.

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formulation of products with defined particulatestructure, adapting intensified processequipment, scale-up processes for theproduction of advanced materials, processdevelopment and control technology.

Citizen Protection

Products: Devices for biometric identification,smart cards, protecting tissues,superhydrophobic fibers, conducting and opticalfibers, alarm devices, thermo-chromic windows,functionalized polymers and surfaces asrecognition layers, electrostrictive materials, andpressure sensitive carpets.

Technologies: Scale-up processes for theproduction of advanced materials, sensingmaterials and techniques, and processdevelopment and control technology.

Transport

Products: Devices for instantaneous diagnosisand attending car drivers, traffic managementsensors, improved safety devices, materials forrecyclable and biodegradable vehicles, materialsfor constant repair, silent car & road, instantdiagnosis/sensors, enhanced safety fortransportation systems, functional coatings, eco-efficient car, plane & ships, improved tyres,recyclable materials.

Technologies: Scale-up processes for theproduction of advanced materials, and processdevelopment and control technology.

5. Relevant initiatives

During the last years several EuropeanTechnology Platforms (ETPs) have been createdand boosted by industrial and academicpartners. A complete list of ETPs can be found atthe website http://cordis.europa.eu/

technology-platforms/ individual_en.html whereit is also possible downloading their strategicresearch agendas and implementation actionplans.

Many of such ETPs have created mirrorplatforms in Spain which are currentlydeveloping intense activities to boost theirrespective areas in our country. Probably thoseETPs whose interests are closer toNanochemistry activities and will benefit fromnew advances in this area are the following:

• Advanced Engineering Materials andTechnologies (EuMaT); www.eumat.org

• European Construction Technology Platform(ECTP); www.ectp.org

• European Nanoelectronics Initiative AdvisoryCouncil (ENIAC); www.eniac.eu

• European Space Technology Platform (ESTP);http://estp.esa.int/exp/E10430.php

• Food for Life (Food); http://etp.ciaa.be/asp/ home/welcome.asp

• Future Manufacturing Technologies (MANU-FUTURE); www.manufuture.org

• Future Textiles and Clothing (FTC);http://textile-platform.eu/textile-platform/

• Nanotechnologies for Medical Applications(NanoMedicine); http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology/nanomedicine.htm

• Photonics21 (Photonics); www.photonics21.org

• Photovoltaics (Photovoltaics); www.eupvplatform.org

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• Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem); www.suschem.org

• Water Supply and Sanitation TechnologyPlatform (WSSTP); www.wsstp.eu/site/online/home

For training and formation activities it is worthto mention the European School on MolecularNanoscience that has been organized twoeditions in Spain with a successful attendance ofyoung researchers from all Europe with theparticipation of worldwide recognizedresearchers and professors.

This initiative was organized by the EuropeanNetwork of Excellence MAGMANet becoming animportant international event whereNanochemistry plays a key role. There are alsofew Master Degrees that are given by someSpanish Universities where the training onchemistry and nanoscience is provided.

6. Infrastructure needed (2010-2013)

Because of the special characteristics ofNanochemistry, there is no need to performlarge investments in huge research facilities. Thefunds provided by the local and nationalgovernments must be addressed mostly toincrease the manpower of the groups and toachieve efficient and rapid ways to acquiresmall-medium equipments without long waitingtimes since this decrease the efficiency andcompetitiveness of the groups.

7. Conclusion

As a general conclusion it is worth to mention theneed to promote in Spain the research addressed toall the topics reported before. Nowadays there is agood level of research in our country in comparisonwith Europe although we are still far from theoptimal rank of excellence and productivity existingin the most developed countries.

In order to achieve such a level importantfinancial efforts must be made from the differentnational and local research agencies to providewith considerable amounts of funds to the mostcompetitive Spanish laboratories and groups,judging their past activity based only in terms ofexcellence and productivity. The traditionalattitude of such agencies to distribute smallamounts of funds to all groups must becompletely disregarded. Such agencies must alsoconsider those small groups with promisingbackgrounds to boost their activities.

> FRANCESC PÉREZ-MURANO

Place and date of birthBarcelona (Spain), 1966

EducationPhD on Physics. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

ExperienceProf. Francesc Pérez-Murano is research professor at

IMB-CNM. His research activities are dedicated todeveloping novel methods of nanofabrication for

micro and nano electronics, and to applications ofMEMS and NEMS in the areas of Sensing. Hemade his PhD at the Universitat Autonoma deBarcelona, and he has made post-doctoral andvisiting stays at MIC in Denmark, NIST in USA,AIST in Japan and EPFL in Switzerland.

In 2001, he set-up the CSIC nanofabricationfacilities and nanotechnology-orientedresearch at CNM-Barcelona. He has beenstrongly involved in EU collaborative researchprojects in FP5 and FP6 covering severalaspects of Nanotechnology and

Nanofabrication, including the coordination ofan STREP project in FP6. He is co-author of more

than 100 articles in peer reviewed InternationalJournals and co-inventor of four patents. He is

member of the Steering Committee of the MNE(Micro and Nano Engineering) conference series.

francesc.perez@imb-cnm.csic.es

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27

1. Introduction

It is widely accepted that electronics based onnano-scale integration and nanostructuredmolecular materials provides new types ofdevices and intelligent systems. Nanoelectronicstechnology development is following severalapproaches to improve performance of systemsthrough miniaturization. On one side, electronicsindustry (traditionally called Microelectronics)relies on the classical top-down approach, wherereliability and throughput is guaranteed tomanufacture millions of chips with integratednanoscale transistors. As stated by the wellknown Moore’s law, continuous reduction of thetransistor size allows improving circuitperformance. Microprocessors with 2 billiontransistors (32 nm node) are now close to themarket.

The extremely complexity and cost of thistechnology, together with the envisioned limitsfor further miniaturization triggers thedevelopment of other concepts, materials andmanufacturing technologies, encompassed inwhich are known as “More than Moore” and“Beyond CMOS” areas of nanoelectronics,according to ENIAC1 initiative.

In this sense, the research area ofnanoelectronics covers a large range of aspects,some of which will be revised in this report.

Within the “More than Moore” area,microelectronics-based technology is used andextended to the fabrication of sensors andtransducers, amongst other devices. Aparadigmatic example of this is the growing areaof nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS).“Beyond CMOS” focuses on the introduction ofdisruptive, emerging materials and technologiesaiming to continue the integrated circuitsgrowing up device density race. Lot ofdevelopment is being achieved in the so-calledcarbon-based electronics, where carbonnanotubes and graphene can be used to providemore-powerful devices. Along with this,polymers, single molecules and nanocrystals arealso being introduced to developed new kind ofconcepts.

Figure 1. Different areas of Nanoelectronics according to the charac-teristic length of the devices.

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The area of nanoelectronics and molecularelectronics extends also towards materialsscience and chemistry on one side, and towardsmany aspects of sensing (including biosensing).These aspects are almost not treated in thisreport, which is mainly focused to informationprocessing.

At the end of the first decade of the 21st century,we are in the situation where researchers andengineers are starting to take benefit of the new“nano-based” materials and technologiesoriginated in previous decades. We anticipate theoutcome of a new area for nanoelectronics,where a real merge between top-down(microelectronics) and bottom-up (molecularelectronics) will give place to extremely powerfulsystems to satisfy the increasing demands forefficient information processing andcommunications, including quantum computing.

2. State of the art

2.1 Miniaturization in Microelectronics

Progress in nanotechnology and microelectronicsis intimately linked to the existence of highquality methods for producing nanoscalepatterns and objects at surfaces. The explosivegrowth in the capability of semiconductordevices has to a large extent been due toadvances in lithography. Miniaturization hasenabled both the number of transistors on a chipand the speed of the transistor to be increasedby orders of magnitude. Optical lithography haskept pace with this evolution for several decadesand has always been the workhorse forpatterning the critical layers in semiconductormanufacturing.

At present, technological solutions for the 32 nmnode exist. Today’s predominantly usedtechnology, optical deep UV (DUV) lithography2

will be extended by computational methods to

further generations, however, 20 nm seems tobe challenging. High volume, high throughputlithography is predicted to reach the sub 20 nmfeature scale in 20173 . The technologies at handto provide such a resolution at sufficient featurequality are rare. Also, for the time being, it is notclear, if its potential successor, extremeultraviolet (EUV) lithography is arriving at themarket. Other technologies like nanoimprintlithography (NIL)4 or electron beam (EBL) mask-less lithography5 provide sufficient resolution.While EBL is too slow (and parallelization isdifficult) to provide enough throughput for highvolume production, NIL gathers increasingattention and it is proposed to be used in FLASHmemory production in the near future6.

However this solution still requires a masktechnology with the added difficulty to fabricatea 1X mask. In addition, because it is a contactlithography, mask defects is a main issue.Scanning Probe lithography for mask fabricationand technology development are beingconsidered as well7. In any case, Microelectronicsindustry is seriously considering incorporatingnanotechnology tools and concepts, like block-copolymers self-assembly8.

2.2 Carbon based nanoelectronics (CNTs andGraphene)

The approaching limits of the top-downminiaturization have triggered a global effort togenerate alternative device technologies. Byreplacing the conducting channel of a MOStransistor by structured carbon nanomaterialssuch as carbon nanotubes or graphene layers,devices with enhanced properties for electronictransport are encountered9. Emerging ofgraphene as a high performance semiconductormaterial has been a major hit during 2007-2009.

Key results on this aspects have been theachievement of ultrahigh electron mobility in

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suspended graphene layers10 and theobservation of room - temperature quantumhall effect. Technology for CNT-basednanoelectronic devices is arriving to a maturestage. Improvements on the control of CNTorientation and their combination with CMOStechnology are especially relevant for futureapplications13. Also important are the newapplications of CNT based devices for chargedetection14 and for nanomechanical masssensing (see below, NEMS subsection).

2.3 Spintronics

Spin based electronics deals with themanipulation of spin of charge carriers in solidstate devices. It can be distinguished betweeninorganic spintronics (devices based on metalsor semiconductors) and molecular spintronics,(either the design of molecular analogs of theinorganic spintronic structures and the evolutiontowards single molecule spintronics).

A recent review about molecular spintronics canbe found in15. Besides the well known impact ofspintronics in storage technology (giantmagneto-resistance effect used in the operationof magnetic hard-drives heads), inorganicspintronics has a potential to provide low-powerdevices for memories (MRAM). On the otherhand, molecules and single-molecule magnetsoffer possibilities for future applications inquantum computing.

2.4 Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS)

The area of nanomechanical systems hasexperienced a tremendous advance during the2007-2009 period. Roughly, three maindirections are being pursued: development ofextremely sensitive nanomechanical sensors16,large scale integration of nanomechanicalstructures and quantum limits ofnanomechanical resonators search. The area of

NEMS is a clear example of multidisciplinaryeffort, where the progress is achieved bysimultaneous efforts on advancednanofabrication processing, use of nanoscalecharacterization methods and tools, andintroduction of concepts from photonicsbiochemistry physics, etc. NEMS technologyinclude aspects of top-down fabrication usingnanolithography and advanced opticallithography, but also combination with bottom-up fabrication for the development of NEMSbased on carbon nanotubes17 and siliconnanowires18. Most relevant results include thedemonstration of single atom sensitivity for masssensors using carbon nanotubes and siliconnanowires , the joint effort of CEA-LETI and UCLAto develop a robust/wafer scale technology forNEMS integration19, and the initial detection ofthe quantum limits of NEMS20 .

2.5 Molecular electronics

Understanding the electronic properties ofsingle molecules and developing methods formaking reliable and optimal contacts to themare major challenges in Nanotechnology. Eventhough a single molecule electronic device is

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Figure 2. Example of massive fabrication of nanoelectronics devices.A four inch-wafer containing 138,240 CNT-FET structures. I. Martin etal12.

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conceptually simple (a molecule and two orthree electrodes), it is not fully understood21.Some progress has been made to know theinfluence of metal electrodes on the energyspectrum of the molecule, and how the electrontransport of the molecules depend on thestrengths of the electronic coupling between themolecule and the electrodes. A major drawbackis the lack of reproducible results from singlemolecule devices due to the lack of control ofthe electrode/molecule contact, since mostresults are based on mechanical methods.Alternatives to develop functional integratedsystems based on organic molecules are theones related with the cross-bar structure22, aperiodic array of crossed nanowires with amonolayer of an organic material (for example,bi-stable [2] rotaxane molecules) in between. Itis proved that these systems can be miniaturizedfurther than CMOS technology and that it ishighly tolerant to manufacturing defects23.

3. Survey of relevant publications by Spanishand International groups in the area (2007-2009)

3.1 Spanish groups

Spanish research community is very active in thearea and some groups are in the cutting edge ofthe research arena. The present survey is notexhaustive and it is just intended to show thehigh-quality research performed by Spanishgroups.

Miniaturization in Microelectronics

•J. Martínez, R. V. Martínez, R. García. Silicon Nanowire Transistors with a ChannelWidth of 4 nm fabricated by Atomic ForceMicroscope Nanolithography. Nano Letters2008 8 (11), 3636-3639.

•I. Martín. Sansa, M.J. Esplandiu, E. Lora-Tamayo, F. Pérez-Murano, P. Godignon. Massive manufacture and characterization ofsingle-walled carbon nanotube field effecttransistors. Microelectronics Engineering, inpress. (2010).

Carbon based nanoelectronics (CNTs andGraphene)

•A. Barreiro, M. Lazzeri, J. Moser, F. Mauri, A.Bachtold.

Transport properties of graphene in the high-current limit. Phys. Rev. Lett., 103, 076601(2009).

•A. Gruneis, M. J. Esplandiu, D. García-Sanchez,and A. Bachtold. Detecting Individual Electrons Using a CarbonNanotube Field-Effect Transistor. Nano Lett.,7, 3766 (2007).

•Per Sundqvist, Francisco J. García-Vidal,Fernando Flores, Miriam Moreno-Moreno,Cristina Gómez-Navarro, Joseph Scott Bunch,and Julio Gómez-Herrero. Voltage and Length-Dependent PhaseDiagram of the Electronic Transport in CarbonNanotubes. Nano Letters 2007 7 (9), 2568-2573.

•H. Santos, L. Chico, L. Brey.Carbon Nanoelectronics: Unzipping Tubes intoGraphene Ribbons. Physical Review Letters,103, 086801 (2009).

Spintronics

•M. Reyes Calvo, Joaquín Fernández-Rossier,Juan José Palacios, David Jacob, DouglasNatelson & Carlos Untiedt.The Kondo effect in ferromagnetic atomiccontacts. Nature 458, 1150-1153 (2009).

• Eugenio Coronado, Arthur J. Epsetin, Editors. Molecular Spintronics and QuantumComputing.Special Issue of Journal of MaterialsChemistry, vol 19, 1661-1760 (2009).

•J. Fernández-Rossier and J. J. Palacios.Magnetism in Graphene Nanoislands. Phys.Rev. Lett. 99, 177204 (2007).

•V. A. Dediu, L. E. Hueso, I. Bergenti and C.Taliani. Spin Routes in Organic Semiconductors.Nature Materials 8, 707 (2009).

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•H. López, X. Oriols, J. Suñé, X. Cartoixa. High-frequency behaviour of the Datta-Dasspin transistor. Applied Physics Letters 83,193592 (2008).

•L.E. Hueso, J.M. Pruneda et al.Transformation of spin information into largeelectrical signals using carbon nanotubes.Nature 445, 410 (2007).

NEMS

•B. Lassagne, D. Garcia-Sanchez, A. Aguasca,and A. Bachtold. Ultrasensitive Mass Sensing with a NanotubeElectromechanical Resonator. Nano Lett. 8,3735 (2008).

•J. Mertens. C. Rogero, M. Calleja, D. Ramos, J.A.Martín-Gago, C. Briones, & J. Tamayo. Label-free detection of DNA hybridizationbased on hydration-induced tension in nucleicacid films. Nature Nanotechnology 3 (5) (2008).

•J. Arcamone, M. Sansa, J. Verd, A. Uranga, G.Abadal, N. Barniol, M. van den Boogaart, J.Brugger, F. Pérez-Murano.Nanomechanical mass sensor for spatially-resolved ultra-sensitive monitoring ofdeposition rates in stencil lithography. Small,5, 176-180 (2009).

•Álvaro San Paulo, Noel Arellano, Jose A. Plaza,Rongrui He, Carlo Carraro, Roya Maboudian,Roger T. Howe, Jeff Boko, and, Peidong Yang. Suspended Mechanical Structures Based onElastic Silicon Nanowire Arrays. Nano Letters2007 7 (4), 1100-1104.

Molecular Electronics

•J. Hihath, C. R. Arroyo, G. Rubio-Bollinger, N.J. Tao, N. Agraït. Study of Electron-Phonon Interactions in aSingle Molecule Covalently Connected to TwoElectrodes. Nanoletters 8, 1673-1678 (2008).

•M del Valle, R. Gutiérrez, C. Tejedor and G.Cuniberti.

Tuning the conductance of a molecular switchNature Nanotechnology 2, 176 (2007).

•J Puigmartí, V. Laukhin, A.P. del Pino et al.Supramolecular conducting nanowires fromorganogels. Angewandte Chemie InternationalEdition 46238-241 (2007).

3.2 International groups

Miniaturization in Microelectronics

•A. Pantazi et al. Probe-based ultrahigh-density storagetechnology. IBM J. Res. Dev. 52, 493–511 (2008).

•C.T. Black et al. Polymer self-assembly in semiconductormicroelectronics. IBM J. Res. & Dev. 51, 605 (2007).

Carbon based nanoelectronics (CNTs andGraphene)

•KI Bolotin, KJ Sikes, Z Jiang, M Klima et al. Ultrahigh electron mobility in suspendedgraphene.Solid State Communication 146, 351 (2008).

•KS. Novoselov, Z Jiang, Y Zhang, SV Morozov,et al. Room-temperature quantum Hall effect ingraphene.Science 315, 652 (2007).

Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS)

•A. K. Naik, M. S. Hanay, W. K. Hiebert, X. L.Feng, M. L. Roukes. Towards single-molecule nanomechanicalmass spectrometry.Nature Nanotechnology 4, 445 (2009).

•K. Jensen, K Kim, A Zettl.An atomic-resolution nanomechanical masssensor.

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Nat. Nanotech. 3, 533, 2008.

•J. D. Teufel, T. Donner, M. A. Castellanos-Beltran, J. W. Harlow and K. W. Lehnert,Nanomechanical motion measured with animprecision below that at the standardquantum limit. Nature Nanotechnology 4, 820 (2009).

Molecular Electronics

•K. Moth-Poulsen and T. Bjornholm.Molecular electronics with single molecules insolid-state devices.Nature Nanotechnology 4, 551 (2009).

•J. E. Green, J. W. Choi, A. Boukai, Y Bunimovichet al.A 160-kilobit molecular electronic memorypatterned at 1011 bits per square centimetre Nature 445, 414 (2007).

•W. Lu and C. Lieber. Nanoelectronics from the bottom up.Nature Materials 6, 841 (2007).

4. Actions to develop in Spain for the period(2010- 2013)

Future impact in the society of nanoelectronics andmolecular electronics will be dictated by theenvisioned end of the miniaturization of CMOSmicroelectronics technology, which will openenormous opportunities to the new building blocksfrom Nanotechnology. It is now time to position inthis aspect. Nanoelectronics and molecularelectronics community in Spain, althoughdemonstrating a high quality research activity, itlooks quite fragmentized in small groups dealingwith partial aspects of the field. As the future ofthe area relies on a multidisciplinary approach,some actions that could be undertaken to assure acompetitive position of Spain in this area are:

• Enhance the relation between the differentgroups active on nano-electronics and

molecular electronics. Large joint projects inthe area, creation of networks, workshops,etc., should be proposed.

• Increase the critical mass of research groupsactive in the area.

• Analyze/unify the undergraduate and post-graduate education in the area, enhancing theprograms content.

5. Research infrastructure required

Technological development for nanoelectronicsand molecular electronics requires the use of cleanroom facilities and equipment. There is anincreasing number of small size clean rooms inSpain that could provide an adequate environmentfor activities focused to basic/fundamental science.In addition, granted access to medium-size cleanrooms (CNM clean room, ISOM clean room) isavailable to Spanish researchers through dedicatedprograms financed by the Ministry of science andInnovation (MICINN).

However, more ambitious technologicaldevelopments that would provide integratedsolutions based on nano-electronics andmolecular electronics requires updating andextending present capabilities, since, aspreviously stated, multidisciplinary approach isrequired for future developments ofnanoelectronics. Additionally well trained staffenhancing the managing and operatingcapabilities of the above mentioned free accessfacilities need to be boosted.

In this sense, actuations related with infrastructureshould be focused to consolidate small-size cleanroom focused to basic research application andenforce medium-to-large size clean rooms thatwould allow them to adequately addresschallenges for technological developments innanoelectronics. Adequate programs for fundingand training dedicated technical staff related withthe clean rooms are clearly required.

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6. Relevant initiatives

ENIAC is the well known European technologicalplatform in the area of nanoelectronics(www.eniac.eu). Its main goal was to definecommon research and innovation priorities toensure a truly competitive nanoelectronicsindustry in Europe. Recently, the first researchprojects funded by ENIAC have started. Theresearch is largely focused to industrialapplication, with emphasis in More Moore andMore than Moore areas.

ICT program of FP7 (http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/) funds more exploratory projects relatedwith nanoelectronics, including aspects of Morethan Moore and Beyond CMOS areas. Within ICT,The Future and Emerging Technologies OpenScheme - FET-Open - is a roots-up approach forexploring promising visionary ideas that cancontribute to challenges of long term importancefor Europe. The scheme stimulates non-conventional targeted exploratory researchcutting across all disciplines, and acts as aharbour for exploring and nurturing newresearch trends, helping them mature inemerging research communities.

Nano-ICT (www.phantomsnet.net/nanoICT) is aVII FP coordination action whose main objectiveis the consolidation and visibility of the researchcommunity in ICT nanoscale devices. Nano-ICT isstructured in several working groups includingAlternative Electronics, NEMS, Carbon nanotubes,spintronics and mono-molecular electronics.

Within the Marie Curie training networks, forexample FUNMOLS (fundamentals of molecularelectronic assemblies) has Spanish participation. At the national level, several projects withinnanoelectronics are funded within the “PlanNacional” at different programs: TEC (Electronicsand Communication Technologies), MAT(Materials) and FIS (Physics), and also within theConsolider-Ingenio initiative (as for exemple

Nanoselect, Nanobiomed and NanocienciaMolecular). Relevant networks financedincluding topics of interest for nanoelectronicsare Nanospain and Nanolito.

Courses at post-graduate level including subjectsrelated with nanoelectronics and molecularelectronics are available at most of Science andTechnical Universities around Spain.

7. Conclusions

The expected end in few years of theminiaturization trend in microelectronics as weknow it today, places nanoelectronics andmolecular electronics as critical actors to providefuture advances for the areas of informationprocessing and storage. In Spain there is anongoing important and high quality researchactivity in this area, with already good expertise.However the area looks fragmentized in thesense that there is no coordination between thegroups and activities, which would allow tobetter use resources and expertise, and thenposition Spain in a compettive place in theinternational arena.

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledge helpful discussionswith Adrian Bachtold, Nuria Barniol, Carles Cané,Xavier Cartoixa, Jordi Fraxedas, Ricardo Garcia,and Emilio Lora-Tamayo.

References

1 www.eniac.eu

2 M. Rothschild, Materials Today, 8, 18 (2005).

3 International Technology Roadmap forSemiconductors (ITRS), Semiconductor IndustryAssociation, (2008).

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4 H. Schift, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B, 26, 458 (2008).

5 R. Menon, A. Patel, D. Gil, H. I. Smith, MaterialToday, 8, 26 (2005).

6 M. LaPedus, "Toshiba claims to 'validate'nanoimprint litho," EETimes, October 16, 2007.

7 A. Pantazi et al. Probe-based ultrahigh-densitystorage technology. IBM J. Res. Dev. 52, 493–511(2008).

8 C.T. Black et al. Polymer self-assembly insemiconductor microelectronics. IBM J. Res. &Dev. 51, 605 (2007).

9 Ph. Avouris, Z. Chen and V. Perebeinos. Naturenanotechnology, 2, 605 (2007).

10 KI Bolotin et al. Solid State Communication146, 351 (2008).

11 KS. Novoselov et al. Science 315, 652 (2007).

12 I. Martín, M. Sansa, M.J. Esplandiu, E. Lora-Tamayo, F. Perez-Murano, P. Godignon. Massivemanufacture and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotube field effect transistors.Microelectronics Engineering (2010).

13 SJ Kang et al, Nature Nanotechnology 2, 230(2007).

14 A. Gruneis, M. J. Esplandiu, D. García-Sánchez,and A. Bachtold Nano Lett., 7, 3766 (2007).

15 Eugenio Coronado, Arthur J. Epsetin, Editors.Special issue of Journal of Materials Chemistry,vol 19, 1661-1760 (2007).

16 A. K. Naik, M. S. Hanay, W. K. Hiebert, X. L.Feng, M. L. Roukes Towards single-moleculenanomechanical mass spectrometry.NatureNanotechnology 4, 445-450 (2009).

17 K. Jensen et al, Nat. Nanotech. 3, p533 (2008).

18 R. He et al, Nano. Lett. 8, p1756 (2008).

19 P. Andreucci, Very Large Scale Integration(VLSI) of NEMS based on top down approaches.Minatec Cross Road Workshop Nanomechanicsfor NEMS : scientific and technological issues.Minatec Grenoble (2008).

20 J. D. Teufel, T. Donner, M. A. Castellanos-Beltran, J. W. Harlow and K. W. Lehnert,Nanomechanical motion measured with animprecision below that at the standard quantumlimit. Nature Nanotechnology 4, 820 (2009).

21 K. Moth-Poulsen and T. Bjornholm. NatureNanotechnology 4, 551 (2009).

22 Jonathan E. Green et al. Nature 445, 414(2007); W. Lu and C. Lieber. NatureNanotechnology 6, 841 (2007).

23 J. Heath et al. Science 280, 1716 (1998).

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> RODOLFO MIRANDA

Place and date of birthAlmería (Spain), 1953

Education1975 BS in Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). Madrid, Spain; 1981 PhD with Prof.Juan M. Rojo, UAM, Madrid, Spain; 1882–1984 Postdoc with Prof. G. Ertl, Physikalische ChemieInstitut de la Universidad de Munich, Munich, Germany.

ExperienceFull Professor of Condensed Matter Physics of the Faculty of Sciences at the UAM, Madrid, Spain &Director of the Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Nanoscience (IMDEA-Nanociencia). Prof.Miranda has been Vice-chancellor of Research and Scientific Policy (1998-2002) at the UniversidadAutónoma de Madrid, Executive Secretary of the R&D Commission for the Conference of Rectors of

Spanish Universities (CRUE) (2000-2002) and Director of the Materials Science Institute “NicolásCabrera” at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Prof. Miranda is Fellow of the

American Physical Society (2008) and Member of the following societies:American Vacuum Society, American Physical Society, and Materials

Research Society. Other honours include Membership of the SurfaceScience Division Committee IUVSTA (October 1989- October

1992), of the Advisory Board at the Max Planck Institute fürMikrostrur Physik, Halle (1993-2003), and the Spanish

representative in the Scientific Advisory Committee ofthe European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) at

Grenoble (July 1988-January 1991). He is also amember of the Editorial Board of the journal Probe

Microscopy. Prof. Miranda has published morethan 200 scientific articles.

rodolfo.miranda@imdea.org

> ROBERTO OTERO

Place and date of birthCórdoba (Spain), 1974

EducationDegree in Physics at UAM (1997) and PhD in

Science at UAM (2002)

ExperienceThree years as Assistant Research Professor at the

University of Aarhus and four years as Ramón &Cajal at UAM.

roberto.otero@imdea.org

37

1. Introduction

A great deal of the expectations raised in the lastdecade in the fields of Science and Technologyat the atomic scale arise from the lack ofscalability in the physical properties of matterwhen its size falls in the nanometer range (themillionth part of a millimeter). Nanoscopicpieces of material can be made out of hundredsof atoms (at least in the dimension in which thesize of the material is in the nanometer range)instead of the mind-boggling amount of 1023,characteristic of macroscopic materials. It is thusnot surprising that many of the commonly usedapproximations to understand the physicalproperties of large-scale materials cannot beapplied to nanometer-scale structures.

Among these properties we find for exampleelectrical conductivity, that becomes quantizedin the limit of nanometer-thick wires; thechemical reactivity of nanoparticles, which isdramatically affected by the larger number ofsurface atoms in these nanostructures ascompared to macroscopic materials; themagnetization of nanoscale magnets, that canbe severely reduced by the non-negligible effectof thermal fluctuations, etc.

These effects exemplify that fact that thephysical properties of nanostructures cantherefore not be obtained simply by scaling-

down the physical properties of macroscopicpieces of the same material. The lack ofscalability in the physical properties ofnanometer-sized structures opens newopportunities and methods for the fabrication ofnanoscopic structures with custom-desginedphysical properties and, therefore, for theScience of Materials hosting nanometer-scalestructural motifs.

In the following we will focus on recentlydeveloped methods to provide macroscopicmaterials with nanometer-scale structural motifsable to modify their physical and chemicalproperties and endorse them with newfunctionalities. We will however not discuss thesynthesis and properties of individualnanostructures, which also a burgeoning field withgreat potential for applications, but which will mostlikely be covered in other sections of this report.

We will however make an exception for theexplosive development of the research ingraphene, i.e. an atom-thick graphite layer. Thediscovery of methods to isolate and handleindividual graphene sheets has raised manyexpectations in the field of Nanoelectronics, dueto its promising transport properties, whichultimately arise from a peculiar electronic bandstructure leading to very high Fermi velocity (ofthe order of 106 m/s), giant electronic mobility(in excess of 104 cm2/V⋅s) and zero effective

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mass. From the point of view of MaterialsScience, the most important challenges to meetare the chemical functionalization of graphene (tocontrol its solubility, open a semiconducting gapand control the sign and concentration of chargecarriers by doping) and the epitaxial growth ofgraphene sheets with reduced defectconcentration. An analysis of the scientific paperspublished in the field of graphene research in thelast few years (2007-2009), shows that Spain hasplayed a major role in this scientific enterprise,occupying the 7th position in the ranking ofcountries, according to Web of Science.

2. State of the Art

As described above, we will limit ourselves tothe Materials Science aspects of currentNanoscience and Nanotechnology, i.e. tomaterials that contain distributions of nanoscalemotifs that control or affect their macroscopicproperties. Since their preparation methods andfinal properties are very different, we will classifynanostructured materials depending on whetherthe nanoscale motifs are distributed all over thebulk of the material or at its surface.

2.1 Embedding nanostructures at the bulk of amaterial

Nanostructures can be embedded in typicallyamorphous matrices, very often polymericmatrices, resulting usually in random spatialdistribution and the nanoscale structural motifs.Typical examples are polymeric matrices withincorporated carbon nanotubes, which have veryinteresting effects in their elastic and thermalconduction properties, or semiconductingnanoparticles (quantum dots) dispersed inpolymeric matrices with very interestingphotovoltaic properties.

Recently, hybrid CNT-QD systems have beensynthesized, holding promise for photovoltaic

applications. A very intense research effort iscurrently being developed to solvenanostructures in the bulk of liquids.Solubilization and biocompatibilization of lightemitting and magnetic nanoparticles arecurrently a hot topic for nanomedicine studies.

New experimental non-invasive imagingtechniques and therapies for a number ofdiseases, which are currently being developed,relay on the capability of these nanostructuresto get incorporated into the blood streamwithout triggering immune responses, and getinto target cells and organs.

For this purpose a major challenge that must betackled in the next few years is finding theproper chemical functionalizations that wouldenable the nanostructures to bind selectively tothe targeted organs.

One possible alternative to incorporate thenanostructures into a bulk material without theneed of a matrix could be the directcrystallization of nanoparticles. The interactionsbetween the nanoparticles that steer the self-assembly processes are dictated, and thus canbe controlled, by the proper choice of theligands that cover their surfaces.

It was already described in the literature thatnanoparticles can be embedded into largercolloidal particles, for which crystallizationmethods have been long known. The resultingphotonic crystals have very interesting opticalproperties. Nanoporous materials, such aszeolites or organometallic coordinationnetworks, can act as molecular sieves with verypromising applications in the fields of catalysisand water purification.

The directionality of the bonds that hold the 3Dstructure of these materials, leads to theformation of ordered arrays of holes with well

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defined size, shape and chemical composition.These pores can selectively bond molecules withparticular shapes, enabling their function ascatalysts and molecular sieves.

2.2 Surface Nanostructuration of Materials

The surfaces of materials can be modified at thenanometer scale either by imprinting nanoscalepatterns on the otherwise homogenous surface,or adsorbing nanostructures on them, which couldbe either preformed and then deposited or can beself-assembled from their constituent buildingblocks previously adsorbed on the surface.

Both approaches can be combined by adsorbingnanostructures selectively on particular areas ofa imprinted nanoscale pattern. In this way, forexample, linear nanopatterns can be used todirect the growth of 1D arrays of nanoparticles,something that would be very challenging to doonly by exploiting self-assembly processes.

The methods to imprint patterns on surfaces arecollectively termed lithographies. The simplestof them is the microcontact printing technique,in which a stamp is dipped into an “ink” (asolution of molecules or nanostructures) andthen brought into contact with a surface, so thatthe ink wets the surface preferentially followingthe pattern at the stamp.

However, the time-honored, most commonslithographic techniques are based on irradiatingthe surface of the material (previously covered bya radiation-sensitive layer) with energetic particles(photons, electrons, ions) through some maskswith orifices of well defined shape and size.

The smallest nanostructures achieved hithertoby electron beam lithography are some in excessof 10 nm large. In order to achieve even smallernanostructures, the possibility of performinglithography with the tip of a Scanning ProbeMicroscope is currently under investigation.Such method, though, still has to face theproblem of scaling up the modified area, sincetoday only relatively small patches of the surfacecan be modified within a reasonable time-span.

There are also non-lithographic methods toimprint nanoscale patterns on solid surfaces.They are usually based on obtaining an orderedarray of nanostructures in the surface by epitaxyor self-assembly. This array will act as ananoscale pattern for the subsequentadsorption of other kind of nanostructures. Forexample, epitaxial growth of graphene ontransition metal surfaces leads to nanoscaleMoiré patterns originating from the latticemismatch between the underlying metallicsurface and the graphene layer.

This Moiré pattern has been shown to direct thegrowth of metallic nanoparticles or organicmaterial deposited on the rippled graphene.Nanoscale patterns can also be obtained from

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Figure 1. Hybrid carbon nanotube – Quantum Dot system. From NanoLett. 7, 3564 (2007). Courtesy of B. H. Juárez

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the self-assembly or organic molecules byhydrogen bonds or coordination bonds, and thepores of the molecular network act asnucleation sites for the subsequent depositionof organic material.

Finally, nanoparticles or nanowires can also bedirectly deposited on solid surfaces. Hithertomost of these works have performed thedeposition directly from a solution of thenanostructures, by drop-casting, spin-coating orLangmuir-Blodgetts techniques. In the last fewyears several groups have pursued new methodsto deposit these nanoparticles under vacuumconditions, with methods based on electrosprayevaporation, laser irradiation sublimation(MALDI) or pulsed-valve methods.

Functionalizing solid surfaces with nanoparticlesis known to have some very interesting effectson the material reactivity or photovoltaicproperties. Controlling the self-assembly ofnanoparticles on solid surfaces remains howevera challenge in which more work needs to bedeveloped in forthcoming years. The adsorptionof molecular wires such as DNA and carbonnanotubes faces similar problems nowadays. Inthis respect, however some interesting progresshas been made by deposition of the catalyticpromoters on nanopatterned surfaces, whichdirect the growth of the CNT is specificdirections.

3. Relevant publications 2007–2009

•Novoselov K. S. et al. “Room-temperaturequantum hall effect in graphene”, Science315, 1379 (2007).

•Sutter P. W., Flege J. I. & Sutter E.A. “Epitaxialgraphene on ruthenium”, Nat. Mater.7, 406(2008).

•Wehling T. O. et al. “Molecular doping ofgraphene”, Nano Lett. 8, 173 (2008).

•Gómez-Navarro C. et al. “Electronic transport

properties of individual chemically reducedgraphene oxide sheets”, Nano Lett. 7, 3499(2007).

•Elías D. C. et al. “Control of Graphene'sProperties by Reversible Hydrogenation:Evidence for Graphane”, Science 323, 610(2009).

•Vázquez de Parga A. L. et al., “Periodicallyrippled graphene: Growth and spatiallyresolved electronic structure”. Phys. Rev. Lett.100, 056807 (2008).

•Brown, P. & Kamat, P. V, “Quantum Dot SolarCells. Electrophoretic Deposition of CdSe−C60Composite Films and Capture ofPhotogenerated Electrons with nC60 ClusterShell”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130, 8890 (2008).

•Zheng, D. et al. “Aptamer Nano-flares forMolecular Detection in Living Cells”, NanoLett. 9, 3258 (2009).

•Striemer, C. C. et al. “Charge- and size-basedseparation of macromolecules using ultrathinsilicon membranes” Nature 445, 749 (2007).

•Kang, H. et al. “Hierarchical Assembly ofNanoparticle Superstructures from BlockCopolymer-Nanoparticle Composites” Phys.Rev. Lett. 100, 148303 (2008).

•Green, J. E. et al. “A 160-kilobit molecularelectronic memory patterned at 1011 bits persquare centimeter” Nature 445, 414 (2007).

•Guo, L. J. “Nanoimprint Lithography: Methodsand Material Requirements” Adv. Mater. 19,495 (2007).

•Park, S. Y. et al. “DNA-programmablenanoparticle crystallization”, Nature 451, 553(2008).

•Juárez, B. H. et al. “Quantum Dot Attachmentand Morphology Control by CarbonNanotubes”, Nano Lett. 7, 3564 (2007).

•Écija, D. et al. “Crossover Site-Selectivity in theAdsorption of the Fullerene Derivative PCBMon Au(111)” Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. 46, 7874(2007).

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4. Actions to develop in Spain 2010–2013

It was mentioned above that the state ofscientific research in some areas of nanomaterialsscience is quite competitive worldwide. However,if we expand our publication research (based onWeb of Science data) to the larger field ofnanomaterials in general, we find the Spain isonly the 14th in rank of publishing countries. Thisfact shows that Spain has nowadays themanpower required to take the lead in thepursuit of some of the hottest topics innanomaterials science research, but itnonetheless lacks enough scientificinfrastructures, evaluation mechanisms andeducational opportunities to exploit at full itshuman potential.

The actions to be undertaken in the near futuremust aim at the double objective of keeping andreinforcing our leadership in those successfulareas, such as graphene research, ScanningProbe Microcopies of Nanobiotechnology, whilepromoting high-quality scientific research inthose areas in which it is missing and yet theyare recognized as strategically relevant for ourcountry. In the following we enumerate anumber of suggested actions that could help usgetting closer to our objectives:

• In the last few years, a number of researchcenters with specific focus on nanoscienceand nanotechnology have appeared indifferent regions of Spain. These centersshould keep a sufficient funding to becomeattractive to foreign researchers or Spanishresearchers working abroad.

• In order to keep the level of scientific fundinghigh in the midst of an economic crisis, it isimportant that serious evaluations ofresearch outcomes are routinely done, andthat the results of such evaluations is takeninto account to obtain further funding.

• Nanoscience is an interdisciplinary research

field in its very essence. Promotinginterdisciplinarity is thus an importantrequirement for leadership in nanoscienceresearch. Some actions that would helppromoting interdisciplinarity are thefollowing: positive evaluation ofinterdisciplinary curricula in calls for publicfunding; promotion of interdisciplinaryresearch centers, such as the newnanoscience centers; promotion ofpostgraduate master courses, perhaps bymerging some of the very specific coursesnowadays available in Spanish universitiesinto larger ones with broader scopes.

• Strategic research objectives should be clearlydefined, and sufficient funding should bedelivered as Strategic Actions into particularfields both to keep the leadership in successfulareas and promote new topics in the Spanishscientific landscape.

• In general a closer contact between scientificresearch and industry must be pursued.

5. Required infrastructure

The founding over the last few years of a number ofresearch centers with a focus on nanoscienceresearch can in principle provide the Spanish scientificcommunity with a strong structural basis to pursuescientific excellence and leadership worldwide.

In the next few years they should be equipped withthe scientific infrastructure and technology that willenable them to develop high-quality scientificresearch. The required investment must beevaluated by external scientific committees toensure that the funds are really helping capableresearchers to carry out relevant investigations.

Constant and fluid communication channels mustbe open among research groups and amongnanoscience centers. Thus, the creation of newscientific and technological networks and thepromotion of the already existing ones, such as thesuccessful NanoSpain network must be one of theaxes of scientific policy.

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Spanish scientific community will profitextraordinarily from the availability of largeinfrastructures, such as synchrotron radiationsources, in Spain.

The existence and use of these facilities must bepromoted by sufficient funding and quality staff,so that they can become competitive withsimilar European facilities, with which Spanishresearchers are already familiar and, in manycases experienced users.

6. Relevant initiatives

Spanish scientists in the NanostructuredMaterials research field can profit from severalSpanish and European initiatives aimed atseveral ends of networking, educationalopportunities, fundraising, etc. Some of theseopportunities are listed below:

• NanoSpain network (www.nanospain.org):This network brings together almost everyresearch group in the areas of Nanoscienceand Nanotechnology in Spain promotingcommunication and networking in differentways such as an annual conference.

• Master in Molecular Nanoscience(www.icmol.es/master/nnm/index.php):Postgraduate courses in Nanoscience in whichdifferent Universities are involved. It providesstudents with a general interdisciplinary viewof the different fields contributing toNanoscience.

• Many Universities in Spain offer postgraduatecourses in particular aspects of Nanoscienceand Nanotechnology.

7. Conclusions

The discovery of new and promising propertiesof nanostructures are revolutionizing the field ofMaterials Science. It is impossible today toimagine a future for Materials Science withoutincluding concepts, methods and materialstaken from the field of Nanoscience.

Several aspects of nanostructured materialsseem particularly relevant today, such as forexample carbon-based electronics, speciallybased on graphene and carbon nanotubes; theuse of nanoparticles in biomedicine; themagnetic properties of nanostructured materialsor the use of self-assembly processes to directthe growth of nanostructures.

Spain is performing well in some of these fields,although works still remains to be done in otherfields to achieve the level of scientific excellencein the international arena.

An adequate level of funding, evaluation ofscientific results and the promotion of the newNanoscience centers seem to be thecornerstones of any scientific policy aimed athelping the progress of Materials Nanosciencein our country.

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N A N O M E T R O L O G Y , N A N O - E C O - T O X I C O L O G YA N D S T A N D A R D I Z A T I O N

> XAVIER OBRADORS

Place and date of birthManresa (Spain), 1956

Education• Degree in Physics, Universitat de Barcelona , June 1978.• DEA in Physique des Solides, Université de Toulouse, June 1980.• Ph.D. in Physics, Universitat de Barcelona , October 1982.

• Doctorat Materials Science , Université Scientifique et Médicale de Grenoble , January1983.

Research and teaching positions• Assistant Professor, Universitat de Barcelona, June 1978-79.

• Doctoral fellow, CNRS Toulouse and Grenoble, 1979-82.• Postdoctoral fellow and Assistant Professor, Universitat de

Barcelona, 1982-85.• Professor, Universitat de Barcelona, 1985-89.

• Research scientist (1989-92) and Research Professor(1992-), National High Research Council.

• Head of the Dpt. of Magnetic and SuperconductingMaterials, 1991-2002.• Vice-Director (2002-2008) and Director (2008-)Materials Science Institute of Barcelona, CSIC.

Research interests and strategyThe research activity promoted within theMagnetic and Superconducting MaterialsDepartment at ICMAB-CSIC has always beenmarked by a very broad approach, includingmaterials preparation with controlledmicrostructures and the search for thecomprehension of the physical mechanismsunderlaying the magnetic and superconducting

properties of the materials. The generation ofindustrially significant knowledge, both in

materials processing and in electrotechnical devicedevelopment, has been strongly stimulated. Several

initiatives of technological transfer within anEuropean scenario have been carried out.

xavier.obradors@icmab.es

1. Introduction

The energy challenge of Humankind has becomeone of the greatest social, environmental,economical and technological (and hencescientific) priorities since the recognition thatglobal warming can’t be ignored any more.Achieving a reliable and sustainable energysupply and use is an issue of the highestrelevance in order to avoid an undesirableclimate change with potential devastating power.

At present the worldwide use of energy of fossilorigin is around 80 % while it is estimated thatto stabilize the CO2 content in the atmosphereat about 450-500 ppm (to limit the meantemperature increase of the earth to less than2-3OC) would require at least achieving 50 % ofclean energy (carbon-free), even including theexpected population rise (from ~6x109 to~10x109 inhabitants by 2050) and thecorresponding consumption increase per capita(mainly of the developing countries).

This vision is extremely challenging andtherefore intermediate objectives in terms ofreduction of green house gas (GHG) emissionsare being established. Europe, for instanceintends to achieve by 2020 the target of cutting20 % GHG emissions, increase the share ofrenewable generation to 20 % and reducing 20 %the use of primary energy through enhancedefficiency. The energy policies being considered

worldwide can only be successful through adecisive increase of the R&D on energytechnologies where many breakthroughs areneeded to fulfill the performances and costsrequired for a really successful low-carboneconomy. It is undoubtful that there is ampleroom for efficiency improvement onconventional fossil-related energy technologiesor nuclear energy and certainly new scientificdevelopments are capable of improvingincrementally its efficiency. This type of activitieswill not be covered by the present report.Instead, advanced technologies having a strongpotential to reduce GHG emissions and with along way to go in terms of technologicaldevelopment will be the main choice.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology, and thecorresponding materials technologies derivedfrom them, are crucial to achieve the ambitiousgoals established to create a myriad of newsustainable technologies. Actually, sustainabletechnologies are still on its infancy and they arevery far from their fundamental limits.

At the same time, we must be aware that theenergy industry is essentially driven by cost andso no significant change in the energy mix willoccur unless low cost is achieved in parallel to theenhanced performances based on variedfunctionalities. It is a big priority to break thisbottleneck to achieve a wide spread of renewableenergy sources and an efficient use of energy.

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Many different areas have a huge potential tocontribute to the energy challenge of 21st century,as it will be described later. However, it is clearthat the requirements of the new nanomaterialsto be used for energy purposes is that they canbe produced at large scale and at low cost.

Therefore the bottom-up approach tonanofabrication will be the preferred choice inthe long term, even if this may induce somereduction of performances. Top-downapproaches to nanomaterials fabrication can behowever considered as very appealing for “proof-of-principle” new technology demonstration oralso as elements for devices of intermediate costbut with very high performances.

While the nanofabrication issues considered forenergy uses are quite unique and require awidespread development of new methodologies,the demands in terms of nanoscalecharacterization are also very demandingbecause the advanced functionalities areassociated in most of the cases to interfaces ofmaterials with varied shapes and forms. It isparticularly outstanding the need of chemicalcomposition and structural characterization toolsat the nanoscale such as electron nanoscopy.

2. Worldwide state of the art

Energy harvesting, transport, storage and usecan be performed in many ways and under manycircumstances or for different purposes(transport, domestic, industry) therefore it is adifficult task to shortly summarize the R&Dadvances and the bottlenecks.

Even though, a classification of the worldwideactivities following the general energy “forms”has the advantage of some thematic similarity,even if an intermixing of all them can actuallynot be avoided. Three wide conceptual groupshave therefore been selected which cover thetwo more promising sustainable vectors, i.e.

electricity and hydrogen: chemical energy,electronic energy and electric energy.

2.1 Chemical energy

The most promising alternative to fossil fuels,particularly for transport purposes, is hydrogen,an energy carrier which is abundant in chemicalcompounds such as water and biomass. Whenused as vector of the hydrogen-water cycle itbecomes a sustainable choice if it uses renewableresources for generation. The whole cycleinvolves therefore generation, storage and finaluse, for instance with fuel cells. In all the threestages nanotechnology is required to achieve amature and efficient hydrogen energy chain.

Hydrogen production with low CO2 generationcan arise from biomass or by photocatalyticsplitting of water. Both strategies require specificnanostructured materials, either for catalyticpurposes or as semiconductors harvesting lightto split water. Noble metals supported on oxidenanoparticles continue to be the preferredchoice in these catalytic processes and muchmore knowledge is being generated about theactive sites and mechanisms through thestructural and spectroscopic analysis of surfacesoxides under real working conditions.

Oxide, oxynitride and sulfide nanoparticles andnanorods, together with semiconductingnanowires, are being very actively investigatedas photocathodes for electrochemical cellsperforming water splitting from the visible lightspectra. The tuning capability of the quantumyield has shown a steady progress based onfurther understanding of the physical andchemical processes involved.

The practical application of this technologyrequires an important increase of efficiencywhich must be linked to new materials discovery,as well as a tight control of nanostructure of thephotocatalysts and the semiconductors.

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Hydrogen storage is one of the main concernsfor any transport use of this fuel, the progress innanoscience and simulation to unveil thecapabilities of many types of materials tosurpass the many encountered challenges:nanoscale materials to minimize diffusion lengthand time, catalytic efficiency of molecularhydrogen splitting, chemical bonding, structuraland microstructural effects on hosts (light alloysor molecular compounds). A broad horizon hasbeen opened with such a demanding challengewhich now faces a new era for achieving therequired performances.

Fuel cells using hydrogen to generate efficientlyelectricity with water as exhaust are anenvironmentally friendly alternative with a highefficiency and versatility. Polymer electrodemembranes and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) aretwo alternative technologies working atdifferent temperatures which are continuouslydisplaying a progress in performance, life timeand cost reduction. One particular concern is tosubstitute expensive catalysts such as Pt.

Understanding the interplay betweennanostructure, composition and theperformances of electrolyte and electrodes(ionic conduction, electronic conduction,catalytic activity) and the quality of interfaces isa very challenging objective which registers acontinuous progress. Also the development ofnanostructured oxides electrolytes havedemonstrated a strongly enhanced interfacialionic conductivity which appears very promisingfor further reduction of the workingtemperature in SOFC. Advancedcharacterization techniques, such as 3Dtomography, greatly contribute to this purpose.An emerging application of such a devices is touse them in the reverse mode for chemicalenergy storage purposes.

The emerging hydrogen economy and itscompetitiveness in transportation or static

applications, and its practical complementaritiesand synergy with electricity as energy carrier,strongly rely on the advances in preparingnanostructured materials because all thementioned processes require interfacial gas-solid ionic and electronic exchanges amongdissimilar materials.

2.2 Electronic energy

Electronic materials are mainly semiconductorswhich can easily convert light or heat onelectrons and viceversa and are thereforeessential for energy purposes. It is particularlyworthwhile to stress the most promisingopportunities in photovoltaic generationconverting visible and UV photons (58 % of solarspectrum) on electrons and thermoelectricmaterials for electron generation from infraredradiation (42 % of the solar energy spectrum).Within this same classification we can includelightening materials such as LEDS.

Photovoltaic cells are usually classified as 1st

generation (Si based), 2nd generation (thin filmssuch as chalchogenides – CIGS and organic orhybrid cells) and 3rd generation (multijunctionand nanodot assisted semiconductor cells). Thethree categories are characterized in terms ofachievable efficiency and cost per useful power.While 1G cells can be fabricated with 20-25%efficiency (very near the thermodynamic limit of31%) but in limited surfaces, 2G cellsconcentrate on potentially large area materialswith reduced cost (organic and hybrid cells andthin films), at cost of reducing efficiency (8-10%at most at present). 3G cells are based onmultilayered semiconductors includingnanodots where efficiency can be very high(near 60%), even if they are fabricated at ahigher cost. The organic cells might to be usedon very wide areas, for instance as indirect lightrecycling devices, while the 3G cells are at thecore of solar concentration systems.

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Light harvesting efficiency and several nanoscaleprocesses dominate the efficiency of such cells,mainly in those classified in the 2G and 3Ggroups. Charge generation (exciton formation,electron – hole pair separation) and chargetransport to the corresponding electrodesavoiding recombination are the key issues. Manydifferent types of fully molecular organicmaterials or hybrid organic – inorganic are beinginvestigated as nanocomposite blends; p-typeconjugated polymers and n-type fullereneblends display the highest performance up tonow (~8%). Hybrid cells with p-typenanostructured inorganic semiconductors and p-type organic semiconductors are now beingdeeply investigated. All these cells can beprocessed through low cost techniques such assolution spin coating or ink jet printing.

The main issue here is to improve the quantumefficiency of light transformation, avoidingcharge recombination at defects and long termdegradation of the polymers. A very extensiveworldwide effort is being undertaken in this areawith emphasis on new molecular blends anddevice processability with the purpose ofreaching an enhanced efficiency and the costthreshold of 0.3 €/W. 3G multijunction cellsconsists mainly on III-V semiconductor stacksgrown by MBE or MOCVD, they absorb a widespectrum of visible light and hence overcomethe thermodynamic limit of 1G cells.

New concepts such as multiphoton absorptionthrough quantum nanodots and hot carriergeneration have fostered new nanotechnologybased devices and so this area is very active atpresent in relationship to the interest ofdeveloping MW-class photovoltaic solargenerators with power concentration ratios near1000. The idea of using self-assembled colloidalsemiconductor nanodots as solar energygenerators has been also recently raised and itsenormous potential has been widely stressed.As a last route to low cost cells we should

mention dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), firstintroduced by Grätzell. These cells usenanocrystalline oxide semiconductors(nanoporous, nanorods) in contact with organicdyes which generate electrons through aphotochemical reaction. These DSC cells havethe advantage of a low cost while they havealready achieved efficiencies beyond 10%. Theyare very well adapted to the needs of large areaapplications, such as in buildings.

About 40% of the solar spectrum belongs to be IRrange while about 50% of the primary energyends up as heat. Therefore, there is an extremelylarge room for direct recycling of such energy intoelectric generation through thermoelectricdevices. This old phenomenon has recently seenan outstanding revival due to the discovery ofeither new materials or the development ofnanostructured materials where the conflictingfunctionalities can be combined.

Thermoelectrical power, electrical and thermalconductivity can be controlled through quantumsize effects and hence semiconducting nanowireengineering has turned out an emergingresearch field demanding deep consideration.

As a final technology with a large potential toreduce energy consumption and CO2 emissionsthrough enhanced efficiency we should mentionlightening materials (~20% electricity consumptionworldwide). Inorganic semiconductor LEDs andOLEDs are being widely investigated as solidstate systems which promise a deep worldwiderevolution because of its enhanced efficiency.Increase of efficiency and lifetime, as well as thedevelopment of white light generation, all at lowcost, are the more challenging objectives in thisfield. The use of phosphors to convert UV lightinto visible light is also a very promising route.

Overall the present roadmaps indicate that in10-20 years LED’S will be the dominanttechnology and hence many materials

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developments with nanostructure control willbe required. Particularly, novel wide band gapsemiconductors such a ZnO or some nitrides arebeing widely investigated.

2.3 Electrical energy

Electrical energy has been continuouslyincreasing its share as energy vector since itsimplementation, achieving at present valuesnear 40%. It is expected that this process willcontinue in the future. Particularly the cleannessof this vector greatly facilitates its use intransport systems (at present associated to 30%of the total fossil fuel consumption).Additionally, the increasing demand ofenhanced reliability and power quality, evenwith a strong increase of the intermittency ofrenewable generation, has raised the concept ofsmart grids where new semiconducting powerelectronics and superconducting power systemsare needed. Even though, the issue of achievingefficient electricity storage systems continues tobe a key issue for any future development of thisenergy vector. We will therefore review as wellelectrochemical energy storage systems such asbatteries and supercapacitors.

Electrical batteries and supercapacitors cover awide spectrum of the Ragone diagram (powerdensity – energy density) and the improvementrely on a full understanding of the electrical andelectrochemical processes in relationship withthe structural and chemical transformations atthe nanoscale. Li ion batteries are the mostpromising systems for hybrid and electrical carsand so the major developments are associatedto electrodes for Li insertion. A major concern isto avoid material aging during the charge -discharge processes and to reduce the requiredtime. These issues have been found to be muchreduced in oxide or phosphate electrodes withnanometric dimensions (nanowires, nanoparticles)where lattice expansion do not degrade theperformances. Conflicting functionalities can be

very often overcome through the development ofnanocomposite materials which can combine highelectronic conductivity with a fast and safe Li ioninsertion capability, thus becoming a verypromising route to new advanced batterysystems. Nanoscale interfacial and straincharacterization together with in-situ structuralmodification analysis of materials bearing a highdegree of disorder are key problems requiringconvenient tools such as HRTEM and scatteringtechniques (neutrons, synchrotron radiation).

Supercapacitors are based on high surface areananomaterials where the idea of a double layercharge accumulation is implemented veryefficiently. These systems can be assimilated toa set of series capacitor system where theelectrical charge is accumulated at the electrodeinterfaces.

The main advantage of these storage systems istheir fast charge – discharge times (onlyelectronic charge transport is involved, nochemical reaction) and hence they are usefulcomplements to conventional batteries(accumulation of car breaking energy forinstance). Conversely, only a low energy densityhas been achieved up to now, although newideas are promising to enhance it. The mostwidely investigated materials for such systemsare Carbon based porous materials (nanotubes,fibres, etc.) although other alternatives such asanodized alumina membranes coated withmetals (ALD) or mesoporous transition metaloxides have recently appeared as very efficientmaterials with potential for increasing also theenergy density. A particular concern in suchnanoporous materials is to achieve a tightcontrol of the pore size.

Superconducting materials have generated aboost of new efficient and reliable powersystems having a huge potential for smartelectrical energy distribution, energy storageand generation and final use (motors).

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The key development for a fast marketpenetration is to fabricate long-lengthnanostructured conductors at low cost, mainlythrough chemical deposition methodologies.The most promising materials are at present theso called 2nd generation (2G) coatedconductors, based on YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO).

The first goal has been to avoid the detrimentaleffect of grain boundaries on critical currentdensity and this has already been achievedthrough clever methodologies to develop oxideepitaxial layers on metallic substrates whilekeeping structural control at the nanoscale.Industrial production of 2G conductors over kmlengths has been already demonstrated althoughmuch more effort is still required to simplify theirarchitecture and hence reduce the cost.

A second boost on performance of 2Gsuperconductors has been recentlydemonstrated through the development ofnanocomposite films and conductors. The goalhere is to create a network of nanometric non-superconducting phases (nanodots, nanorods)within the superconducting matrix which pinvortices and hence increase the critical currentat high temperatures and under high magneticfields.

Understanding the growth mechanisms ofcomplex oxide nanocomposites and theinfluence of induced strain on thesuperconducting properties is one of the presentbottlenecks for further development ofmaterials with enhanced performance.

For the first time, the performance of thesenanostructured superconductors has surpassedat 77OK those of low Tc superconductors at liquidHe temperature.

Very high magnetic fields are expected to becreated for magnets (fusion), generation (windenergy), motors (ships) and energy storage

systems. In spite of the remarkable progressalready achieved, there is still a large margin forimprovement because the theoretical limits ofthese materials are still well above the achievedcritical currents. It’s particularly essential tounderstand properly the relationship betweennanostructure and vortex pinning properties.

These conductors have demonstrated currentdensities 10 times higher than Cu and so thedevelopment of high power underground cables(5-7 times conventional wire power) is one ofthe closest priorities, together with Fault currentlimiters to reach a smarter grid allowing tointegrate the renewable energies The worldwideroadmaps defined up to now suggests aprogressive penetration of this new technologyin the market of power systems in the next 10-20years.

3. International publications (2007-2009)

A selection of publications spanning all the fieldsmentioned before is reported here.

•J. Gutiérrez, A. Llordés, J. Gázquez, M. Gibert,N. Romà, S. Ricart, A. Pomar, F. Sandiumenge,N. Mestres, T. Puig and X. Obradors.Strong isotropic flux pinning in solution-derived YBa2Cu3O7-x nanocompositesuperconductor films. Nature Materials, 6 (2007), pp. 367-373.

•B. E. Hardin, E.T. Hoke, P.B. Armstrong, J.H.Yum, P. Comte, T. Torres, J.M.J. Frechet, M.K.Nazeeruddin, M. Gratzel and M.D. McGeheeIncreased light harvesting in dye-sensitizedsolar cells with energy relay dyes. Nature Photonics, 3 (2009), pp. 406-411.

•H. Gommans, T. Aernouts, B. Verreet, P.Heremans, A. Medina, C.G. Claessens, GChristian and T. Torres.Perfluorinated Subphthalocyanine as a NewAcceptor Material in a Small-Molecule BilayerOrganic Solar Cell.

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Advanced Functional Materials, 19 (2009), pp.3435-3439.

•M. R. Palacín.Recent advances in rechargeable batterymaterials: a chemist's perspective. Chemical Society Reviews, 38 (9), (2009), pp.2565-2575.

•G. F. Ortíz, I. Hanzu, T. Djenizian, P. Lavela, J. L.Tirado and P. Knauth.Alternative Li-Ion Battery Electrode Based onSelf-Organized Titania Nanotubes. Chemistry of Materials, 21 (2009), pp. 63-67.

•M. Gibert, T. Puig, X. Obradors, A. Benedetti,F. Sandiumenge and R. Hühne.Self-organization of heteroepitaxial CeO2nanodots grown from chemical solutions. Advanced Materials, 19 (2007), pp. 3937-3942.

•J. Gutiérrez, T. Puig, M. Gibert, C. Moreno, N.Roma, A. Pomar and X. Obradors.Anisotropic c-axis pinning in interfacial self-assembled nanostructured trifluoracetate-YBa2Cu3O7-x films. Applied Physics Letters, 94 (2009), art.172513.

•F. Fabregat-Santiago, J. Bisquert, L. Cevey, P.Chen, M.K. Wang, S.M. Zakeeruddin, M. Shaikand M. Gratzel.Electron Transport and Recombination inSolid-State Dye Solar Cell with Spiro-OMeTADas Hole Conductor. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131(2009), pp. 558-562.

•J. Álvarez-Quintana, X. Álvarez, J. Rodríguez-Viejo, D. Jou, P.D. Lacharmoise, A. Bernardi,A.R. Goni and M.I. Alonso.Cross-plane thermal conductivity reduction ofvertically uncorrelated Ge/Si quantum dotsuperlattices. Applied Physics Letters, 93 (2008), art. 03112.

•J. García-Barriocanal, A. Rivera-Calzada, M.Varela, Z. Sefrioui, E. Iborra, C. León, S. J.

Pennycook and J. Santamaría.Colossal ionic conductivity at the interfaces ofepitaxial ZrO2:Y2O3/ SrTiO3 heterostructures.Science 321 (2008), pp. 676-680.

•S.A. Haque, S. Koops, N. Tokmoldin, J. R.Durrant, J. S. Huang, D.D.C. Bradley and E.Palomares.A multilayered polymer light-emitting diodeusing a nanocrystalline metal-oxide film as acharge-injection electrode. Advanced Materials, 19 (2007), pp. 683-687.

•R. Otero, D. Ecija, G. Fernández, J. M. Gallego,L. Sánchez, N. Martin and R. Miranda.An organic donor/acceptor lateralsuperlattice at the nanoscale. Nano Letters, 7 (2007), pp. 2602-2607.

•R. M. Navarro, M. C. Sánchez-Sánchez, M. C.Alvarez-Galván, F. del Valle and J. L. G. Fierro.Hydrogen production from renewablesources: biomass and photocatalyticopportunities.Energy & Environmental Science, 2 (2009), pp.35-54.

•S. Colodrero, A. Mihi , L. Haggman , M. Ocana,G. Boschloo, A. Hagfeldt and H. Miguez.Porous One-Dimensional Photonic CrystalsImprove the Power-Conversion Efficiency ofDye-Sensitized Solar Cells.Advanced Materials, 21 (2009), pp. 764-770.

•I. González-Valls and M. Lira-Cantu.Vertically-aligned nanostructures of ZnO forexcitonic solar cells: a review. Energy & Environmental Science, 2 (2009), pp.19-34.

4. Initiatives to be undertaken in Spain withinthe period 2010-2013

The R&D activities related to the energy sectorhave remained much dispersed up to now whileit has become critical nowadays to achieve acritical mass in those domains where there is

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clear technological demand. The chain value forenergy related issues is very wide, spanning fromnanoscience and advanced materials, tomaterials engineering, systems developmentand integration and final use, including marketpull views and regulations.

It is clear that Spain has a large offer ofcompanies related to the final use of energywhich can play a catalytic role for the whole chainvalue mentioned above. Also specific regulationand governmental actions can decisively fosterthe industrial dynamism of this sector.

Unless decisive actions are taken to promote thetransformation of more traditional industries intothis new sector and to create new high-techcompanies it is very likely that the final usercompanies will base their business fully onmaterials, components and devices producedabroad.

It is also worth to stress, however, that this is aglobal business and so in most of the cases theSpanish industry will need to be integrated intoEuropean initiatives in order to have a global size.Hence it becomes very important to establishstrategic actions and alliances much before thanany product becomes a commercial reality.

In most of the cases the research groups beingactive in Spain in the areas mentioned within the“State of the art” section have not achievedenough critical mass to become leaders in theinternational scene, even if in many cases theresearch activities carried out have a verysignificant impact.

The establishment of larger research projects,such as the Consolider programs, has helped toa certain degree to overcome this limitation.

Still, however, these programs have not beenaccompanied by the necessary investments oninfrastructures and so the expected outputs

should be limited. Additionally, the link betweenthese research-based programs and the existingdevelopment and valorization programs is veryweak and it should be strengthened.

Properly addressed roadmaps integrating themultiple initiatives would certainly help tomaximize the overall efficiency of the R+D+isystem.

The research activities on Nanomaterials forenergy require quite specific equipments andfacilities and very often the implementation ofresearch centers on Nanoscience andnanotechnology do not cope adequately withthese specific needs.

The “bottom-up” approach characterizing theseactivities require specific laboratories,equipments and advanced characterizationfacilities which are not being properly attendedup to now. It is also worth to stress the need ofsignificant efforts on multiscale nanomaterialssimulation to cope with the complexity of themany phenomena involved.

It is important to point out as well the need, inthe very early stage of development, of scaling-up the production of nanomaterials in order tointegrate them in demonstrators of systems ordevices for further engineering developmentneeds to be properly considered.

The demonstration stage is essential in this area;otherwise the new technology penetration isdelayed and the capability of innovation throughtechnology transfer is lost.

On the other hand, the field of Nanomaterialsfor energy requires an accelerated action toprepare highly skilled personnel; otherwisethere will a very important shortage of trainedscientists and technologists in a wide span ofnew technologies being developed. It istherefore very important to define priorities for

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PhD fellowships, postgraduate courses andtechnical staff recruitment.

In conclusion, the proposed priority actions tobe considered to foster a successful R&D&i inthe area of Nanomaterials for energy are thefollowing:

• To define a few specific areas and laboratories(or networks) where research actionsincluding nanoscience-based materials aretaken with the purpose of integrating the fullchain of value. The definition of mid and longterm roadmaps should be a specificrequirement of this initiative. The goal will beto achieve a scientific and technologicalleadership position.

• The initiatives should involve scientific groupswith the required know-how and industriesfrom the whole chain of value, from themanufacturing sector to the final users,including the corresponding systemdevelopment companies.

The initiative should have also as an objectiveto promote the creation of spin-offcompanies to develop the scientific advancesworth of being commercialized and to handlean aggressive IPR policy.

• To establish advanced research facilities innanoscience with open access and adapted tothe required bottom-up nanofabrication needs.

Also to generalize the implementation ofadvanced characterization facilities such as“Nanoscopy spectroscopy centers” with thenecessary equipment and technical skills tocope with the demand of research having veryspecific features relevant to this field.

• To engage specific actions to attract highlymotivated students to the field ofnanomaterials for energy and energytechnologies in general. Outreach activitiesstressing the potential of nanoscience to

address the energy challenge should bestrongly promoted.

5. Required infrastructure to reach theobjectives (2010-2013)

• Nanofabrication units adapted to therequirements of the materials for energy,mainly based on bottom-up approaches.Specifically, clean room areas with toolsadapted to the chemical processes and in-situcharacterization methodologies should bemade available. These facilities should allowindividual researchers and small researchgroups to explore new ideas fast and usingthe most advanced methodologies.

• Advanced characterization facilities withcapabilities adapted to the specificcharacteristics of the nanomaterials forenergy. Electron nanoscopic research is aparticularly useful area becausecompositional and structural analysis may beperformed altogether. Very significantadvances have been made recently in thisarea (aberration correction microscopes intransmission and scanning modes) whichrequires a decisive action to keep the pace inthe international scene. Three dimensionalmicrostructure imaging analysis by electrontomography is also becoming a useful tool forthe complex arrangement of componentsincluding nanomaterials for energy.

• Advanced tools for sample preparation are alsoneeded to make a full use of thesemethodologies. The use of the newsynchrotron radiation center ALBA will alsohelp to carry out advanced structural andspectroscopic analysis of energy-relatednanomaterials. Finally, specific physical andchemical characterization tools with nanoscaleanalysis adapted to the complexfunctionalities of energy-related materialsshould be more widely implemented and/ordeveloped.

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• Mid-size materials fabrication laboratoriesintegrating the developments onnanomaterials. These laboratories are veryspecific but they are a key requirement toachieve a mature development for any newemerging technology.

• Materials engineering skills are required andtheir implementation should help to gain therequired vertical integration of the wholechain of value.

6. Relevant initiatives and projects

• Several materials research projects of theNational Research Plan (Materials andNanoscience strategic action) are related to thearea of nanoscience in energy-related topics.

• Also many master courses devoted to energyresearch are already offered by severalUniversities in Spain. A significant part ofthese masters include materials relatedissues.

Only a few examples of large research projectsrelated to nanomaterials for energy arementioned here.

6.1 Spain

CONSOLIDER Projects

• Research on a New Generation of Materials,Cells and Systems for the PhotovoltaicConversion (GENESIS-FV).

CSD 2006-00004, Coordinator: Luque López,Antonio, Center: Instituto de Energía Solar dela Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

• Hybrid Optoelectronic and Photovoltaic forRenewable Energy (HOPE).

CSD 2007-00007, Coordinator: Juan BisquertMascarell, Center: Escuela Técnica Superior deIngeniería de la Universidad Jaume I,Castellón.

• Molecular nanoscience (NANOMOL).

CSD 2007-00010, Coordinator: EugenioCoronado Miralles, Center: Instituto de CienciaMolecular de la Universidad de Valencia.

• Advanced materials and Nanotechnologies forinnovative Electrical, Electronic andmagnetoelectronic devices (NANOSELECT).

CSD 2007-00041, Coordinator: XavierObradors Berenguer, Center: CSIC Instituto deCiencia de Materiales de Barcelona.

• Advanced Wide Band Gap SemiconductorDevices for Rational Use of Energy.

CSD 2009-00046, Coordinator: José MillánGómez, Center: CSIC Centro Nacional deMicroelectrónica.

• Developments of more efficient catalysts forthe design of sustainable chemical processesand clean energy production.

CSD 2009-00050, Coordinator: Avelino Corma,Center: CSIC Instituto de Tecnología Química.

Additionally, it is worth to mention thatseveral new research centers have beenimplemented in Spain related to the topicsmentioned in this report.

New research centers in Spain

• L’Institut de Recerca de l’Energia de Catalunya(IREC). New energy research center, Catalonia.

• Centro de Investigación Cooperativa CICenergiGUNE. New energy research center,Basque Country.

• IMDEA Energía. New research center, Madrid.

6.2 Europe

A selection of EU based projects in the fieldswith Spanish participation:

• High performance nanostructured coatedconductors by chemical processing (HIPERCHEM).

NMP3-CT-2005-516858, 2005-2008,

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Coordinator: ICMAB-CSIC.

• Efficient environmental-friendly electro-ceramics coating technology and synthesis(EFECTS).

EFECTS-205854-1, 2008-2011, ICMAB-CSIC.

• Development and field test of an efficientYBCO Coated Conductor based Fault CurrentLimiter for Operation in Electricity Networks(ECCOFLOW).

ECCOFLOW-241285, 2010-2013, ICMAB-CSIC,Endesa, Labein.

• Modelling of interfaces for high performancesolar cell materials (HIPERSOL).

HIPERSOL-228513, 2009-2012, ISOFOTON, S.A.

• Development of photovoltaic textiles based onnovel fibres (DEPHOTEX).

DEPHOTEX-214459, 2008-2011, CETEMMSA,CENER-CIEMAT, Asociación de la IndustriaNavarra.

• Intermediate band materials and solar cellsfor photovoltaics with high efficiency andreduced cost (IBPOWER).

IBPOWER-211640, 2008-2012, UniversidadPolitécnica de Madrid.

• Efficient and robust dye sensitzed solar cellsand modules (ROBUST DSC).

ROBUST DSC-212792, 2008-2011, InstitutCatalà d’Investigació Química, UniversidadAutónoma de Madrid.

• Smart light collecting system for the efficiencyenhancement of solar cells (EPHOCELL).

EPHOCELL-227127, 2009-2013,Acondicionamiento Tarrasense Asociación,MP Bata Consultoria Medioambiental S.L.CIDETE Ingenieros S.L., Universitat Politecnicade Catalunya.

• NAnostructured Surface Activated ultra-thinOxygen Transport Membrane (NASA-OTM).

NASA-OTM-228701, 2009-2012, InstalacionesINABENSA, S.A., CSIC.

• Nanostructured Electrolyte Membranes Basedon Polymer-Ionic Liquids-Zeolite Compositesfor High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell(ZEOCELL).

ZEOCELL-209481, 2008-2010, Universidad deZaragoza, Celaya Emparanza y Galdos SA,CIDETEC.

• Nanotechnology for advanced rechargeablepolymer lithium batteries (NANOPOLIBAT).

FP6-NMP-2004-33195, 2006-2009, Institut deCiència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC).

• Large-Area CIS Based Thin-Film Solar Modulesfor Highly Productive Manufacturing (LARCIS).

FP6-SUSTDEV-19757, 2005-2009, Universitatde Barcelona.

• Advanced Thin-Film Technologies for CostEffective Photovoltaics (ATHLET).

FP6-SUSTDEV-19670, 2006-2009, Centro deInvestigaciones Energéticas,Medioambientales y Tecnológicas.

• Ionic liquid based Lithium batteries (ILLIBATT).

FP6-NMP-2004-33181, 2007-2010, CelayaEmparanza y Galdos SA, CIDETEC.

• Advanced lithium energy storage systemsbased on the use of nano-powders and nano-composite electrodes/electrolytes (ALISTORE).

FP6-SUSTDEV-503532, 2004-2008, Institut deCiència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Universidad de Córdoba.

7. Conclusions

Spain is particularly well positioned in theinternational scene in the field of energytechnologies, with several companies andindustrial sectors being widely recognized for its

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innovative profile. Research in energytechnologies and materials related issues,particularly nanoscience and nanotechnology, isnow very stringently promoted worldwide, linkedwith the urgent need of addressing the energychallenge of the 21st century. Therefore, it is clearthat it’s strategically very important to position theR&D&i in nanomaterials for energy as a priority.

A certain number of initiatives have beenalready engaged to develop the abovementioned potential, however, there are stillmany drawbacks in the coordination ofinitiatives and in the definition of prioritieswhich have been described here in a certaindetail. For sure, nanomaterials for energy bringsa timely and unique opportunity for innovationwhich Spain can not miss, mainly taking intoaccount the present need for a turning point inour economic model.

References

1 US Department of Energy reports (www.sc.doe.gov/bes/reports)

• “Basic research needs to assure a secureenergy future”

• “Workshop on solar energy utilization”• “Basic research needs for the Hydrogen eco-

nomy”• “Basic research needs for superconductivity”• “Basic research needs for Solid state lighting”• “Basic research needs for electrical energy

storage”• “Grid 2030: a national vision for electricity’s

second 100 years”• “Transforming electricity delivery – Strategic

plan” (2007).

2 “Climate change“, Science 302, 1719 - 1926(2003).

3 “Climate change”, Nature 445, 578 - 582 (2007).

4 N.S.Lewis, “Powering the planet”, MRS Bulletin32, 808 (2007).

5 “Climate change 2007”, IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change report, CambridgeUniv. Press (2007) (www.ipcc.ch).

6 R. E. Smalley, MRS Bulletin 30, 412 (2005); D. J.Nelson, M. Strano, Nature Nanotechnology 1, 96(2006).

7 “Alternative energy technologies”, Nature 441,332 - 377 (2001).

8 “Harnessing Materials for energy”, MRS Bulle-tin 38, 261 - 477 (2008).

9 “Novel materials for energy applications”, Eu-ropean Comission, I. Vouldis, P. Millet and J.L.Vallés eds. (2008).(http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/).

10 Toward a Hydrogen economy”, Science 305,957 – 1126 (2004).

11 A. P. Malozemoff, Nature Materials 6, 617(2007).

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58

> JOSEP SAMITIER

Place and date of birthBarcelona (Spain), 1960

Education• M.S. Degree; Physics; Barcelona University.

• Ph.D Degree; Physics; Barcelona University.Thesis Title: GaAs MESFET Devices and electro-

optical characterization of III-V semiconductors.

Profesional Experience• Full Professor of Electronics, BarcelonaUniversity. • Chair of Department of Electronics,Barcelona University. • Director of the NanobioengineeringLaboratory (IBEC). Director of BioengineeringSection.• Barcelona Science Park. Deputy headElectronic Engineering School.• Visiting Professor LAAS (Toulouse).

• Assistant professor of Electronics.• Visiting research fellow at the Philips

Electronic Laboratory (LEP) Paris (France).

Honors and AwardsBarcelona city Prize in the area of technology.

jsamitier@ibecbarcelona.eu

59

1. Introduction

Nanomedicine has emerged as a novel fieldwhich involves the application ofnanotechnology to human health. Varioustherapeutic and diagnostic modalities have beendeveloped which can potentially revolutionizedisease diagnostic and treatment. The know-how in nanotechnology offers new ways tocreate better laboratory diagnostic tools fornon-invasive screening.

Accurate and early diagnosis, will facilitatetimely clinical intervention and can mitigate pa-tient risk and disease progression. Theconventional oral and parental routes of drugadministration have several disadvantages owingto altered pharmacokinetic parameters and widespread distribution. Targeted delivery of drugs,nucleic acids and other molecules usingnanoparticles are the focus of current researchand development. The goal of tissue engineer-ing or regenerative medicine is the improvement,repair, or replacement of tissue and organfunction. The ultimate goal is to enable the bodyto heal itself by introducing and engineeredscaffold that the body recognizes as own. Thechallenges are not minor. If nanotechnology is tobe translated into meaningful benefits forpatients, innovation in the laboratory must besupported by the pillars of evidence basedmedicine and predictable regulatory pathways.

2. State of the Art nanomedicine (from thenanomedicine roadmap 2020)

2.1 Regenerative Medicine

A really broad definition of Regenerative Medicineincludes the repair, replacement, or regenerationof damaged tissues or organs with a combinationof several technological approaches, which can beroughly devided into two subareas: smartbiomaterials and advanced cell therapy.

Smart Biomaterials

Since 2006, research on biomaterials has fosteredmany steps forward and significant changes onthe tissue regeneration approach. Majorattention has been given to the importance ofbiomaterial mode of action. Research efforts havemoved from the development of inert polymerswhich mimic the biomechanical properties ofnative tissue to bioactive materials whichpromote the tissue self healing.

The development of smart biomaterial can be dividedinto two phases: discovery and process optimization. Inthe discovery phase, the main issue is productcharacterization. 3D functional assays and devices tomeasure intracellular signals are useful tools in thisphase. The process optimization phase involves thetranslation of prototype into product assuring scalability,quality, and safety of the proposed treatment.

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Cell therapies

From May 2005 the European Commissionprepared several draft regulation intended toharmonize in EU the legislation on human tissueengineered products. The finalization of acommon European regulatory frameworkrequired slow and complex public consultation,which ended in September 2008 with thepublication of the final guidelines.

The development of an effective cell therapyincludes different phases: the identification ofbest materials for cell transplantation and theoptimization of the production process. The firstphase takes into account the development andcharacterization of different devices for celltransplantation. The process optimization phaseinvolves quantifying the relationship betweenculture parameters and cell output, as well asresearch on scale-up. The third phase consists oftoxicology assessment and quality control fortherapeutic delivery of the cell product.

Cell-materials compounds or engineered tissuescan be considered as a “delivery system” wherethe cells are immobilised within polymeric andbiocompatible devices and secrete therapeuticproducts. In this light, drug delivery control is akey parameter for the development of a newmedicine. Research on biomaterials has beenfocused on the design of safe andmanufacturable technologies for the local andsystemic delivery of therapeutic molecules fromthe enclosed cells.

2.2 Drug Delivery (Nanopharmaceutical andNanodevices)

One area identified of being crucial for futurebreakthroughs is the area of Nano-encapsulationor nanodelivery systems that have a significanttherapeutic payload and are capable of beingtransported through biological barriers. Such

particles should be biocompatible and acceptableto regulatory agencies e.g. not retained in thebody, even if inert. Therapeutic particles shouldbe relatively inexpensive, manufacturable,acceptable to regulators, and stable to storage.

Another topic will be that of transporters ortechnologies capable of moving therapeuticnanoparticles across biological membranes,tissues or organs at a transport rate such thattherapy can be effective. For proteins for examplethis lies in the range of 10 mgs per day orally.

Besides that, the choice of the delivery route orthe barriers to be crossed will be important, e.g.Intracellular, Dermal, Oral, Pulmonary, BloodBrain Barrier. This choice will determine thetechnologies applicable. Another factor to beaddressed will be the bioavailability ofmacromolecule which has to be larger than 10%.

The choice of the therapeutic modality will beessential. This could include proteins, antibod-ies, nucleic acids, peptide mimetics, PNAs,foldamers, “non-Lipinski” molecules andmaterials that require some external activationsuch as ultrasound. Small molecules could alsobe included but they normally already have agood bioavailability and expensive deliverytechnologies may not be reimbursed makingthem probably a lower priority.

To bring to the market new therapeuticmodalities or to expand the current clinical usesof biologicals therapeutic entities such as nucleicacids are required. Such new therapeutic classesshould offer radical improvements in thetreatment of difficult diseases.

2.3 Diagnostics

The area of diagnostics can be divided into invivo and in vitro technologies. In both areas thegoal is to detect an evolving disease as early as

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possible up to the point of detecting single cellsor biomarkers indicating the onset of a disease.Major objectives are the development of:

• Devices for combined structural andfunctional imaging,

• Portable point of care devices,

• Devices for multi parameter measurement(multiplexing),

• Devices for monitoring therapy andpersonalized medicine.

In the In vivo imaging area some substantialchallenges have been identified. One of theforemost obstacles is the difficulty in obtaining anapproval of new and innovative contrast agents.

This includes obviously also the necessity toconfirm the benefits for the patients.Challenging is as well the task to further improvethe imaging equipment as such and not to forgetthe training of endusers. Nanotechnology cancontribute to the development of the in vivoimaging area by two means:

• Improving the existing and/or discoveringnew quantitative imaging systems.

• Developing new contrast agents forenhancing contrast.

The benefits expected from nanotechnology aremainly based on the physical and chemicalproperties of novel materials at the nanoscale.However, the development of nanotech based invivo imaging also depends on several non-technical parameters like, regulatory approval ofcontrast agents, education and training ofhealthcare operators and healthcarereimbursement policy.

While some conventional imaging modalities likePET1, MRI2, SPECT3, US4, are revisited bynanotech, some new imaging modalities like theMPI5 method (by Philips) are currently under

development. The trend here is clearly onimplementing these imaging modalities alone orin combination.

Miniaturization of imaging devices andimprovement of technical specifications ofexisting imaging systems can be achieved thanksto nanotechnology. In the perspective ofdeveloping a lightweight, small footprint CT6

system, a proposed disruptive technology usescarbon nanotube based X-Ray sources in CT toshrink the size of the complete systems. Thiswould allow to bring CT to the doctor’s officesor even to ambulances. On the opposite, “babycyclotrons” seem to be out of reach.

In vivo imaging can also be used for guidingtherapy with MR, PET, Optical and X-ray/CT,MRgFUS for biopsy and drug release. Targetedtherapy is expected to lead to improved quality ofhealthcare, in reducing treatments withunsatisfactory patient outcome or with adverseeffects.

Reducing the concentration of contrast agentsis one means to reduce costs. The characteristicsof contrast agents (size, composition, coating,and physical properties) can be adjusted torespond efficiently to design requirements, forinstance for a better sensitivity and specificity.

Another option is to design or develop acontrast medium capable of serving severalmodalities. This could consequently also reducethe volumes and reinjection rates. In fact, thesecontrast agents which can be used in differentmodalities separately or combined in amultimodality approach are highly desirable.

New types of carriers for contrast agents areenvisaged such as magnetic nanoparticles oreven empty viruses or magnetic bacteria.Magnetic particles would offer higher efficiencydue to narrower magnetic characteristicdistribution, precise control of magnetic

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properties, and an inherent potential for lowercosts. The production of magnetic nanoparticlescould also be envisaged by biomimetictemplating. Another category of nanoscaleparticles are crystalline nanoparticles used fortherapeutic purposes or for diagnosticapplications in combination with external devicessuch as MRI, Laser, Radiotherapy, CT Scan,Ultrasound, HF, etc. In particular the up-scalingof the production methods for contrast agents isthought to provide a great economic potentialthat could create substantial economic returns.

3. International publications

If you introduce the world nanomedicine in theweb (www.gopubmed.com/web/gopubmed) weobtain 1,388 documents distributed.

We observe that Spain is in the second positionafter USA, and Barcelona is the second city afterBoston.

Its difficult to remark the most important paperpublished, so we prefer to summire the bestresults and challenges of nanomedicinepublished in some review and opinion papers as:

•Seven Challenges for nanomedicine, Naturenanotechnology Vol 3 May 2008.

•Emerging trends of nanomedicine anoverview, Fundamental & ClinicalPharmacology 23 (2009) 263-269.

•Translational nanomedicine: status asessementand opportunities, Nanomedicine Vol 5 (2009)251-273.

•Designer Biomaterials for nanomedicine, Adv.Funct. Mater 2009 19 3843-3854.

•Detecting rae cancer cells, Naturenanotechnology, Vol 4 Dec 2009 798-799.

•Nanomedicine – challenge and perspectives,Angew. Chem. Int. 2009 48, 972-897.

•Nanomedicine: perspective and promises withligand-directed molecular imaging, EuropeanJ. of radiology 70 (2009) 274-285.

4. Initiatives

Nanomedicine European Technology Platform(ETP)

The Nanomedicine ETP is important initiative ledby industry set up together with the EuropeanCommission. A group of 53 Europeanstakeholders composed of industrial andacademic experts established the EuropeanTechnology Platform on nanomedicine in 2005.The first task of this high level group was to writea vision document for this highly future-orientedarea of nanotechnology-based health-care inwhich experts describe an extrapolation ofneeds and possibilities until 2020. At thebeginning of 2006 the Platform was opened towider participation (currently 95 memberorganisations) and has delivered a so-calledStrategic Research Agenda showing a wellelaborated common European way of workingtogether for the healthcare of the future tryingto match the high expectations thatnanomedicine has raised so far. In 2009 the ETP

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published the Nanomedicine roadmap 2020:(www.etp-nanomedicine.eu/public).

The Spanish Technology Platform onNanoMedicine (STPNM) is a joint initiativebetween Spanish industries and research centresworking on nanotechnologies for medicalapplications. This initiative is supported by theSpanish government through the Centre forIndustrial Technology Development (CDTI) andthe Spanish Ministries of Science and Innovation(MICINN), Industry, Tourism and Trade (MICyT),and Health (MSC).

The main objectives of the Platform are:

• Improve the collaboration within theNanomedicine community in Spain avoidingfragmentation and lack of coordination,

• Promote the participation of Spanishstakeholders in international initiatives, fromtransnational cooperations to Europeanprojects, especially regarding the EuropeanTechnology Platform,

• Establish recommendations concerningstrategic research lines in the Nanomedicinefield,

• Dissemination of Nanomedicine results to thescientific community and society-at-large.

The focus of the Spanish Platform, with morethan 150 members, is divided in five strategicpriorities: Nanodiagnostics; RegenerativeMedicine; Drug Delivery; Toxicity andRegulation; and Training and Communication.This activity has facilitated a wide participationof Platform members in Spanish strategicresearch programmes run by the Spanishgovernment through the Ingenio 2010 initiative.In September 2006 the Spanish Platformpublished a report focused on current status ofNanomedicine in Spain “strategic vision ofnanomedicine in Spain” in order to establishresearch and development priorities and action

plans on certain strategic issues to be solved inthe medium to long term. (www.nanomedspain.net).

The INGENIO 2010 programme aims to achievea gradual focus of these resources on strategicactions to meet the challenges faced by theSpanish Science and Technology System. Thisgradual focus will be achieved by allocating asignificant portion of the minimum annualincrease of 25% in the national R&D andInnovation budget to strategic initiativesgrouped in three major lines of action:

• The CENIT Program (National StrategicTechnological Research Consortiums) tostimulate R&D and Innovation collaborationamong companies, universities, publicresearch bodies and centres, scientific andtechnological parks and technological centres.The CENIT program cofinance major public-private research activities. These projects willlast a minimum of 4 years with a minimumannual budgets of 5 million euros, where i) aminimum of 50% will be funded by the privatesector, and ii) at least 50% of the publicfinancing will go to public research centres ortechnological centres.

• The CONSOLIDER Program to reach criticalmass and research excellence. CONSOLIDERProjects offers long-term (5-6 years), largescale (1-2 million euros) financing forexcellent research groups and networks.Research groups may present themselves inall areas of know-how of the National R&Dand Innovation Program.

• CIBER Projects promote high quality researchin Biomedicine and Health Sciences in theNational Health Care System and the NationalR&D System, with the development and en-hancement of Network Research Structures.The CIBER-BBN is one of the new CIBERconsortia in Spain, to encourage qualityresearch and create a critical mass of

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researchers in the field of Biomedicine andHealthcare Sciences. The scientific areasrepresented within the CIBER-BBN are:Bioengineering and biomedical imaging,Biomaterials and tissue engineering andNanomedicine, and the Center’s research isfocused on the development of prevention,diagnostic and follow-up systems and ontechnologies related to specific therapies suchas Regenerative Medicine and Nanotherapies.(www.ciber-bbn.es).

In addition to these three main programs, newresearch centers supported by regionaladministrations, support actions to increasehuman resources creating new stable researchpositions and a strategic scientific andtechnological infrastructures program are alsoincluded in the Ingenio 2010 initiative and in theresearch and innovation plan from theautonomous regions.

5. Conclusions

Nanotechnology will have direct applications inmedicine by contributing to improvements inhealth and life quality, while decreasing theeconomic impact. The report concludes thatSpain can play a relevant role in the developmentof this field because it has cutting-edge researchcentres, industrial and pharmaceutical sectorsinterested in using these new technologies aswell as a health care system based on a networkof hospitals with a very good basic and clinicalresearch, interested in the development oftranslational research programs.

Taking into account that the participation in thedifferent instruments is in many casesincompatible, and the calls were open to all theSpanish science and technology system, theseresults confirm that the nanomedicine is aresearch priority in Spain and that exists apotentially strong sector to be developed in thenext years.

Glossary

1 PET: Positron Emission Tomography2 MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging3 SPECT: Single Photon Emission ComputedTomography4 US: Ultra Sound5 MPI: Magnetic Particle Imaging6 CT: Computed Tomography

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66

> EMILIO PRIETO

Place and date of birthMadrid (Spain), 1956

EducationMechanical Engineer by both ICAI-UPC (1981) and the

Polytechnic University of Madrid (1982). Ph.D. bythe Polytechnic University of Madrid, Departmentof Physics applied to Engineering (2007).

Professional Career• In 1982 joined the National Commission ofMetrology and Metrotecnics. Since 1994, Headof Length Area at the Spanish Centre ofMetrology.• Member of the Consultative Committees forLength (CCL) and Units (CCU), of theInternational Committee of Weights andMeasures (CIPM).• Length Contact Person in EURAMET, Member

of the International Society for OpticalEngineering (SPIE), the Scientific Committee of

NanoSpain, the Dimensional MetrologyCommittees from ENAC and AENOR CTN 82 and

Chairman of the AENOR GET 15 Committee onStandardization on Nanotechnologies.

eprieto@cem.mityc.es

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1. Introduction

Nanotechnologies enable scientists tomanipulate matter at the nanoscale (size rangefrom approximately 1 nm to 100 nm) 1. Withinthis size region, materials can exhibit new andunusual properties, such as altered chemicalreactivity, or changed electronic, optical ormagnetic behaviour. Such materials haveapplications across a breadth of sectors, rangingfrom healthcare to construction and electronics.

Quantitative determination of properties ofmicro and nanostructures is essential in R&D anda pre-requisite for quality assurance and controlof industrial processes. The determination ofcritical dimensions of nanostructures isimportant because the linking to many otherphysical and chemical properties depending on

such dimensions. To get quantitativemeasurements is essential to count with accurateand traced measuring instruments, together withvalidated measurement procedures widelyaccepted 2.

Geometric features decisive for nanotechnologyapplications include 3D objects like largemolecules (e.g. DNA), clusters of atoms (e. g.bucky balls), nanoparticles (like TiO2 particlesadded to products to improve reflectivity),nanowires (like carbon nanotubes (CNT), single-walled CNT (SWCNT), multi-walled CNT(MWCNT)), surfaces structures (super-hydrophobic surfaces, riblets) and thin filmscovering large surfaces (hardness, scratch-resistance, reflectivity, wetting properties …) 3.

So, nanometrology, the science of measurementapplied to the nanoscale plays a key role in theproduction of nanomaterials and nanometredevices. This has been recognized by manyGovernments, Research Institutions and thePrivate Sector across the World 4,5,6. There is noknowledge without accurate mesurements.

Most of the today’s efforts in Research are notsuccessful and they won’t be if there is no transferto industrial applications. In fact, nanotechnologyhas not yet emerged as massive production dueto both the difficulty of developing a solidnanometrology infrastructure and the lack ofFigure 1: 2D Standard

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awareness about it by researchers, productdevelopers and R&D funders.

But apart of potential benefits to consumers,nanotechnologies may also present new risksthat it is necessary to study, as a result of theirnovel properties. A report by the EuropeanUnion Scientific Committee on Emerging andNewly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR)published in 2009, listed a number of physicaland chemical properties which affect the riskassociated with nanomaterials 7, among themsize, shape, solubility and persistence, chemicaland catalytic reactivity, anti-microbial effects oraggregation and agglomeration. This isparticularly important in the Food Sector. TheEuropean Union has provided €40 million infunding for nanomaterials safety research in thelast three years, along with another €10 millionin 2009. Studies on nano-eco-toxicology,together with standardization issues, are thenimportant and urgent matters today atinternational level.

2. State of the Art

2.1 Nanometrology

Instruments and techniques used today at thenanoscale are many and varied: explorationprobes, ion beams, electronic beams, opticalmeans, X-Ray, electromagnetic means,mechanical techniques, etc. New instrumentsoffer every day better capabilities but suchequipments should be correctly calibrated inorder to maintain their metrological capabilities(traceability, accuracy) so guarantying thereliability of the results, something crucial inR&D and industrial production.

Creation of metrological infrastructure, includingthe development of new calibration standardsand measurement and characterization methodsis not an easy task but it is intended for years bymost of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs),

following specific R&D Programmes, as theEuropean Metrology Research Programme(EMRP) 8, a long-term programme for high qualityjoint R&D amongst the metrology community inEurope, with a Phase 1 which started in 2007,supported by the European Commission throughERA-NET Plus, and a Phase 2 starting in 2010,supported through Article 169 of the EuropeanTreaty.

Some of the EMRP Joint Research Projects (JRP)related to nanometrology are: TraceableCharacterization of Nanoparticles, NewTraceability Routes for Nanometrology orNanomagnetism and Spintronics. The SpanishCentre of Metrology (CEM) participates since2008 in some of these EMRP Projects.

A very important initiative on this field of manyNMIs since 2000 has been the development ofmetrological atomic force microscopes (MAFM).Today, there exist about 20 MAFM and 10 underconstruction all over the world.

In Spain, CEM is also funding and running its ownproject to build a MAFM for the calibration ofstandards used at the nanoscale, integratingnear field microscopy and high resolutioninterferometric techniques based on stabilized

Figure 2: Z-AXIS Step grating

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laser sources traced to the national standard oflength, for the benefit of Institutes, R&DCentres, Universities and Industry. A EURAMETWorkshop with participation of all teamscurrently working on - or that have worked on -metrological AFM, will be held soon.

Very important also is the series of Conferences“NanoScale” (www.nanoscale.de) where, since1995, the main developments on quantitativemeasurements at the nanoscale have takenplace. These seminars on QuantitativeMicroscopy and Nanoscale CalibrationStandards and Methods, taking place every twoyears, with open workshops of Europeanresearch projects related to the Coordination ofNanometrology, have developed an increasednumber of methods and calibration standards tobenefit all users aware of instrumentation, nomatter where they work (R&D, industry,Universities, etc.) helping them to maintain thetraceability and accuracy of their instruments,and the reliability of the results.

2.2 Risk Assessment

A forum where international coordination istaking place is the OECD. At the present time theOECD plays a central role in the coordination ofresearch efforts for the development of testmethodologies for risk assessment which willunderpin the regulation of nanotechnologies.

Spain is participating in some of the OECDCommittees and Working Groups related tonanotechnology:• Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and

Biotechnology,

• Working Party on ManufacturedNanomaterials.

• Working Party on Nanotechnology.

REACH—European Community legislationconcerned with chemicals and their safe use—plays also a role, albeit limited, in regulatingnanomaterials. The general opinion today is thatREACH can adequately regulate nanomaterials,but there is a need for future revisions of REACHto move the focus of regulation from thesize/shape of nanomaterials to also theirfunctionality 9.

2.3 Standardization

There is a key role for standardization as regardsmeasurement and testing of the characteristicsand behaviour of nanomaterials and theexposure assessment, complementing the workbeing carried out in the framework of the OECDand in the context of the implementation ofREACH. The European Commission thereforerequests CEN, CENELEC and ETSI to developstandardization deliverables applicable to a)Characterization and exposure assessment ofnanomaterials and b) Health, Safety &Environment.

Specifically:

1. Methodologies for nanomaterialscharacterization in the manufactured form andbefore toxicity and eco-toxicity testing.

2. Sampling and measurement of workplace,consumer and environment exposure tonanomaterials.

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Figure 3: Grid Calibration AFM (Nanotec)

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3. Methods to simulate exposures tonanomaterials.Spain is participating in the works of ISO/TC 229,CEN/TC 352 and IEC/TC 113 Committees throughthe AENOR GET 15 Committee.

Matter under study is divided into four mainfields: 1) Terminology and Nomenclature, 2)Measurement and Characterization, 3) Health,Safety and Environment and 4) MaterialSpecifications. Many technical Specifications andInternational Standards are under production(about 40) [see Annex].

AENOR GET 15 Committee is composed at themoment by individual voluntary representativesof the following Institutions:

• AENOR, Asociación Española deNormalización y Certificación (Host)

• CEM, Centro Español de Metrología(Chairmanship)

• ACCIONA Infraestructuras

• Alphasip

• Avanzare

• CIC nanoGUNE, Centro de Investigación enNanociencia

• CCMA, Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales(CSIC)

• CEPCO, Confederación Española deAsociaciones de Fabricantes de Productos deConstrucción

• FEIQUE, Federación Empresarial de laIndustria Química Española

• Fundación LEIA, Centro de DesarrolloTecnológico

• Fundación TEKNIKER

• GAIA, Asociación de Industrias de TecnologíasElectrónicas y de la Información del País Vasco

• Univ. Pública de Navarra, Grupo de

Propiedades físicas y aplicaciones demateriales

• INASMET Tecnalia, Centro Tecnológico

• Instituto de Bioingeniería, Univ. MiguelHernández

• Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene enel Trabajo (INSHT), Min. Trabajo e Inmigración

• LABEIN Tecnalia, Centro para la Aplicación delos Nanomateriales en la Construcción

• Meggitt

• Nanogap

• Nanotec Electrónica S.L.

• Nanozar

• Plasticseurope

• Profibra, Asociación de productores de hilos yfibras sintéticas, celulósicas y polímeros

• Univ. Alcalá de Henares, Dpto. QuímicaInorgánica

But it is important to involve many otherSpanish Institutes, Platforms and stakeholdersworking in different aspects of nanotechnologyto improve the coordination and contribute toproduce the best technical specifications for theulterior benefit of Spanish industries and citizens.

3. Most relevant international publications inthe field (2007-2009)

Some of the international publications with thehighest impact factor are the following ones.

Nanometrology

• An Assessment of the United StatesMeasurement System: AddressingMeasurement Barriers to AccelerateInnovation, NIST Special Publication 1048, Jan2007.

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• Journal of Research of the National Instituteof Standards and Technology, US, Will FutureMeasurement Needs of the SemiconductorIndustry be Met?, Jan 2007.

•Nanometrology of microsystems: traceabilityproblem in nanometrology, Iuliana Iordache,D. Apostol, O. Iancu, et al., SPIE Proceedings,Vol. 6635: Advanced Topics inOptoelectronics, Microelectronics, andNanotechnologies III, 663503, May 2007.

•Instrumentation, Metrology, and Standardsfor Nanomanufacturing, Michael T. Postek;John A. Allgair, Editors, SPIE Proceedings Vol.6648, September 2007.

•Length calibration standards for nano-manufacturing, David C. Joy; Sachin Deo;Brendan J. Griffin, SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6648,September 2007.

•Measurements of linear sizes of relief elementsin the nanometer range using a scanningelectron microscope, V. P. Gavrilenko; M. N.Filippov; Yu. A. Novikov; A. V. Rakov; P. A. Todua,SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6648, September 2007.

•Real-time sensing and metrology for atomiclayer deposition processes andmanufacturing, Laurent Henn-Lecordier, WeiLei, Mariano Anderle, and Gary W. Rubloff, J.Vac. Sci. Technol. B 25, 130 (2007).

•Nanometrology based on white-light spectralinterferometry in thickness measurement,Huifang Chen, Tao Liu, Zhijun Meng, SPIEProceedings, Vol. 6831: Nanophotonics,Nanostructure, and Nanometrology II,683108, January 2008.

•Roadmap of European standardization,metrology and pre-normative research workfor Nanotechnologies, NANOSTRAND FinalReport, April 2008.

•Feynman’s Challenge: Building Things FromAtoms – One by One, E.C. Teague,Proceedings of the euspen InternationalConference – Zurich - May 2008.

•Metrology at the nanoscale: what are thegrand challenges?, Kevin W. Lyons, Michael T.Postek, SPIE Proceedings, Vol. 7042:Instrumentation, Metrology, and Standardsfor Nanomanufacturing II, 704202, September2008.

•Digital Surf Newsletter: Focus on Spanish /French nanometrology programmes, SpecialIssue on Nanometrology, Nov 2008.

•White light interferometry applications innanometrology, V. S. Damian, M. Bojan, P.Schiopu, et al., SPIE Proceedings, Vol. 7297:Advanced Topics in Optoelectronics,Microelectronics, and Nanotechnologies IV,72971H, January 2009.

•Experimental study of nanometrological AFMbased on 3-D F-P interferometers, Yu Huang,Ruogu Zhu, SPIE Proceedings, Vol. 7133: FifthInternational Symposium on InstrumentationScience and Technology, 71334F, January2009.

•OECD review of current science, technologyand innovation policies for nanotechnology(Includes details on nanometrology, qualityand standards activities), Inventory ofNational Science, Technology and InnovationPolicies for Nanotechnology 2008, July 2009.

•UK Technology Strategy Board publication,Nanoscale Technologies: Strategy 2009-2012Nov 2009.

•Co-Nanomet publication, EuropeanNanometrology Foresight Review, Dec 2009.

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Nanotoxicity

•Toxicology of nanoparticles: A historicalperspective, Günter Oberdörster, Vicki Stone,Ken Donaldson, Nanotoxicology, 2007, Vol. 1,No. 1: Pages 2-25.

•Toxicologically Relevant Characterization ofCarbon Nanomaterials, Robert Hurt andAgnes Kane, Division of EngineeringDepartment of Pathology and LaboratoryMedicine, Brown University, Providence,Rhode Island, Tri-National Workshop onStandards for Nanotechnology, NationalResearch Council, Ottawa, February 2007.

•Ecotoxicology of Nanoparticles: Issues andApproaches, Geoffrey Sunahara, Ph.D.,Applied Ecotoxicology Group, BiotechnologyResearch Institute, Montreal, PQ, Canada, Tri-National Workshop on Standards forNanotechnology, National Research Council,Ottawa, February 2007.

•Biological activity of nanoparticles -mechanisms of recognition and toxicity, Prof.Valerian Kagen, Univ. of Pittsburgh,Nanotech/DIT, Dublin, November 2007.

•Physical and chemical indicators ofnanoparticle toxicity, Dr Gordon Chambers,Dublin Institute of Technology, Nanotech/DIT,Dublin, November 2007.

•Nanomaterials and nanoparticles: Sources andtoxicity, Cristina Buzea, Ivan I. Pacheco, andKevin Robbie, Biointerphases 2, MR17 (2007).

•Toxicology steps up to nanotechnology safety,Teeguarden JG, A Gupta, Escobar, P., Jackson,M. 2008. Research & Development magazine50(1):28-29. PNWD-SA-7902.

•Emmission assessment for identification ofsources and release of airborne manufactured

nanomatearials in the workplace: Compilationof existing guidance, Series on the safety ofmanufactured nanomaterials, Number 11,ENV / JM / MONO (2009) 16, June 2009.

•Report of an OECD Workshop on exposureassessment and exposure mitigation:Manufactured nanomaterials, Series on thesafety of manufactured nanomaterials,Number 13, ENV / JM / MONO(2009)18, July2009.

•Nano-silver-a review of available data andknowledge gaps in human and environmentalrisk assessment, Susan W.P. Wijnhoven, WillieJ.G.M. Peijnenburg, Carla A. Herberts, WernerI. Hagens, Agnes G. Oomen, Evelyn H.W.Heugens, Boris Roszek, Julia Bisschops, IlseGosens, Dik Van De Meent, Susan Dekkers,Wim H. De Jong, Maaike van Zijverden,Adriënne J.A.M. Sips, Robert E. Geertsma,Nanotoxicology, 2009, Vol. 3, No. 2 : Pages109-138.

•Nanotoxicology-A New Frontier, Lawrence J.Marnett, Chem. Res. Toxicol., 2009, 22 (9), p1491, DOI: 10.1021/tx900261y, PublicationDate (Web): August 20, 2009, Copyright ©2009 American Chemical Society.

•Analytical methods to assess nanoparticletoxicity, Bryce J. Marquis, Sara A. Love,Katherine L. Braun and Christy L. Haynes,Analyst, 2009, 134, 425–439.

Standardization

•ISO/TR 27628:2007 Workplace atmospheres -Ultrafine, nanoparticle and nano-structuredaerosols - Inhalation exposure characterizationand assessment, 2007.

•ISO/TS 27687:2008 Nanotechnologies -Terminology and definitions for nano-objects -Nanoparticle, nanofibre and nanoplate, 2008.

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•International Workshop on DocumentaryStandards for Measurement and Characterizationin Nanotechnologies, NIST, Gaithersburg,Maryland, USA, 26–28 February 2008.

•Voluntary Measures in Nano Risk Governance,4th International “Nano-Regulation“ Conference,16–17 September 2008, St.Gallen (Switzerland),Conference Report, Christoph Meili, PeterHürzeler, Stephan Knébel, Markus Widmer, TheInnovation Society, Ltd, St.Gallen, Switzerland,www.innovationsociety.ch, September 2008.

•German Federal Institure for Materials Researchand Testing (BAM), List of Currently AvailableNanoscaled Reference Materials, Jan 2009.

•Documentary Standards Activity for ScannedProbe Microscopy, Ronald Dixson, NIST, 3rd Tri-National Workshop on Standards forNanotechnology, February 2009.

•Versailles Project on Advanced Materials andStandards (VAMAS), Technical Working Areasincluding Nanomaterials (Provides surveys ofavailability, consistency, repeatability andreproducibility of a range of material testmethods), June 2009.

•International Organisation for Standardization -Technical Committee 24, Subcommittee 4(TC24/SC4: Particle Characterisation) Standardson Particle Characterisation, June 2009.

4. Actions to develop in Spain within the period 2010-2013

A general problem, not only in Spain, is thatmany people involved in nanotechnology arenot aware about metrology and they do notfeel the need of maintaining the traceabilityof their measuring instruments to supportthe reliability of their results which, inproduction, causes a lack of reproducibilityand inhomogeneous products. For instance,

the concept of “uncertainty of measurement” isnot well known yet.

Other problem is that current measurementmethods and standards are focused on relativelysimple, idealised measurement situations. Butthere is room as well as a need to improve thebasic metrological understanding of methodsand standards.

At the same time, research and standardizationneed to focus on more application orientedinvestigations of complex systems, and this willnecessitate face a number of interdisciplinaryissues.

The Spanish High Council on Metrology (RD584/2006, 12th May) advises and coordinates thefull metrology in Spain in their scientific, technical,historical and legal aspects. At this High Council allSpanish Ministries are represented and, specifically,those responsible of Industry, Trade, Environment,Food, Health, Science and Innovation; i.e., all thoseinvolved in nanotechnology and managing theNational R&D Programmes.

So, there is a nice opportunity to connectmetrology to nanotechnology.

Possible suggested actions are:

• For the coming years the State’s effort toenhance and coordinate all national activitiesrelated to nanotechnology (nanometrology,basic and applied R&D, risk assessment,standardization, etc.) must continue, but alsoinvolving the High Council on Metrology andAENOR.

• The different MICINN Strategic Actions can notbe independent, because matters have manyfaces (research, metrology, standardization). So,National Strategic Actions (for instance, Healthand Nanotechnology) should be connected. Thecreation, as in other industrialized countries,of an Observatory for analysing periodicallysuch connexion lines together with other

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aspects and needs of nanotechnology wouldbe welcome.

• Incorporate the metrological component inall R&D projects. This is, for instance,mandatory for any new proposal oncharacterization methods submitted to ISO TC229, being necessary to fill out a metrologycheck list in order to judge the proposal withrespect to the reliability of the results forguarantying the ulterior fulfilment ofspecifications.

• Standardization is also a reliable and efficienttool to accelerate the dissemination of R&Dresults to the market. Consequently, it isnecessary to promote the incorporation of astandardization component in R&D projects,and to establish the required communicationchannels between R&D projects and AENOR’sAEN/GET 15 Committee “Nanotechnologies”to foster the development of standards andguidelines that contribute to provide thenecessary tools to producers and confidenceto users and consumers.

• Increase the support and funding ofmetrological infrastructures able to produceprimary standards, measurement services andtechnical expertise, as required by edgetechnology and measurements at thenanoscale 10 after agreement of the involvedMinistries.

• Maintaining the launching of singular andstrategic coordinated projects, withparticipation of Public and Private Sectors, butcovering wider multidisciplinary aspects ofnanotechnology and, as much as possible,metrology and standardization.

• Support of MITYC (funding and recruitment oftechnicians and post-Docs) for increasing theparticipation of CEM and their AssociatedLaboratories into the EMRP Programme, bythe way of Article 169 of the European Treaty.

• Organization of national and regionalcoordinated activities of Knowledge Transferto disseminate the metrological principia andcriteria to Academia, Research Communityand Industry. The existence of different type

of Institutions (State Agencies, OPIs,Technological Centres, CEM, etc.) should notprevent their coordination searching forreaching national objectives.

• Industry should make an effort to understandand integrate metrology in the productiveprocesses, in order to get traceability, moreaccurate and reliable results andhomogeneous devices and products.

• Industry must participate in thestandardization process. It is the only way ofmaintaining updated on the coming standardsaffecting their productive sectors and alsothem to contribute to the standards andtechnical specifications under development,modifying these to align to their productiveprocesses.

• AENOR should make a call to the concernedMinistries and stakeholders (producers, users,technology developers, researchers, socialagents, consumer organizations, etc.) askingfor increasing the participation of membersand experts in the GET 15 Committee“Standardization on nanotechnologies” andthrough this, into CEN and ISO Committees. Itis crucial to build and defend a solid nationalposition in the process of developing writtenstandards and technical specifications, beforethese being mandatory in Spain.

5. Infrastructure needed to meet objectiveswithin the period 2010-2013

• Existing infrastructure based on TechnologicalPlatforms, Networks, Universities, SMEs, etc.,is valid and should be maintained butincreasing the dissemination of knowledgeand the coordination of actions, mainly whenthe actors belong to different Ministries andInstitutions, as it is the case.

6. Initiatives

The Spanish Centre of Metrology (CEM)(www.cem.es). Embedded in the structure of

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MITYC, among their missions are: keeping,maintaining and disseminate the nationalstandards of the SI Units, to provide traceability tothe society (calibration and test laboratories,industry, etc.), executing R&D projects onmetrology, training specialists in metrology andrepresenting Spain in front of internationalmetrology organizations.

AENOR/GET 15: Spanish Standardization Groupon NanotechnologiesStructurally divided into 4 Working Groups:Terminology and Nomenclature, Measurementand Characterization, Health, Safety andEnvironment, Materials Characterization, it isthe mirror Group of ISO/TC 229 and CEN/TC 352“Standardization on nanotechnologies” andIEC/TC 113 “Nanotechnology Standardization inelectric and electronic equipment”.

Doctorate and Masters on metrology:

Master on Metrology by the Spanish Centre ofMetrology (CEM) and the Polytechnic Universityof Madrid (UPM), 2 years, 60 ECTS credits.Thematic Units: Foundations of Metrology,Physics, Statistics, Models for measurements andcalibrations, Organization and Management ofMetrology, Legal Metrology, Length Metrology,Temperature, Mass and derived quantities,Electrical Metrology, Chemical Metrology, Othermetrologies.

Integral Doctorates are less frequent althoughthere are some. These are of general type, notspecifically oriented to nanotechnology. Someof them are:

• Metrology and Industrial Quality, UNED -National University of Distance Education.

• Design and Fabrication Engineering, UNIZAR –Zaragoza University.

• Doctorate on Metrology, ETSII – PolytechnicUniv., Madrid, Dept. of Applied Physics.

There are also Courses on calibration andestimation of uncertainties, together withprogrammed subjects in technical careers,mainly in Engineering and Physics.

In Europe there is a great variety of initiativesand platforms, with origin in the EuropeanCommission (EMRP and others), in NationalMetrology Institute Networks (EURAMET) and inPrivate Companies, Research Centres andTechnical Universities.

The main initiative related to nanometrology isCo-Nanomet, a programme of activities fundedunder the 7th Framework Programme of theEuropean Commission, addressing the needwithin Europe to develop the requiredmeasurement frame to successfully support thedevelopment and economic exploitation ofnanotechnology.

Co-Nanomet's activities focus on thenanometrology needs of European Industry andare addressed through 4 key actions: Strategydefinition, Action Groups (EngineeredNanoparticles, Nanobiotechnology, Thin Filmsand Structured Surfaces, Critical Dimensions andScanning Probe Techniques, Modelling andSimulation), Coordination of Education & Skill andExploitation & Development of Infrastructures.

With respect to standardization and activitiesrelated to Environment, Health and Safety (EHS),the main Organizations involved are:

• CEN, European Committee for Standardization(www.cen.eu), with the following Committeesinvolved in nanotechnology: CEN/TC 137Assessment of workplace exposure tochemical and biological agents, CEN/TC 352Nanotechnologies, IEC/TC 113Nanotechnologies standardization forelectrical and electronic products and systems.

• OECD, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (www.oecd.org).

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• JRC, Joint Research Centre, EuropeanCommission (www.jrc.ec.europa.eu).

• VAMAS, Versailles Project on AdvancedMaterials and Standards (www.vamas.org).

• ECOS, European Environmental CitizensOrganisation for Standardisation (www.ecostandard.org).

7. Conclusions

A lot of effort has been made in the last years inSpain to reduce the delay with respect to otherEuropean countries. The level of knowledge,development and involvement in R&D projectshas grown and also the results and the rate ofreturn of investments.

But still remains a lack of information andcoordination between all interested partiesworking in nanotechnology. Also, some mattersas metrology and standardization are notsufficiently considered in the projects andindustrial applications. So, a biggerdissemination of the knowledge among allinterested parties is needed together with acoordination of efforts.

It is crucial the creation of a SpanishObservatory on Nanotechnology to supportSpanish decision-makers with information andanalysis on developments in nanoscience andnanotechnology, coordinate all existinginformation, facilitate the strategic decisions ofthe Administration and to involve companiesand society in the projects on which it isnecessary to focus the attention in the comingyears.

In such Observatory, all interested parties(Technological Platforms, Networks, the HighCouncil on Metrology, AENOR GET 15Committee, etc.) must be represented.Discussions should also include metrological,

toxicological and standardization aspects of thenanotechnology, and not only those specificallyscientific or technological.Collaboration CEM - Academia - Industry shouldbe enhanced as a way to detect measurementand characterization problems and needs as aprevious step to invest on designing andmanufacturing of “metrological” measurementinstruments and standards, traceable andaccurate, as an answer to such needs.

Creation and funding of some infrastructure forCEM, their Associated Laboratories and AENORto disseminate the knowledge on lastdevelopments in metrology andstandardization at the nanoscale, for the benefitof all Spanish stakeholders.

Establishing and funding of EducationalProgrammes to improve capabilities ofUniversities and companies by creatingmultidisciplinary communities involved inresearch on nanotechnology and metrologyapplied to the nanoscale.

The next conclusions have been adapted from arecent Report on Nanotechnologies and Food 11,but we see applicable to the Spanish situationtoo: Government should take steps to ensurethe establishment of research collaborationsbetween industry, academia and other relevantbodies at the pre-competitive stage in order topromote the translation of basic research intocommercially viable applications ofnanotechnologies.

Government should work more closely with otherEU Member States on research related to the healthand safety risks of nanomaterials to ensure thatknowledge gaps are quickly filled without duplicationof effort, while continuing to support coordinatedresearch in this area at an international level throughappropriate international organisations including theInternational Organization for Standardization andOrganisation for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment.

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Government should establish an open discussiongroup to discuss on the application ofnanotechnologies in the different sectors,including food. This group should containrepresentatives from Government, academiaand industry, as well as representative groupsfrom the public such as consumer groups andnon-governmental organisations.

References

1 Definition 2.1, ISO TS 27687:2008,Nanotechnologies – Terminology anddefinitions for nano-objects – Nanoparticle,nanofibre and nanoplate, 1st ed., 15-08-2008.

2 Nanoscale Metrology, Editorial, Meas. Sci.Technol. 18 (2007).

3 Scanning Probe Microscopy, Scanning ElectronMicroscopy and Critical Dimension:Nanometrology: Status and Future Needswithin Europe, European NanometrologyDiscussion Papers, Co-Nanomet, November2009.

4 The National Nanotechnology Initiative:Research and Development Leading to aRevolution in Technology and Industry (2006)Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science,Engineering and Technology, Committee onTechnology, National Science and TechnologyCouncil (www.nano.gov/NNI_07Budget.pdf).

5 Eighth Nanoforum Report on Nanometrology,Julio 2006 (www.nanoforum.org).

6 Towards a European Strategy forNanotechnology (2004) European Commission,Brussels (ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/nanotechnology/docs/nano_com_en.pdf).

7 SCENIHR (Scientific Committee on Emergingand Newly Identified Health Risks), Risk

assessment of products of nanotechnologies,19 January 2009, pp 15-16.

8 The European Metrology Research Programme(EMRP) is a metrology-focused Europeanprogramme of coordinated R&D facilitating acloser integration of national researchprogrammes and ensuring the collaborationbetween National Measurement Institutes,reducing duplication and increasing impact.

9 Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution(RCEP), UK, Novel Materials in theEnvironment: The case of nanotechnology, p64, Nov. 2008.

10 Australian Government, National MeasurementInstitute, Technical Report 12, Nanometrology: TheCritical Role of Measurement in SupportingAustralian Nanotechnology, Dr John Miles, Firstedition, November 2006.

11 House of Lords, Session 8th January 10,Science and Technology Committee, FirstReport on Nanotechnologies and Food.

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7878

ISO/WD TS 10797, Nanotubes - Use oftransmission electron microscopy (TEM) in walledcarbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

ISO/CD TS 10798, Nanotubes - Scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-rayanalysis (EDXA) in the characterization of singlewalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

ISO/DIS 10801, Nanotechnologies - Generation ofmetal nanoparticles for inhalation toxicity testingusing the evaporation/condensation method.

ISO/DIS 10808, Nanotechnologies -Characterization of nanoparticles in inhalationexposure chambers for inhalation toxicity testing.

ISO/AWI TS 10812, Nanotechnologies - Use ofRaman spectroscopy in the characterization ofsingle-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

ISO/CD TS 10867, Nanotubes - Use of NIR-Photoluminescence (NIR-PL) Spectroscopy in thecharacterization of single-walled carbonnanotubes (SWCNTs).

ISO/CD TS 10868, Nanotubes - Use of UV-Vis-NIRabsorption spectroscopy in the characterization ofsingle-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

ISO/CD TR 10929, Measurement methods for thecharacterization of multi-walled carbonnanotubes (MWCNTs).

ISO/CD TS 11251, Nanotechnologies - Use ofevolved gas analysis-gas chromatograph massspectrometry (EGA-GCMS) in the characterizationof single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

ISO/CD TS 11308, Nanotechnologies - Use ofthermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) in the purityevaluation of single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWCNT).

ISO/CD TR 11360, Outline of a Method forNanomaterial Classification.

ISO/AWI TR 11808, Nanotechnologies - Guidanceon nanoparticle measurement methods and theirlimitations.

ISO/NP TR 11811, Nanotechnologies - Guidanceon methods for nanotribology measurements.

ISO/CD TS 11888, Determination of mesoscopicshape factors of multiwalled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs).

ISO/AWI TS 11931-1, Nanotechnologies - Nano-calcium carbonate - Part 1: Characteristics andmeasurement methods.

ISO/NP TS 11931-2, Nanotechnologies - Nano-calcium carbonate - Part 2: Specifications inselected application areas.

ISO/AWI TS 11937-1, Nanotechnologies - Nano-titanium dioxide - Part 1: Characteristics andmeasurement methods.

ISO/NP TS 11937-2, Nanotechnologies - Nano-titanium dioxide - Part 2: Specifications in selectedapplication areas.

ISO/CD 12025, Nanomaterials - Generalframework for determining nanoparticle contentin nanomaterials by generation of aerosols.

ADDENDUMLIST OF STANDARDS AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

UNDER DEVELOPMENT WITHIN ISO/TC 229

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ISO/CD TR 12802, Nanotechnologies -Terminology - Initial framework model for coreconcepts.

ISO/AWI TS 12805, Nanomaterials - Guidance onspecifying nanomaterials.

ISO/AWI TS 12901-1, Nanotechnologies -Guidance on safe handling and disposal ofmanufactured nanomaterials.

ISO/NP TS 12901-2, Guidelines for occupationalrisk management applied to engineerednanomaterials based on a "control bandingapproach".

ISO/AWI TR 13014, Nanotechnologies - Guidanceon physico-chemical characterization ofengineered nanoscale materials for toxicologicassessment.

ISO/AWI TR 13121, Nanotechnologies -Nanomaterial Risk Evaluation Framework.

ISO/NP TS 13126, Artificial gratings used innanotechnology - Description and measurementof dimensional quality parameters.

ISO/NP TS 13278, Carbon nanotubes -Determination of metal impurities in carbonnanotubes (CNTs) using inductively coupledplasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS).

ISO/NP TR 13329, Nanomaterials - Preparation ofMaterial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

ISO/DIS 29701, Nanotechnologies - Endotoxintest on nanomaterial samples for in vitro systems- Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test.

ISO/AWI TS 80004-1, Nanotechnologies -Vocabulary - Part 1: Core terms.

ISO/CD TS 80004-3, Nanotechnologies -Vocabulary - Part 3: Carbon nano-objects.

ISO/AWI TS 80004-4, Nanotechnologies -Vocabulary - Part 4: Nanostructured materials.

ISO/AWI TS 80004-5, Nanotechnologies -Vocabulary - Part 5: Bio/nano interface.

ISO/AWI 80004-6, Nanotechnologies - Vocabulary- Part 6: Nanoscale measurement andinstrumentation.

ISO/AWI TS 80004-7, Nanotechnologies -Vocabulary - Part 7: Medical, health and personalcare applications.

ISO/NP TS 80004-8, Nanotechnologies -Vocabulary - Part 8: Nanomanufacturingprocesses.

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> NIEK VAN HULST

Place and date of birthNijmegen (The Netherlands), 1957

EducationStudy: Astronomy and Physics, at University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands.PhD: in molecular physics, at University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Experience• Senior group leader “Molecular NanoPhotonics”,ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Castelldefels - Barcelona, Spain.

• ICREA research professor, ICREA - Catalan Institute for Research and Advancededucation, Barcelona, Spain.

• Full Professor Nano-Optics, MESA+ group leader, Dept. Science &Technology, MESA+ Institute for Nano-Technology, the Netherlands

• Assistant Professor, Applied Optics group, University of Twente,the Netherlands

• Lecturer/Researcher, Applied Optics group, University ofTwente, the Netherlands

•Postdoctoral Researcher, Opto-Electronics, (Technical)University of Twente, the Netherlands

Niek van Hulst has a background in molecularphysics, non-linear optics, scanning probemicroscopy and nanophotonics. He developsadvanced optical nano-antennas, forapplications both in chemistry and biology andin advanced integrated optical devices. Hisgroup developed the technique of opticalphase mapping and pulse tracking which leadto the first direct observation of slow light inphotonic crystals. Also the groupdemonstrated the first λ/4 monopole opticalantenna probe with <20 nm field localization.

Current activities are on the control of singlequantum systems by phase shape pulses and

dedicated optical antennas. Niek van Hulst iscoordinator of the Spanish Consolider program

“NanoLight.es”.

niek.vanhulst@icfo.es

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1. Introduction

Photonics - the scientific study and application oflight - has evolved to become a key technologybehind many devices found in the modern home,factory and research lab. Today, photonics is amultibillion-dollar industry, underpinningapplications such as telecommunications, datastorage, flat-panel displays and materialsprocessing. Nanometer scale opticalarchitectures play an essential role in futuredense optical circuits, optical data storage andmaterials chemistry. To this end bothnanostructured (top-down) and colloidal(bottom-up) architectures are pursued in parallel.

Indeed the optical response of nanostructuresexhibits fascinating new entries: sub-wavelength spatial variation of the field,enabling nanoscale imaging; strong local fieldenhancement with respect to the incident wave,allowing nanoscale lasing, trapping and heating;local fields with polarization, magnetic andspatial components that are not present in theincident light; extraordinary transmission,negative index and negative refraction, sparkingoff the new field of optical “meta”materials.

All these phenomena are important forapplications in the area of nanophotonic circuits[4, 5], biology, medicine and environmentalenergy issues. For example, the sub-wavelengthvariation is exploited for nanoscale optical circuitsand for nanoantennas that enable high spatialresolution in imaging and sensing. Moreover, the

combination with ultrafast laser spectroscopyopens many possibilities for light control andnonlinear ultrafast optics, all on the nanoscale.

Throughout the past decade NanoPhotonicsresearch in Spain has build-up a stronginternational reputation. Particularly research onphotonic crystals was initiated early, while theunderstanding of the physics behindextraordinary transmission in metallicnanostructures has been largely driven bySpanish theory. More recently research inplasmonics and metamaterials is growing rapidlyand being recognized internationally. Whilebased on a traditionally and continuously strongposition in theory, it is interesting to see howseveral new experimental institutes and researchgroups with high scientific profile and amplenano-facilities for NanoPhotonics are gettingshape (Barcelona, San Sebastian and Valencia).

The new initiatives often find their origin in thecomunidades (Antonomous Regions), whilebeing strengthened by national mechanisms,such as the Plan Nacional and especially theCONSOLIDER program. Future perspective forSpanish NanoPhotonics is definitely positive onthe short term, however the horizon beyond 2or 3 years remains unclear, also due to recentcuts in research budget.

2. State of the art

NanoPhotonics is currently a very active andcompetitive research field with rapid

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developments. The current state-of-the-art ofnanofabrication allows to fabricate newgenerations of optical nanostructures,(meta)materials and optical antennas, with newproperties by proper engineering of the electro-magnetic fields on the nanometre scale. At thesame time a broad range of applications isopened up ranging from quantum-informationto light harvesting and energy conversion to bio-sensing and optical imaging with nanometricresolution. Here developments in a selection ofNanoPhotonics topic are sketched:

2.1 Metamaterials

Novel electro-magnetic properties, such as anegative refractive index, can be achieved byclever engineering of artificial composite (meta)-materials, building on sub-wavelengthstructures. The new properties are notattainable with naturally occurring “bulk”materials. Functional negative-indexmetamaterials were first demonstrated formicrowave frequencies, immediately openingthe search for analogous materials at opticalfrequencies. Indeed first principle of opticalnegative refraction and super-lensing weredemonstrated using thin metal films, howeverchallenging fabrication of nanometrically flatfilms and the enormous energy dissipation inmetals are an obstacle for practical application.

Novel strategies combining nanocontrolledmetallic and dielectric structures are required tooptimize between negative permittivity and theconcomitant losses. Interest has turned to three-dimensional optical metamaterials, based onlayered semiconductor metamaterials ormagnetic metamaterials in the infraredfrequencies, indeed showing negative refraction.Recently relatively low-loss metamaterial havebeen presented, based on the so-called ofcascaded ‘fishnet’ structures, possessing anegative index over a broad spectral range, andaccessibility from free space. Clearly the noveldesign of negative index metamaterials ischallenging both from the theoretical andnanofabrication point-of-view. If successful a

completely new arena of controlling light at thenanoscale comes at hand. To date the researchfield is very active, as negative and zero-indexmeta-materials offer unique prospects forsuperlensing, optical tunnelling devices, compactresonators and highly directional sources, etc.

2.2 Plasmonic nanolasers

Truly nanometre-scale lasers has long been oneof the main goals of nanophotonics research.Despite early theory on the concept of surfaceplasmon lasers, so-called Spasers, ohmic lossesat optical frequencies have long inhibited therealization of plasmonic nanolasers. Hybridplasmonic-photonic waveguides allow to reducesignificantly the losses while maintainingultrasmall modes. Indeed recently the firstexperimental demonstration of nanometre-scaleplasmonic lasers was reported using a nanowireseparated from a metallic surface by a nm-scaleinsulating gap, generating optical modes ahundred times smaller than the diffraction limit.The plasmonic modes have no cut-off, thereforethe dimensions can be even further down-scaled.

Plasmonic lasers thus offer the possibility ofexploring extreme interactions between lightand matter, opening up new avenues in thefields of active photonic circuits, bio-sensing andquantum information technology.

2.3 Optical Antennas

Antennas play a key role in our modern wirelesssociety, as they mediate between freeelectromagnetic waves and electronic circuitry,thus enabling mobile phone, internet, etc. Onlyin recent years the crucial role of “nano-opticalantennas” as a transducer between the highfrequency (~500 THz) optical near and far fieldwas realized. In fact the extensive library ofantenna shapes and sizes, optimized to increasethe amount of radiated power for a givenfrequency band and specific emission direction,can be scaled down to the optical regime fornanoscale optics. However there is no “simpledownscaling”, as the physics of nanoantennas is

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much richer. First, one has to take into accountthe plasmonic properties of metals at opticalfrequency. Second, nanoscale optical sources areatoms, organic molecules or semiconductorquantum dots (Q-dots), i.e. quantum systems;therefore one enters the quantum regime ofsingle photon emitters. Finally optical nano-antennas are truly small, with dimensionsbetween 30 and 500 nm, posing challenges bothto fabrication and novel methods to drive andtune such antennas.

Nano-optical antennas offer unique newopportunities. They do allow confining andcontrolling optical fields truly on the nanometerscale. Even more, in close proximity to photonemitters, such as molecules, Q-dots or colorcenters, nano-antennas are particularly promising.First, they boost the radiative rate far over intrinsicnon-radiative decay, thus with the potential togenerate super-emitters with ps photo-cyclingtimes. Indeed 100-fold lifetime reduction to 10 psregime was reported recently. Second, nano-antennas funnel the incident far field efficiently todedicated antenna mode maxima thus nano-focusing the incident light on e.g. a Q-dot. Last, notleast, antennas redirect all photon emission in adedicated direction with narrow angle. Indeedcomplete redirection of radiation patterns over 90degrees was reported recently.

2.4 Phase control of nanoscale optical fields

By exploiting the interplay between thenanostructure and the spatio-temporal lightfield a high degree of control is attainable. Sizeand shape of the nanostructure play a vital role.For example theoretical modelling has shownthat the field distribution of a taperednanostructure depends directly on the linearchirp of a femtosecond excitation pulse. Thusthe light is slowed down and ultimately stoppedor trapped. Recently first results were reportedthat shaping allows specific control over thespatio-temporal nanoscopic field. Thus, pulsesequences can be generated in which localexcitations occur at specific time and positionwith sub-diffraction resolution.

This opens the route towards space-time-resolvedspectroscopy with direct observation ofnanoscopic energy transport. The challenge lies inthe optimization of a number of near-fieldobservables, exploiting properly shaped laserpulses, to achieve ultimate spatial control overlinear and nonlinear electromagnetic flux, the localspectrum, and the local temporal intensity profile.

2.5 Imaging and sensing

In recent years “nanoscopy” optical microscopywith 10-30 nm detail, has become a reality. Byproper engineering of the microscopical pointspread function, in combination with non-linearresponse, the effective resolution is now anorder of magnitude below the diffraction limit.Particularly STimulated Emission Depletion(STED) microscopy has moved into activeapplications, mainly in biology.

In parallel the controlled photo activation ofsingle molecules has allowed the concept ofPhoto-Activation Localisation Microscopy(PALM), with effective resolution reaching the 20nm, a method finding applications extremelyrapidly. At the same time strong attention is onresonant metallic particles that enhance thelocal field enhancement and on nano-antennaconfigurations which afford improved couplingefficiency. Several types of antenna geometriesare being pioneered for nanoscaling imaging inbiology and technical application, again withresolution in the 20 nm range. In parallel, newphysics routes are explored throughsuperlensing by negative index (meta)materials,where the evanescent decay is locally invertedto gain; unfortunately, material losses arecompeting heavily with the superlensingefficiency.

2.6 Nanophotonic manipulation

Small particles can be trapped by optical fields,the so-called “optical tweezers”. The near fieldphotonic forces generated at nanostructures orarrays of nanoholes provide a novel route ofcontrol, to trap nanoparticles in nanochannels,

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in direct competition with Brownian motion, todevelop extremely sensitive sensors for detectingthe binding of (bio)molecules to the particles.Control and understanding of the conditions forthe efficient trapping of the nanoparticles in thenear field of such nanoholes, requires detailedinsight in the light interactions between thenanoparticles and the hole walls.

Once mastered, the detection of the binding ofa single molecule to a trapped particle could berealized, through enhanced surface Ramanscattering by particle plasmon resonances.Moreover for extraordinary optical transmission,the extreme field concentrations close to thehole will have dramatic effects on the strengthof these forces that broaden the range ofapplications. Indeed successful nanoscale opticaltrapping on both resonant nanoparticles andnanoholes has been reported, while applicationsare being explored.

Metallic nanoparticles are generally lossy. Thus,besides forces, the resonantly drivennanostructures will heat up. Here the losses canbe used into advantage for dedicated nanoscaleheating. When used in combination with properbiochemical recognition methods one canenvision localized heating and even destructionof selected biomaterial. Indeed plasmonicheating therapies are currently passing throughthe clinical test phase.

2.7 Nanophotonics for energy

In traditional solar cells photovoltaics is to uselight for generating charge carriers in asemiconductor, where the spatial separation ofthe charge carriers defines a current in anexternal circuit. For maximum efficiency it isimportant to absorb most of the incomingradiation. Plasmonic nanoparticles have largeoptical cross-sections and can efficiently collectand scatter photons into the far field. Thus firstan increased effective optical path length andgreater photon absorption probability areachieved. Secondly, the spatially localized nearfield photons created in the immediate vicinity

of plasmonic particle can directly excite electron-hole pairs in an indirect gap semiconductor evenwithout phonon assistance, increasing lightabsorption per unit thickness.

Finally charge-carrier can be injected directlyfrom the nanoparticle into the semiconductor.Nanoparticle assisted solar cells are currently avery active research subject.

3. International publications

•R. F. Oulton , V. J. Sorger, T. Zentgraf, R. M.Ma,C. Gladden, L. Dai, G. Bartal , X. Zhang.Plasmon lasers at deep subwavelength scale.Nature Vol. 461, Issue: 7264, 629-632,Published: Oct 1 2009.

•J. Valentine, S. Zhang, T. Zentgraf, E. Ulin-Avila,D. A. Genov, G. Bartal and X. Zhang.Three Dimensional Optical MetamaterialExhibiting Negative Refractive Index.Nature, Vol. 455, 376, 2008.

•M. A. Noginov, G. Zhu , A. M. Belgrave , R.Bakker, V. M. Shalaev, E. E. Narimanov, S.Stout, E. Herz, T. Suteewong, U. Wiesner. Demonstration of a spaser-based nanolaser.NATURE Vol. 460, Issue: 7259, 1110-U68,Published: Aug 27, 2009.

•S. Lal, S. E. Clare, N. J. Halas.Nanoshell-Enabled Photothermal CancerTherapy: Impending Clinical Impact.Accounts of Chemical Reserarch, Vol. 41,Issue: 12, 1842-1851, Published: Dec 2008.

•S. Noda, M. Fujita, T. Asano.Spontaneous-emission control by photoniccrystals and nanocavities.Nature Photonics, Vol. 1, Issue: 8, 449-458,Published: Aug 2007, Times Cited: 90.

•H. J. Lezec, J. A. Dionne, H. A. Atwater.Negative refraction at visible frequencies.Science, Vol. 316, Issue: 5823, 430-432,Published: Apr 20, 2007.

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•M. Burresi, D. Van Oosten, T. Kampfrath, H.Schoenmaker, R. Heideman, A. Leinse, L.Kuipers.Probing the Magnetic Field of Light at OpticalFrequencies.Science, Vol. 326, Issue: 5952, 550-553,Published: Oct 23, 2009.

•T. H. Taminiau, F. D. Stefani, F. B. Segerink, N. F.Van Hulst.Optical antennas direct single-moleculeemission.Nature Photonics, Vol. 2, Issue: 4, 234-237,Published: Apr, 2008.

•T. Baba.Slow light in photonic crystals.Nature Photonics, Vol. 2, Issue: 8, 465-473,Published: Aug, 2008.

•L. Novotny.Effective wavelength scaling for opticalantennas.Physical Review Letters, Vol.98, Issue: 26, ArticleNumber: 266802, Published: Jun 29, 2007.

•N. I. Zheludev, S. L. Prosvirnin, N. Papasimakis,V. A. Fedotov.Lasing spaser.Nature Photonics, Vol. 2, Issue: 6, 351-354,Published: Jun, 2008.

•A. Alu, N. Engheta. Tuning the scattering response of opticalnanoantennas with nanocircuit loads.Nature Photonics, Vol. 2, Issue: 5, 307-310,Published: May, 2008.

•T. V. Teperik, F. J. García De Abajo, A. G. Borisov,M. Abdelsalam, P. N. Bartlett, Y. Sugawara & J.J. Baumberg. Omnidirectional absorption in nanostructuredmetal surfaces.Nature Photonics 2, 299 - 301 (2008).

•M. Righini, P. Ghenuche, S. Cherukulappurath,V. Myroshnychenko, F. J. García de Abajo, R.Quidant.

Nano-optical trapping of Rayleigh particles andEscherichia coli bacteria with resonant opticalantennas.Nano Letters 9, 3387-3391 (2009).

•E.Rittweger, K. Y. Han, S. E. Irvine, C. Eggeling,S. W. Hell.STED microscopy reveals crystal colourcentres with nanometric resolution.Nature Photonics, Vol. 3, Issue: 3, 144-147Published: Mar, 2009.

•A. Kinkhabwala, Z. F. Yu, S. H. Fan, Y.Avlasevich, K. Mullen, W. E. Moerner.Large single-molecule fluorescenceenhancements produced by a bowtienanoantenna.Nature Photonics, Vol. 3, Issue: 11, 654-657Published: Nov, 2009.

•M. Schnell, A. García-Etxarri, A. J. Huber, K.Crozier, J. Aizpurua, R. Hillenbrand. Controlling the near-field oscillations ofloaded plasmonic nanoantennas.Nature Photonics, Vol. 3, Issue: 5, 287-291,Published: May 2009.

•Stockman M. I.Criterion for negative refraction with lowoptical losses from a fundamental principle ofcausality.Physical Review Letters, Vol. 98, Issue: 17,Article number: 177404, Published: Apr 27,2007.

4. Actions to be developed in Spain

Focus and mass: NanoScience and Technology israther scattered in Spain. Many “nano”-centersdo exist or are in planning, where typically everyAutonomous Region will have its ownnanocenter, while Madrid, Catalunya, Basquecountry have multiple nanocentres. It is essentialto refocus this trend from quantity towardsquality.

A differentiation is needed to fight thefragmentation and to justify the large number of

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centres: each centre should focus on a well-chosen specialism, thus proving its uniquenessand quality. Only this way focus, critical massand collaboration can be guaranteed. For thespecific case of NanoPhotonics, concentratedresearch activities at 2 or 3 centres would besufficient to keep focus and critical weight.

Platform: NanoPhotonics is an active researchfield in Spain, carried by a large variety ofinstitutions, foundations, and researchprograms. Researchers meet regularly on varioustypes of conferences, schools and progressmeetings. The exchange of information and levelof collaboration is quite satisfactory but hasroom for further improvement. It will be usefulto study the added value and necessity of anational platform for NanoPhotonics

Funding: Nanophotonics research is financedthrough Plan Nacional, through CONSOLIDERprograms and complemented by Europeanprojects. Long term structural financing is lackingand the horizon beyond 2011 remains unclear.Therefore it is paramount to launch ananoscience research funding platform, with aclear focus on the various most promising andtactical nano-research directions. HereinNanoPhotonics should be one of the focus areas.

Knowledge and Technology Transfer: Finally ofcourse it is essential to stimulate activelyconnections between nanotechnology researchand the various types of industrial activities, topromote spin-off companies, joint ventures andincrease awareness of intellectual property.

5. Necessary infrastructure to achieve objectives

NanoPhotonics research relies on two types ofinfrastructure: nanofabrication and advancedoptical methods. For the nanofabrication areessential: UV-lithography, e-beam lithography,ion-beam milling, thin film depositions,dedicated etching, electron microscopy, atomicforce microscopy, near field microscopy, surfacechemistry and colloidal chemistry. Thus inpractice a well-equipped clean room is

necessary for a nanophotonics laboratory. Inparallel a wide range of sensitive opticalmethodologies is essential: broad bandspectroscopy, confocal microscopy, near fieldmicroscopy, single molecule/quantum-dotdetection, non-linear optics, ultrafastexcitation/detection, etc.

6. Existing initiatives

In the European 7th framework “Photonics” isone of the topics with special attention, in viewof its importance for European industry and tosafeguard the European photonic strength incompetition with Asia and United States. In 2005Photonics21 (www.photonics21.org), aEuropean Technology Platform, was foundedaiming at coordinating education, research,training, and development activities in the fieldof photonics in Europe.

Currently, it has over 1400 stakeholders from 49countries. Fotónica21 (www.fotonica21.org) isthe analogue Spanish Photonics TechnologyPlatform. EPIC, the European Photonics IndustryConsortium, is working with industries,universities, and the European Commission tobuild a more competitive photonics industrial

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Figure 1. Paired nanowires make robust plasmotic waveguides.

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sector. In parallel the NanoPhotonics AssociationEurope (www.nanophotonics europe.org), wasinitiated (coordinated by ICFO Barcelona),involving the major European research centres,to create a common voice for NanoPhotonicsparticularly.

Spanish NanoPhotonics research is strong inEurope. Already in 6th Frame work Spanishgroups contributed substantially to Networks ofExcellence “PlasmoNanoDevices”,“PhOREMOST” and “MetaMorphose”; and toSTREP programs “Pleas”, “Spans” and“PlasmoCom”. In Framework 7 Spain coordinatesthe NoE NanoPhotonics for Energy Efficiency(Gonçal Badenes, ICFO) and STREP programSPEDOC (Romain Quidant, ICFO). The EuropeanIntegrated Activity, LaserLab-Europe hasexpanded in the 7th Framework with theinclusion of Spanish laboratories: CLPU-Salamanca and ICFO-Barcelona.

The European Science Foundation (ESF) programPlasmon-BioNanoSense, with 6 Spanish groupsand coordination by Stefan Maier (ImperialCollege, London) and Niek van Hulst (ICFOBarcelona). The network provides the meansand resources for Spain to play a leading andguiding role in the future European researchagenda in plasmonics, nanophotonics andbiosensing; all fields of strong activity andimmediate importance for industrialapplications.

Nationally the CONSOLIDER program“NanoLight” aims at developing nanoscale light

technology for applications in sensing,nanoimaging, optical circuitry and data storage.ICFO group leader Niek van Hulst is coordinatorof the NanoLight project, which involves ICFO,several CSIC, institutes in Madrid, Valencia,Zaragoza, and groups at the AutonomousUniversity of Madrid. The NanoLight ScientificAdvisory Board has members from England,France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and theUSA. In parallel the CONSOLIDER-program“MetaMaterials” aims at design realization andapplication of MetaMaterials both at microwaveand optical frequencies. Javier Marti, director ofthe NanoPhotonic Technology Center at thePolitechnical University of Valencia coordinatesthe MetaMaterials program.

A first Spanish conference on NanoPhotonics,CEN2008 “Conf. Española de Nanofotónica” wasorganized in Tarragona 2-4 April 2008; in June2010 a 2nd meeting CEN2010 took place inSegovia. Finally NanoPhotonics is one of thefocus areas of the platform “NanoSpain” asmanaged by the Phantoms Foundation. Both thenational annual NanoSpain conference and theinternational TNT (Trends in NanoTechnology)conference series have dedicatedNanoPhotonics sessions.

7. Conclusions

NanoPhotonics is a very active research fieldopening several new horizons, such as controlledsingle photon sources for quantum-information;light harvesting; energy conversion; efficient bio-sensors; optical imaging with 10 nm resolution.The Spanish role in international NanoPhotonicsresearch is currently quite strong and it will beimportant to consolidate or improve thisposition towards the future. For future actionsit is important to keep scientific focus and mass,to guarantee long term funding and to enforcethe connection with industry.

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Figure 2. NanoParticles trapping with resonant optical antennas.

> RICARDO GARCÍA

Place and date of birthLeón (Spain), 1960

Academic career• Professor of Scientific Research, CSIC.

• Research Scientist, CSIC.• Tenure Scientist, CSIC.

• Research Associate at the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Madrid (CSIC).• Post-doctoral associate, University of Oregon (USA).

• Post doctoral fellow, University of New Mexico (USA).• PhD in Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) .

• Master in Physics, Universidad de Valladolid (Spain).

ExperienceGarcía applies a combined theoretical and

experimental approach to develop multipurposetools for quantitative analysis and manipulation of

molecules, materials and devices in the 1 to 100nm length scale. A key feature of RG’s approach isthat nanoscale control and device performanceshould be compatible with operation intechnological relevant environments (air orliquids). He has contributed to the emergenceand optimization of a versatile nanolithographyfor the fabrication of nano-scale devices basedon the spatial confinement of chemicalreactions (local chemical nanolithography). Hehas also contributed to the development,understanding and optimization of amplitude

modulation AFM (tapping mode AFM). Inparticular, he participates in the development of

multifrequency AFM as a unifying scheme fortopography and quantitative mapping of material

properties with sub-1 nm resolution.

ricardo.garcia@imm.cnm.csic.es

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1. Introduction

In the eighties research on scanning tunnelingmicroscopy (STM) was at its apogee. A Spanishinstitution, the Universidad Autónoma deMadrid was at the forefront of the STM activity.This early start in the development of one of theinstruments that epitomizes the emergence ofnanoscience was the result of the continuouseffort of several professors, scientists andgraduate students. In particular, credit must begiven to the vision and perseverance of NicolásGarcía, Arturo Baró and Fernando Flores.

Since then, two generations of Spanish scientistshave kept an internationally competitive level. Insome topics, it could be argued that Spain’s leadsthe way. This claim is supported by the number,impact and quality of the contributions that areoriginated from Spain’s scientific institutions. Butit can also be gauged by the fact that in the periodcovered by this report (2007-2009), three majorconferences on SPM has been held in Spain.

Barcelona hosted the 1st AFMBioMedconference with about 200 participants. Then,Madrid hosted the two major internationalconferences on atomic force microscopy (the11th Non Contact, Madrid 16-19 September2008; 11th International Scanning ProbeMicroscopy, Madrid 17-19, June 2009). About200 scientists attended each conference. Thescientific board of both conferences hasmembers based on Spain.

In addition, Madrid has hosted the first twoconferences on Multifrequency AFM (15thSeptember 2008, 15-16 June 2009).

An estimation of the size of Spain’s SPMcommunity can be obtained from the number ofparticipants in the Spanish conference on SPM,called Fuerzas y Túnel. This is a biannual meetingthat in 2008 had 109 attendees with 37 oralpresentations and 45 posters. Right now there areabout 25 groups that actively work on either thedevelopment of applications of probe techniques.Those groups cover almost all the range technicalapplications and developments. Madrid andBarcelona are the poles of this activity.

Shortly, Madrid’s activity shows a balanceamong instrumentation, applications andtheoretical methods. The activity in Barcelona ismore oriented towards applications. Theserange from cell biology to materials science ormicroelectronics.

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Figure 1. Scheme of the cantilever oscillation in bimodal AFM (R.G.)

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A welcome event in this period has been theincorporation to some Spanish institutions ofseveral scientists with considerable SPMexpertise, notably Rainer Hillebrand, NicolásLorente, Fernando Moreno or Esther Barrena.

It has to be emphasized that the strength andvigor of the scientific activity is not the result ofa concerted effort by Spanish agencies tosupport SPM. Mostly, it has been driven by thevision and the curiosity of some scientists.

2. State of the art

The analysis is divided in three sections: atomicforce microscope (AFM), STM and a brief sectiondevoted to the theory applied to explainscanning probe microscopy experiments.

2.1 Atomic force microscopy

The AFM shows an admirable vitality. Twentyyears after the invention of the instrument andthere is still plenty of room for innovativedynamic AFM approaches.

Instrumentation.In this period there are two major milestones inAFM methods. The collaboration between JulioGómez and José M. Gómez groups (UAM) gave riseto the WSxM software (1).

This is a free software designed to run a widevariety of SPM configurations and that is

compatible with Windows operative system. Theimpact of the WSxM software has beenoutstanding. In a single year (2009) thepublication has been cited 297 times. Anotherhighlight was the development of bimodal AFM(2-3). This method improves the sensitivity oftapping mode AFM by 10-100 times. As aconsequence, it makes compatible highresolution imaging while applying very smallforces. This technique belongs to theMultifrequency AFM concepts that are one ofthe current poles of AFM research.

San Paulo, Bachtold and colleagues (CSIC) haveexploited the high sensitivity of bimodalexcitation for imaging the vibration modes ofseveral nanoelectromechanical systems such assuspendend carbon nanotubes or grapheneresonators (4). Noteworthy is the collaborationestablished between A. Asenjo and colleagues(CSIC) and a company (Nanotec Electronica) toimplement a magnetic force microscopeadapted to the operation under externalmagnetic fields.

Applications. The imaging as well as the spectroscopycapabilities of the AFM has been widelyexploited to study a wide range of materials:biomolecules, nanotubes, semiconductors toname a few. It is worth to mention thepioneering attempts to manipulate themechanical flexibility of virus capsids by a teamof UAM and CSIC scientists (5).

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Figure 2. Image of the vibrational modes of a carbon nanotube (Cour-tesy A. San Paulo)

Figure 3. Section of a silicon nanowire transistor fabricated by AFMnanolithography (Courtesy R.G.)

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The unique ability of the AFM to providespatially resolved electrical measurements hasbeen exploited to measure the electricalproperties of different nanotubes (6-7).Regarding the nanofabrication potential of AFM,it is worth to mention the introduction of dip-pennanolithography in Spain by the AFM community(D. Maspoch and D. Ruiz-Molina). The maturityof AFM oxidation as an alternativenanolithography has been illustrated by thefabrication of sub-5 nm silicon nanowiretransistors (see figure). Cantilever-basednanomechanical sensing implements some AFMtechnology to detect with a exceedingly goodsensitivity mass changes of or interactions. JavierTamayo’s group (CSIC) has proposed a novelscheme to the development of a label-free DNAbiosensor that can detect single mutations (8).

2.2 Scanning tunneling microscopy

The use of the STM in ultra high vacuumconditions has been crucial to determine thegrowth conditions of different nanoscalesystems.

Instrumentation. The most noticeable instrumental developmenthas been the design and construction of a lowtemperature (4K) ultra high vacuum STM by J.M.Gómez-Rodríguez and colleagues. Thisinstrument has been used to study differentsurface diffusion studies of single molecules andnanostructures on solid surfaces.

Applications. The atomic resolution of the STM has beenexploited for addressing several key studies innanoscience (9-13). Martin-Gago and colleagueshave followed in-situ chemical reactions oncatalytic surfaces. In particular, they havesuccessfully synthesized both fullerene, C60, andtriazafullerene, C57N3, with yields close to 100per cent by means of a surface catalyzeddehydrogenation process from theircorresponding planar polycyclic aromaticprecursors (9).

Gambardella and colleagues have imaged withatomic resolution supramolecular layers. Theimages have contributed to understand theorigin of the magnetic anisotropy in two-dimensional iron arrays (10). Hermann Suderowand colleagues have fully exploited thespectroscopy capabilities to image asuperconducting vortex lattice (11). Theyreported one of the first images of a twodimensional melting transition. In anotherrelevant study, Vazquez and colleagues haveapplied the imaging and spectroscopycapabilities of the STM to characterize theformation of a periodically rippled graphenesurface (13).

2.3 Theory

New codes to interpret STM images have beenproposed (J.M. Soler), however, the currenttheoretical activity is applied to explain theexperimental data based on previous theoreticaldevelopments (J. Cerdá, N. Lorente). Thecapability of the AFM to investigate the electricaland mechanical properties of nanoscale systems

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Figure 4. Scheme of the synthesis of C60 (Courtesy J. A. Martin-Gago)

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has motivated an intense theoretical activity (F.Flores and colleagues, P.A. Serena). Firstprinciple calculations are extensively been usedto explain the electrical and mechanicalproperties of nanosystems. In particular, thecollaboration of R. Pérez with Morita’s group inJapan has produced fruitful results to explainatomic-scale manipulation experiments (14-15).The emergence of multifrequency AFM methodshas prompted a theoretical framework to explainthe experiments (2). Some theoretical aspects ofphase imaging have also been revisited (J. J.Sáenz, R. García).

3. International Publications

•I. Horcas, R. Fernández, J.M. Gómez-Rodríguez, J. Colchero, J. Gómez-Herrero,A.M. Baró, WSxM: A software for scanningprobe microscopy and a tool fornanotechnology, Review ScientificInstruments 78, 013705 (2007).

•J. R. Lozano, R. García, Theory ofmultifrequency AFM, Physical Review Letters100, 076102 (2008).

•R. García, R. Magerle, R. Pérez, Nanoscalecompositional mapping with gentle forces,Nature Materials 6, 405 (2007).

•D. García-Sánchez, A. San Paulo, M.J.Espandiu, F. Pérez-Murano, L. Forró, A.Aguasca, A. Bachtold, Mechanical detection ofcarbón nanotube resonator vibrations,Physical Review Letters 99, 085501 (2007).

•C. Carrasco, M. Castellanos, P.J. de Pablo, M.G.Mateu, Manipulation of the mechanicalproperties of a virus by protein engineering,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105, 4150 (2008).

•B. Pérez-García, J. Zuniga-Pérez, V. Muñoz-Sánjose, J. Colchero, E. Palacios-Lidon,Formation and rupture of Schottkynanocontacts on ZnO naocolumns, NanoLetters 7, 1505 (2007).

•P. Sundqvist, F. J. García-Vidal. F. Flores, M.Moreno-Moreno, C. Gómez-Navarro, J. S.Bunch, J. Gómez-Herrero, Voltage and length-dependent phase diagram of the electronictransport in carbon nanotubes, Nano Letters7, 2568 (2007).

•J. Merteens, C. Rogero, M. Calleja, D. Ramos,J. A. Martín-Gago, C. Briones, J. Tamayo, Label-free detection of DNA hybridization based onhydration-induced tension in nucleic acidfilms, Nature Nanotechnology 3, 301 - 307(2008).

•G. Otero, G. Biddau, C. Sánchez-Sánchez et al.Fullerenes from aromatic precursors bysurface-catalysed cyclodehydrogenation ,Nature 454, 865 (2008).

•P. Gambardella, S. Stepanow, A. Dmtriev, J.Honolka et al., Supramolecular control of themagnetic anisotropy in two-dimensional high-spin Fe arrays at a metal interface, NatureMaterials 8, 189 (2009).

•I. Guillamon, H. Suderow, A. Fernández-Pacheco, J. Sese, R. Cordoba, J.M. de Teresa,M.R. Ibarra, S. Vieira, Direct observation ofmelting in a two-dimensionalsuperconducting vortex lattice, Nature Physics5, 651 (2009).

•I. Fernández-Torrente, S. Monturet, K.J. Franke,J. Fraxedas, N. Lorente, J.I. Pascual, Long-rangerepulsive interaction between molecules on ametal surface induced by charge transfer,Physical Review Letters 99, 176103 (2007).

•A. L. Vázquez, F. Calleja, B. Borca, M.C.G.Passaseggi, J.J. Hinarejos, F. Guinea, R.Miranda, Periodically rippled graphene:Growth and spatially resolved electronicstructure, Physical Review Letters 100, 056807(2008).

•O. Custance, R. Pérez, S. Morita, Atomic forcemicroscopy as a tool for atom manipulation,Nature Nanotechnology 4, 803 (2009).

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•Y. Sugimoto, P. Pou, O. Custance, P. Jelinek, M.Abe, R. Pérez, S. Morita, Complex patterningby vertical interchange atom manipulationusing atomic force microscopy, Science 322,413 (2008).

4. Proposed actions in Spain

Spain’s international prominence on SPM hasmostly been driven by the curiosity of thescientists. This is, somehow regrettable, becausethe involved technologies are one of the pillarsthat sustain the advance on nanotechnology.SPM projects are currently funded by the mainprograms of the MICINN. However, thoseprograms allocated a limited amount of fundswhat limits the scope of the projects. If Spain isto maintain a leadership in new generation ofscanning probe microscopes, SPM projectsshould be present on the large scientificprograms such as CONSOLIDER or other moretechnology oriented actions.

5. Infrastructure

The profile of the scientists involved in SPMactivities can be divided into three major groups:developers of SPM methods, experts thatperform sophisticated measurements and usersaiming nanoscale characterization. Thosescientists and technologists have different needsand expectations from the technique. Toproperly address those needs and to identifypotential new users, it would be helpful compilea database of the instruments devoted to eachactivity.

6. Other initiatives

Currently, there are two master courses that givea central role to SPM techniques: MasterInteruniversitario en Nanociencia yNanotecnología molecular (coordinated by theUniversidad de Valencia) and Master en Física dela Materia Condensada y Nanotecnología(coordinated by the Universidad Autónoma deMadrid). The Comunidad de Madrid supports a

collaborative project that has an emphasis onSPM applications (Nanoobjetos). Within theEuropean Union, the European ScienceFoundation sponsors or has sponsored severalnetworks where the AFM has a key role such asFriction and Adhesion in NanomechanicalSystems (FANAS) or Nanotribology (Nanotribo).

7. Conclusion

In the reporting period, some significantadvances in scanning probe microscopyinstrumentation and applications havehappened in. The SPM activity shows scientificvitality, strength and growth. It can be said thathistory of the SPM activity is a history of adouble success. First, because an activity thatstarted about 25 years ago has kept a very highscientific profile. Second, for the first time inmodern Spanish science, a scientific activity haskept an internationally competitive level in thethree major aspects: instrumentation,applications and theory.

In fact, this success is the result of several factorssuch as the vision of the pioneers, the existenceof a sizeable group of experts that cover alltopics from instrumentation to theory and thefinancial support by the Spanish fundingagencies. If the next evolution in nanoscaleinstrumentation is not to be missed, the fundingagencies should consider the opportunity tostimulate and fund a large collaborative projectin this field. To some extent, it is odd that theConsolider-Ingenio 2010 program does notincluded a project specifically devoted to novelscanning probe microscopy methods.

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> ADRIAN BACHTOLD

Place and date of birth: London (UK), 1972Education: University of Basel (Switzerland), Ph.D. Physics, 1999. Summa Cum LaudeExperience• Professor of ICN at the CIN2(ICN-CSIC) in Barcelona.• Professor of CSIC at the CIN2(ICN-CSIC) in Barcelona.• Principal investigator of the Quantum NanoElectronics group.• Chargé de recherche CNRS (permanent position) at the Ecole Normale. Supérieure in Paris• Post doctoral Research, Delft university of technology.• Post doctoral Research, University of California at Berkeley.• PhD Research and Teaching Fellow, University of Basel.Research Field• Nanophysics, quantum transport.• Novel fabrication techniques at the nanometer scale.• Carbon nanotubes, graphene.• Electron transport at helium temperatures in nanostructures contacted by electrodes.• Scanned probe microscopy of nanostructures.adrian.bachtold@cin2.es

> FRANCISCO GUINEA

Place and date of birth: Madrid (Spain), 1953Experience

• Research scientist (permanent staff since 1987), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) . Work in materialmodels and nanoscopic devices, especially in graphene and related materials.

• About 300 scientific articles published.paco.guinea@icmm.csic.es

> WOLFGANG MASER

Place and date of birth: Koblenz (Germany), 1963Education

• Diploma in Physics by University of Bonn (1990).• PhD thesis performed at Max-Planck-Institute for Solid State Research

(1990-1993).• PhD in Natural Science of University of Tübingen (1993).

Experience• Postdoctoral stays at: Univ. of Sussex, 1993-1994), University of

Montpellier (1994-1997) and the Instituto de Carboquímica (CSIC)(1997-2002).• Research Scientist at Instituto de Carboquímica (CSIC) since 2002.Co-founder and scientific advisor of Nanozar S.L. (2005).• Research topics cover low dimensional systems based onfullerenes, nanotubes, intrinsically conducting polymers and morerecently graphene focussing on control of structure and propertyrelationship. Current research relates to functional carbonnanotubes/graphene based composite materials. Author of morethan 150 research articles. Conference chair of intern.ChemOnTubes 2008 conference. Board member of GDRIGraphene and Nanotubes.wmaser@icb.csic.es

> STEPHAN ROCHE

Place and date of birth: Grenoble (France), 1969Education: Ph.D. in Physics

Experience• Centre de Investigació en Nanociència i Nanotecnologia

Barcelona, Spain.• Institute for Materials Science, TU-Dresden Dresden, Germany.

• Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique Grenoble, France.• Departamento de Física Teórica, Universidad de Valladolid Valladolid,

Spain.• Department of Applied Physics, University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan

European Postdoc Fellow (EU-JSPS and EU-STF programmes).• Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, CNRS Grenoble, France.

• Ph.D. Candidate Sept. 1993 - Sept. 1996.sroche@cin2.es

1. Introduction

Carbon nanotubes and graphene are nanoscaleobjects of great scientific and technologicalinterest due to a combination of extraordinaryproperties (metal or semiconductor fornanotubes, high mobility, good thermalconductor, stiff, light, tough, high surface, etc.). Itis a field of research which has experienced anexplosive growth since the discovery ofnanotubes in 1991 and graphene in 2004. TheWeb of Science shows over 10771 scientificpapers published in 2008, and at least 11178 in2009, see Figure 1. The topics of research arevery vast, including physics, chemistry,engineering, toxicology, and biomedicine.

Today, various major international companiesaround the globe (European ones as majorplayers) produce nanotubes on a severalhundred tons/year scale and further up-scalingis still projected with a price expectation of

below 50 €/kg for multi-wall carbon nanotubes(MWNTs). Driving force is the demand for noveladvanced composite materials with applicationsin automotive, aeronautics, sport goods, textilesand the field of energy. Several companies havebrought already advanced nanotube-compositematerials on the market. While research onMWNTs more concentrates on dispersion andprocessing technologies towards advancedfunctional composites, there is an importantresearch effort on single-wall carbon nanotubestowards improving growth, sorting (metal fromsemiconducting nanotubes) and assemblingtechnologies. As for graphene, the first fabricatedlayers were separated from graphite in a simpleand inexpensive way using scotch tape.

Other fabrication techniques were developedthat are suitable for large-scale production, suchas evaporation of SiC surfaces and chemicalvapour deposition. Exfoliation methods leadingto water soluble graphene oxide sheets whichcan be chemically reduced to graphene sheetsopen a broad ground for chemists and materialscientists. Surprisingly, already there are severalcompanies commercializing graphene basedproducts such as Graphene Laboratories Inc.(USA), GrapheneEnergy (USA), GrapheneIndustries (UK) and Vorbeck Materials (DE).

Products based on nanotube are alreadycommercialized, such as batteries (longer life

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Figure 1. Papers published worldwide since 2005 (date: 20 December2009).

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time). Large electronic companies used nanotubefield-emitters to produce prototypes of flat displaysthat can be rigid or flexible. Composite materialsmade with graphene or nanotubes are promisingfor electric charge dissipation, electromagneticshielding, reinforcement, thermal stability, highporosity. Scientific advances with potentialapplications include drug delivery, cell growth andrepair, and transparent thin film networktransistors.

There has been an intense activity in the last twoyears on the transport properties of graphene.The first experiments on graphene showed thatsamples with dimensions of the order of 1-10microns could be deposited on substrates abovemetallic gates. The carrier mobilities in the firstsamples, μ=103 cm2 s-1 V -1, was about two ordersof magnitude lower than those achieved in Si orGaAs devices. Nevertheless, the early samplesshowed the Integer Quantum Hall Effect, makingthem comparable in this respect to the bestmaterials based on doped semiconductors. Largeexperimental effort ensued for improving themobility (up to μ=2*105 cm2 s-1 V -1). Suspendedgraphene recently showed the FractionalQuantum Hall Effect. Finally, the combination ofthe electric and chemical properties of grapheneallowed to use it as a detector of chemicalspecies.

Nanoelectromechancial systems (NEMS) withnanotubes and graphene have recently attracteda lot of interests. Mechanical resonators werefabricated that can be operated at ultra highfrequencies and that can be used asultrasensitive inertial mass sensors. The couplingof the mechanical and the charge degrees offreedom in nanotube resonators is strikinglystrong as well as widely tuneable. Besides, it wasshown that graphene can withstand up to 10%strain. Elastic strains change the dynamic ofcarriers in a similar way to a magnetic field. Itmay lead to novel uses of graphene, not possible

with other materials, in topics such asmesoscopic magnetism, or “strain engineering”.Another important emerging direction ofresearch concerns spin injection in graphene andnanotubes as well as spin manipulationpossibilities. Although spin injection throughferromagnetic metal/semiconductor interfacesremains a great challenge, a spectacular advancemade in 2007 demonstrated the strongcapability of carbon nanotubes for convertingthe spin information into large electrical signals.The observation of relatively long spin relaxationtimes suggested that graphene could add somenovelty to carbon-based spintronics. Forinstance, taking advantage of the long electronicmean free path and negligible spin-orbitcoupling, the concept of a spin field-effecttransistor with a 2dimensional graphene channelhas been proposed with an expectation of near-ballistic spin transport operation.

2. Recent advances in Spain

There are a number of very active researchgroups on graphene and nanotubes in Spain,with a significant recognition in the field. TheWeb of Science reports a substantial activity asshown in Figure 2. Interestingly, it can be seenthat while on a worldwide level the publicationactivity in the last 4 years for nanotubes has lessthan doubled and almost reaches a saturationlevel, Spanish publication activity has more thantripled without reaching a saturation level. In thecase of graphene, a rapidly increasing worldwidepublication activity (ten-fold increase) can benoticed, while Spain merely doubled itspublication activity in this field in the same timeframe. The situation is comparable to thebeginning of nanotube research in Spain andunderlines Spanish symptomatic weakness inrapidly conquering a new field of research ofgreat scientific and technological importance andmarking the pace from the very beginning on.

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It is a difficult exercise to summarise the activityon nanotube and graphene in Spain, especiallysince we (the authors of this report) are activeplayers in the field. We choose to select a set ofpublished works that have in our opinion animportant impact in the scientific community.

Growth/synthesis

1. Nanofibrillar polyaniline direct route to carbonnanotubes water dispersions in highconcentrationsP. Jiménez, W.K. Maser, P. Castell, M.T.Martínez, A.M. BenitoMacromolecular Rapid Communications 30(6),418 (2009)

In this work the synthesis of a novel nanofibrilarpolyaniline/nanotube water dispersiblenanocomposite is presented. The composite iseasily dispersible in water at high concentrationsup to 10 mg/ml even at highest nanotubeloadings of 50 wt%. The in-situ polymerizationhas been carried out under nanofibrilarconditions resulting in an intrinsicallynanostructured composite materials responsiblefor the dispersibility in aquous dispersions. Onthe other hand, the synthesis represents a noveland direct route for obtaining nanotubedispersions at high concentrations without theuse of any surfactant or stabilizers.

The findings are an important step towards aneasy processing of nanotubes and composites

from aquous dispersions into the forms of films,fibers and masterbatches.

2. Polymeric Modification of Graphene throughEsterification of Graphite Oxide and Poly(vinylalcohol). H.J. Salavagione, M.A. Gómez, G.Martínez.J. Materials Chemistry 19, 5027-5032 (2009).

In this work novel poly(vinylalcohol)/reducedgraphite oxide nanocomposites are presented.Synthesis is performed by reducing graphite oxide inthe presence of the polymer matrix and coagulatingthe systems with 2-propanol. Interactions betweenpolymer and reduced graphite oxide layers, mainlyby hydrogen bonding, are observed.

The interactions are responsible for remarkablechanges in the thermal behaviour of thenanocomposites. In addition, high electricalconductivity has been achived at concentrationsbeyond 7.5 wt% of reduced graphite oxide(about 0.1 S/cm) with a percolation thresholdbetween 0.5 and 1 wt%.

3. Ultralong natural graphene nanoribbons andtheir electrical conductivity.M. Moreno-Moreno, A. Castellanos-Gómez, G.Rubio-Bollinger, J. Gómez-Herrero, N. Agraït.Small 5(8):924-7 (2009).

In this work reported by groups in UAM (Madrid), anew method for graphene flake deposition onsurfaces based on silicone stamps is presented.Using high resolution optical and atomic forcemicroscopy (AFM), the topography and electronicconductance of ultralong graphene nanoribbonswith length greater than 30 μm and minimumwidth below 20 nm are characterized. As theribbons are consequence of the cleaving process(natural GNR) clean edges along thecrystallographic graphene directions are expected,in contrast with those fabricated by lithographytechniques.

Figure 2. Papers from Spain published since 2005 (date: 20 December2009).

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Applications

4. Subnanometer Motion of Cargoes Driven byThermal Gradients along Carbon Nanotubes.A. Barreiro, R. Rurali, E.R. Hernández, J. Moser, T.Pichler, L. Forró, A. Bachtold.Science 320, 775 (2008).

An important issue in nanoelectromechanicalsystems is developing small electrically drivenmotors. The authors report on an artificialnanofabricated motor in which one short carbonnanotube moves relative to another coaxialnanotube. A cargo is attached to an ablated outerwall of a multiwall carbon nanotube that canrotate and/or translate along the inner nanotube.The motion is actuated by imposing a thermalgradient along the nanotube, which allows forsub-nanometer displacements, as opposed to anelectromigration or random walk effect.

5. Lable-Free DNA Biosensors Based onFunctionalized Carbon Nanotube Field EffectTransistors.M.T. Martínez, Y-Chih Tseng, Nerea Ormategui,Iraida Loinaz, Ramón Eritja, Jeffrey Bokor.Nano Letters 9(2), 530 (2009).

In this work a new approach to ensure thespecific adsorption of DNA to nanotubes ispresented. A carbon nanotube transistor arraywas used to detect DNA hybridization. A polymerpoly(methylmethacrylate-co-poly(ethyleneglycol)methacrylate-co-N-succinimidylmethacrylate) was synthesized and bondednoncovalently to the nanotube. Aminated single-strand DNA was then attached covalently to thepolymer. After hybridization statisticallysignificant changes were observed in keytransistor parameters. Hybridized DNA traps bothelectrons and holes, possibly caused by thecharge-trapping nature of the base pairs.

6. Immediate detection of Living Bacteria atUltralow Concentrations Using a Carbon

Nanoube Based Potentiometric Aptasensor.G.A. Zelada-Guillén, Jordi Riu, Ali Düzgün, F.Xavier Rius.Angewandte Chemie, 48, 7334 (2009).

In this work, it is demonstrated that easy-to-buildaptamer-based SWCNT potentiometric sensorsare highly selective and can be successfully usedto detect living microorganisms in an assay in closeto real time, thus making the detection ofpathogens as easy as measuring the pH value. Anaptamer attached to an electrode coated withsingle-walled carbon nanotubes interactsselectively with bacteria. The resultingelectrochemical response is highly accurate andreproducible and starts at ultralow bacteriaconcentrations, thus providing a simple, selectivemethod for pathogen detection. The mostimportant strength of this biosensor is that simplepositive/negative tests can be carried out in realzero-tolerance conditions and without crossreaction with other types of bacteria. The easewith which measurements are taken inpotentiometric analysis opens the door to greatersimplicity in microbiological analysis.

7. Impedimetric genosensors employing COOH-modified carbon nanotube screen-printedelectrodes.A. Bonanni, M. J. Esplandiu, M. del Valle.Biosensors & Bioelectronics 24 (9), 2885-2891.

In this work screen-printed electrodes modifiedwith carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbonnantoubes were used as platforms forimpedimetric genosensing of oligonucleotidesequences specific for transgenic insect resistantBt maize. After covalent immobilization ofaminated DNA probe using carbodiimidechemistry, the impedance measurement wasperformed in a solution containing the redoxmarker. A complementary oligomer target wasadded, its hybridization promoted. Changes incharge transfer resistances between solution andelectrode surface confirm the hybrid formation.

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Electron transport

8. Giant Magnetoresistance in UltrasmallGraphene Based Devices.F. Muñoz-Rojas, J. Fernández-Rossier, and J. J.Palacios.Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 136810 (2009).By computing spin-polarized electronic transportacross a finite zigzag graphene ribbon bridging twometallic graphene electrodes, devices featuring100% magnetoresistance are demonstrated to beachievable built entirely out of carbon. In theground state a short zigzag ribbon is anantiferromagnetic insulator which, whenconnecting two metallic electrodes, acts as a tunnelbarrier that suppresses the conductance. Theapplication of a magnetic field makes the ribbonferromagnetic and conductive, increasingdramatically the current between electrodes. Largemagnetoresistance is found in this system at liquidnitrogen temperature and 10 T or at liquid heliumtemperature and 300 G.

9. Carbon Nanoelectronics: Unzipping Tubes intoGraphene Ribbons.H. Santos, L. Chico, and L. Brey.Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 086801 (2009).

This paper reports on a theoretical study oftransport properties of novel carbonnanostructures made of partially unzippedcarbon nanotubes, which can be regarded as aseamless junction of a tube and a nanoribbon.Graphene nanoribbons are found to act atcertain energy ranges as perfect valley filters forcarbon nanotubes, with the maximum possibleconductance. These results show that a partiallyunzipped carbon nanotube is a magnetoresistivedevice, with a very large value ofmagnetoresistance. The properties of severalstructures combining nanotubes and graphenenanoribbons are explored, demonstrating thatthey behave as optimal contacts for each other,and opening a new route for the design of mixedgraphene-nanotube devices.

10. Midgap states and charge inhomogeneitiesin corrugated graphene.F. Guinea, M. I. Katsnelson, M. A. H. Vozmediano.Phys. Rev. B 77, 075402 (2008).

The authors study the changes induced by theeffective gauge field due to ripples on the lowenergy electronic structure of graphene. Theyshow that zero-energy Landau levels can formdue to the smooth deformation of the graphenelayer. The existence of localized levels gives riseto a large compressibility at zero energy and tothe enhancement of instabilities arising fromelectron-electron interactions includingelectronic phase separation. The combinedeffect of the ripples and an external magneticfield breaks the valley symmetry of graphene,leading to the possibility of valley selection.

11. Ab initio study of transport properties indefected carbon nanotubes: an O(N) approach. B. Biel, F. J. García-Vidal, A. Rubio, F. Flores.Journal Of Physics Condensed Matter 20,294214 - 8 (2008).

This work by B. Biel (currently at the Universityof Granada) and coworkers reports on acombination of ab initio simulations and linear-scaling Green's functions techniques to analyzethe transport properties of long (up to onemicron) carbon nanotubes with realistic disorder.The energetics and the influence of single defects(mono- and di-vacancies) on the electronic andtransport properties of single-walled armchaircarbon nanotubes are analyzed as a function ofthe tube diameter by means of the local orbitalfirst-principles Fireball code.

Efficient O(N) Green's functions techniques framedwithin the Landauer-Buttiker formalism allow astatistical study of the nanotube conductanceaveraged over a large sample of defected tubesand thus extraction of the nanotubes localizationlength. Both the cases of zero and roomtemperature have been addressed.

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Nanoelectromechanical systems

12. Ultra Sensitive Mass Sensing with aNanotube Electromechanical Resonator.B. Lassagne, D. García-Sánchez, A. Aguasca, andA. Bachtold. Nano Letters 8, 3735 (2008).

Shrinking mechanical resonators tosubmicrometer dimensions has tremendouslyimproved capabilities in sensing applications. Inthis letter, the authors go further in size reductionusing a 1 nm diameter carbon nanotube as amechanical resonator for mass sensing.

The performances, which are tested by measuringthe mass of evaporated chromium atoms, areexceptional. The measured mass responsivity andmass resolution are excellent; they surpass thevalues reported previously for resonators madeof nanotube and of any other material.

13. Coupling Mechanics to Charge Transport inCarbon Nanotube Mechanical Resonators.B. Lassagne, Y. Tarakanov, J. Kinaret, D. García-Sánchez, A. Bachtold.Science 325, 1107 (2009).

Nanoelectromechanical resonators have potentialapplications in sensing, cooling, and mechanicalsignal processing. An important parameter in thesesystems is the strength of coupling the resonatormotion to charge transport through the device.Authors investigate the mechanical oscillations of asuspended single-walled carbon nanotube thatalso acts as a single-electron transistor.

The coupling of the mechanical and the chargedegrees of freedom is strikingly strong as well aswidely tuneable.

14. Energy gaps, topological insulator state andzero-field quantum Hall effect in graphene bystrain engineering.F. Guinea, M. I. Katsnelson, A. K. Geim. Nature phys. 6, 30 (2009).

Owing to the fact that graphene is just one atomthick, it has been suggested that it might be

possible to control its properties by subjecting it tomechanical strain. New analysis indicates not onlythis, but that pseudomagnetic behaviour and evenzero-field quantum Hall effects could be induced ingraphene under realistic amounts of strain.

Spintronics

15. Transformation of spin information into largeelectrical signals using carbon nanotubesL. E. Hueso, J. M. Pruneda, V. Ferrari, G. Burnell,J. P. Valdés-Herrera, B. D. Simons, P. B. Littlewood,E. Artacho, Albert Fert & Neil D. Mathur, Nature 445, 410 (2007).

In this paper, L. Hueso (currently head of thenanodevice groups at CIC-NANOGUNE in SanSebastian) and coworkers have demonstrated thestrong potential of carbon based materials for thedevelopment of coherent spintronics. Indeed, dueto the intrinsically spin orbit coupling, very longspin diffusion lengths were obtained, allowing forgiant magnetoresistance signals to be measured.Simulations performed by Miguel Pruneda (nowpermanent research at CIN2-Barcelona) haveconfirmed the good interface matching betweenmetals and nanotubes.

3. Selection of International Publications(2007-2009)

Growth/chemistry

•A Chemical Route to Graphene for DeviceApplications.S. Glje, S. Han, M. Wang, K. L. Wang, R.B. KanerNano Letters, 7(11), 3394 (2007).

•Charting Large-Area Synthesis of High-Qualityand Uniform Graphene Films on Copper Foils.X. Li, Weiwei Cai, Jinho An, S. Kim, J. Nah, D.Yang, R. Piner, A. Velamakanni, I. Jung, E. Tutuc,S. K. Banerjee, L. Colombo, and R. S. RuoffScience 324, 1312 (2009).

•Preferential Growth of Single-Walled CarbonNanotubes with Metallic Conductivity.

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A.R. Harutyunyan, G. Chen, T.M. Paronyan,E.M. Pigos, O.A. Kuznetsov, K.Hewaparakrama, S.M. Kim, D.Zakharov, E.A.Stach, G.U. Suanasekera.Science, 326, 116 (2009).

Applications

•Transparent, Conductive Graphene Electrodesfor Dye-sensitized Solar Cells.X. Wang, L. Zhi, K. Müllen.Nano Letters 8(1), 323 (2008).

•Lable-Free DNA Biosensors Based onFunctionalized Carbon Nanotube Field EffectTransistorsM.T. Martínez, Y-Chih Tseng, NereaOrmategui, Iraida Loinaz, Ramón Eritja, JeffreyBokor.Nano Letters 9(2), 530 (2009).

Electron transport

•Approaching ballistic transport in suspendedgraphene. Xu, D., Skachko, I., Barker, A., Andrei, E. Y. Nature Nano 3, 491-495 (2008).

•Observation of a Mott Insulating State inUltra-Clean Carbon Nanotubes. V. V. Deshpande, B. Chandra, R. Caldwell, D.Novikov, J. Hone, M. Bockrath. Science 323, 106 (2009).

•Fractional quantum Hall effect and insulatingphase of Dirac electrons in graphene.X. Du, I. Skachko, F. Duerr, A. Luican, E. Y. Andrei Nature 462, 192 (2009).

•Observation of the fractional quantum Halleffect in graphene.K.I. Bolotin, F. Ghahari, M. D. Shulman, H.L.Stormer, P. Kim. Nature 462, 196 (2009).

Nanoelectromechanical systems

•An atomic-resolution nanomechanical masssensor. K. Jensen, K. Kim, and A. Zettl. Nature Nanotech. 3 (9), 533-537 (2008).

•Measurement of the elastic properties andintrinsic strength of monolayer graphene.Lee, C., Wei, X., Kysar, J., Hone J. Science 321, 385-388 (2008).

•Coupling Mechanics to Charge Transport inCarbon Nanotube Mechanical Resonators.B. Lassagne, Y. Tarakanov, J. Kinaret, D. García-Sanchez, A. Bachtold.Science 325, 1107 (2009).

•Energy gaps and a zero-field quantum Halleffect in graphene by strain engineering.Guinea F., Katsnelson, M. I., Geim, A. K., Nature Phys. 6, 30 (2009).

Spintronics

•Transformation of spin information into largeelectrical signals using carbon nanotubes. L. E. Hueso, J. M. Pruneda, V. Ferrari, G.Burnell, J.P. Valdes-Herrera, B. D. Simons, P.B.Littlewood, E. Artacho, Albert Fert & Neil D.Mathur. Nature 445, 410 (2007).

•Electronic spin transport and spin precessionin single graphene layers at roomtemperature.N. Tombros, C. Jozsa, M. Popinciuc, H.T.Jonkman, B.J.V Wees.Nature 448, 571 (2007).

4. Proposed actions to initiate in Spain

Actions proposed are related to the followingproblems encountered in the field of grapheneand nanotube research.

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Lack of

• critical mass carrying out high gain/high riskresearch in a topic of importance at theforefront of science,

• sufficient funding for research projects in atopic at the forefront of science, especiallywith respect to contracting qualified personal(PhD and postdocs),

• international initiatives and visibility,

• private R&D support,

• efficient (rapid and flexible) instruments tosupport new research developments.

To overcome these problems, the followingactions are proposed:

• More generous funding of strategic researchprojects (graphene, nanotubes), especiallywith respect to have available funds forcontracting PhD students or postdocs as wellas leading senior scientist to gain thenecessary critical mass for carrying outresearch at the forefront of science. ERC-typegrants at the national level should belaunched (well funded grants for singlegroups).

• Active participation and funding ofinternational research initiatives (related tographene and carbon nanotubes) such as ESFprogrammes.

• Promote formation of young researchers in fieldof nanotubes and graphene by correspondingPhD scholarships, introducing the topic inMaster Courses in Nanotechnology.

• Enhance visibility of Spanish research in fieldof graphene and nanotubes by promotingand generously supporting internationalevents on these.

• Promote private R&D effort in fields related tographene and nanotube related research.

Support the creation of spin-off companies asimportant technology platform which providesnew impulses to industry in different sectors.

5. Future infrastructures (2010-2013)

• Creation of multiple medium-size clean roomsthrough the country within existing researchcentres. This will allow for increased flexibilityof operation as well as better access. Typicalbudgets could range between 1 and 3 M€. Oneor two technicians can be enough.

• Increase of the number of highly qualifiedtechnical personnel.

• Improvement of institutional links betweeneducational programs and research centers.

There are several emerging research centers inSpain that are attracting excellence and developnew initiatives to foster the development ofnanoscience and nanotechnology. However,there is a clear problem to attract Spanishcitizens to do a PHD or a post doc.

One solution is to foster (or create) masters innanoscience by suited reinforcement oftechnical and administrative personal, as well asteaching assistants and research staff. Acoordination, or even networking, ofNanoscience educational programs at thenational level would be desirable.

6. Relevant Initiatives

6.1 Spain

• NANOSPAIN Network.

• TNT conference.

• Sociedad de Materiales Española.

• Red Española de Micro y NanosistemasIBERNAM.

• ChemOnTubes Conference.

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• Plataforma Tecnológica Española deMateriales Avanzados y Nanomateriales.

• CSIC Research centres (CIN2, CNM, ICB,ICMM, ICTP, IFM-UPV).

• Regional Research centres (CIC-Nanogune,ICN, Imdea).

• Universities (Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid,Salamanca, Zaragoza).

• Private research centres (AlphaSip S.L. inMadrid, DropSens S.L. in Oviedo, NanoinnovaSL in Madrid, Nanozar S.L. in Zaragoza).

6.2 Europe

• GDR Network. This is an internationalresearch network supported by CSIC andother institutions in the world, such as theCNRS in France and Cambridge in the UK.

• TNT conference.

7. Conclusions

Spanish research contributes with importantresults to the field of carbon nanotubes andgraphene. The number of publications ininternational journals has increased over the lastyears. Here, the activity on theory produceshighest impact publications. On theexperimental side high impact research is carriedout by few groups but lack of critical mass,funding and proper early initiatives are seriousand continuous danger for being competitivewith large international research teams.

Visibiltiy of Spanish research has increased (also byinternational networking), but a satisfactory levelof international recognition is not reached yet.

On the other hand, solid results of nanotube andgraphene research produced in field of materialsscience, chemistry and energy bear a highpotential for direct technology transfer towards

various industrial sectors as shown by thecreation of several Spanish spin-off companies.

The golden opportunities nanotube andgraphene research offer should not be missedand thus more generous funding forcorresponding research projects is required aswell as the promotion of private R&D initiativesand fostering the link between academics andindustry.

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Figure 3. Suspended graphene structured in a Hall bar (J. Moser andA. Bachtold, CIN2-Barcelona)

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> JUAN JOSÉ SÁENZ

Place and date of birthMadrid (Spain), 1960

EducationProfessor at the Condensed Matter Physics Department of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid(UAM). Since 1993 he runs the Moving Light and Electrons (MoLE) group at UAM.

ExperienceHe joined the UAM as Assistant Professor in 1982 where he worked on the stability

and equilibrium properties of small clusters and crystals in Prof. N.García’s group. He was also involved in the first works on magnetic force

microscopy (MFM) in collaboration with Prof. Güntherodt’s group inBasel. In 1987 he obtained his PhD from UAM.

During his post-doc, he worked on electron field emissionfrom nanotips in Dr. H. Rohrer’s group at IBM-Zürich.

From 1989 to 2006 he was Associate Professor at UAM.Since 2007 he is Full Professor at UAM. At present his

research interests include theoretical modelling ofscanning probe microscopies (SPM), quantumelectron transport through nanocontacts andwave transport and molecular imaging throughcomplex media. In 2003 he was InvitedProfessor in the EM2C-(CNRS) Lab. at ÉcoleCentrale Paris working on nanoscale thermaltransport and nano-optics. He has publishedover 120 papers (among them 26 in PhysicalReview Letters) with more than 2300 citationsand presented more than 150communications in international conferences.He is co-organizer of the “Trends in

Nanotechnology” (TNT) conference series.

He is involved in the European FP7“NANOMAGMA” (NANOstructured active MAGneto-

plasmonic Materials) project and coordinates theComunidad de Madrid Program “MICROSERES”.

juanjo.saenz@uam.es

1. Introduction

During the past 20 years, the fundamentaltechniques of theory, modelling, and simulationhave undergone a revolution that parallels theextraordinary experimental advances on whichthe new field of nanoscience is based. Thisperiod has seen the development of densityfunctional algorithms, quantum Monte Carlotechniques, ab initio molecular dynamics,advances in classical Monte Carlo methods andmesoscale methods for soft matter, and fast-multipole and multigrid algorithms.

Dramatic new insights have come from theapplication of these and other new theoreticalcapabilities. Simultaneously, advances in hardwareincreased power by more than four orders ofmagnitude. The combination of new theoreticalmethods together with increased computingpower has made it possible to simulate systemswith millions of degrees of freedom.

Although theory and modelling has played a keyrole in the development and improvement ofindustrial applications, so far modelling at thenanoscale has been mainly aimed at supportresearch and at explaining the origin of observedphenomena. This is certainly the most importantrole in fundamental science. However, in orderto meet the needs of the industry and to makepractical exploitation of new device and solid-state or molecular material concepts possible, a

new integrated approach to modelling at thenanoscale is needed. A hierarchy of multi-scaletools must be set up, in analogy with whatalready exists for microelectronics, although witha more complex structure resulting from themore intricate physical nature of the devices.

2. State of the art1

Although the required integrated platforms needto be developed, the efforts made in the last fewyears by the modelling community have yieldedsignificant advances in terms of quantitativelyreliable simulation and of ab-initio capability,which represent a solid basis on which a truemulti-scale, multi-physics hierarchy can be built.

2.1 Electronic transport simulations andindustrial needs

The most widely used codes for ab-initiosimulations of solids and extended systems relyon the use of the Density Functional Theory (DFT),rather than on Quantum Chemistry methods.Many of them have been developed in Europe,and some of them are commercial, although theiruse is mostly limited to the academic community.Among the most popular DFT codes using localatomic orbitals as a basis set we can mention theorder-N code SIESTA2 which uses a basis set ofnumerical atomic orbitals.

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In response to the industrial need of newsimulation tools, a class of quantum andtransport solvers is emerging. However, they donot include any inelastic scattering mechanism,and thus are not suitable for the calculation oftransport properties in near-future devices. Onthe other hand, high-level device simulationtools are at an early stage of development inuniversities and research institutions. However,such simulation tools are in general difficult touse in an industrial environment, in particularbecause of a lack of documentation, support andgraphical user interface.

2.2 Material Science and devices

For most emerging devices, the distinctionbetween material and device simulation isgetting increasingly blurred, because at lowdimensional scales the properties of the materialsharply diverge from those of the bulk or of athin film and become strongly dependent on thedetailed device geometry. Computationalphysics and quantum chemistry researchershave been developing sophisticated programs toexplicitly calculate the quantum mechanics ofsolids and molecules from first principles.

Since quantum mechanics determines thecharge distributions within materials, allelectrical, optical, thermal and mechanicalproperties, in fact any physical or chemicalproperty can in principle be deduced from thesecalculations. However, even at the DFT level, abinitio calculations are computationally toodemanding to perform realistic simulations ofdevices.

Therefore, it is necessary to develop moreapproximate methods and, finally, to combinethem in the so-called multi-scale approaches, inwhich different length scales are described withdifferent degrees of accuracy and detail. Thisconvergence between material and device

studies also implies that a much moreinterdisciplinary approach than in the past isneeded, with close integration betweenchemistry, physics, engineering, and, in agrowing number of cases, biology.

2.3 Carbon-based electronics and spintronics

Amongst the most promising materials for thedevelopment of beyond CMOS nanoelectronics,Carbon Nanotubes & Graphene-based materialsand devices deserve some particularconsideration. Indeed, their unusual electronicand structural physical properties promotecarbon nanomaterials as promising candidatesfor a wide range of nanoscience andnanotechnology applications. To date, thedevelopment of nanotubes and graphenescience have been strongly driven by theory andquantum simulation.

The great advantage of carbon-based materialsand devices is that, in contrast to their silicon-based counterparts, their quantum simulationcan be handled up to a very high level ofaccuracy for realistic device structures. Thecomplete understanding and further versatilemonitoring of novel forms of chemically-modified nanotubes and graphene will howeverlead to an increasing demand for moresophisticated computational approaches,combining first principles results with advancedorder N schemes to tackle material complexityand device features, as developed in somerecent literature (see below).

2.4 Nano-Bio modelling

The theoretical understanding of thebio/inorganic interface is in its infancy, due tothe large complexity of the systems and thevariety of different physical interactions playinga dominant role. Further, state of the artsimulation techniques for large biomolecular

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systems are to a large degree still based onclassical physics approaches (classical moleculardynamics, classical statistical physics); while thiscan still provide valuable insight into manythermodynamical and dynamical properties, acrucial point is nevertheless missing: thepossibility to obtain information about theelectronic structure of the biomolecules, anissue which is essential in order to explore theefficiency of such systems to provide chargemigration pathways.

Moreover, due to the highly dynamicalcharacter of biomolecular systems -seen e.g. inthe presence of multiple time scales in theatomic dynamics- the electronic structure isstrongly entangled with structural fluctuations.We are thus confronting the problem of dealingwith the interaction of strongly fluctuatingcomplex molecules with inorganic systems(substrates, etc).

2.5 Thermoelectric energy conversion

The importance of research on thermoelectricenergy conversion is growing in parallel with theneed for alternative sources of energy. With therecent developments in the field, thermoelectricenergy generators have become a commercialproduct in the market and their efficiencies areimproving constantly, but the commerciallyavailable products did not take the advantage ofnano-technology yet. In fact, thermoelectricityis one of the areas in which nano-scalefabrication techniques offer a breakthrough indevice performances.

2.6 Multifunctional oxides

Multifunctional oxides, ranging frompiezoelectrics to magnetoelectric multiferroics,offer a wide range of physical effects that can beused to our advantage in the design of novelnanodevices. For example, these materials make

it possible to implement a variety of tunableand/or switchable field effects at the nanoscale.Thus, a magnetoelectric multiferroic can be usedto control the spin polarization of the currentthrough a magnetic tunnel junction by merelyapplying a voltage; or a piezoelectric layer canbe used to exert very well controlled epitaxial-like pressures on the adjacent layers of amultilayered heterostructure.

These are just two examples of many novelapplications that add up to the more traditionalones -as sensors, actuators, memories, highly-tunable dielectrics, etc.- that can now be scaleddown to nanometric sizes by means of moderndeposition techniques. The contribution fromsimulations to resolve more applied problems(e.g, that of the integration with silicon) is juststarting, and it is a major challenge that willcertainly generate a lot of activity in the comingyears.

2.7 Nanophotonics

Another example where multi-scale and multi-physics simulations become essential isrepresented by the effort to merge electronicswith nanophotonics. The integration of CMOScircuits and nanophotonic devices on the samechip opens new perspectives for opticalinterconnections as well as in the data processing.

These involve the modelling of “standard”passive components, such as waveguides,turning mirrors, splitters and input and outputcouplers, as well as active elements, such asmodulators and optical switches. This requiresthe development of new numerical tools able todescribe electromagnetic interactions and lightpropagation at different length scales. Theyshould be able to describe the electromagneticfield from the scale of a few light wavelengths(already of the order of the whole micro-device)down to the nanometer scale elements.

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These new tools should include a realisticdescription of the optical properties includingelectro- and magneto-optical activenanostructures and plasmonic elements whichare expected to be key ingredients of a newgeneration of active optoelectronic components.

2.8 NEMO devices

A mayor challenge of the “multi-physical”modelling will be to simulate a full nano-devicewhere electronics, mechanics and photonicsmeet at the nanoscale. The interaction of anoptical field with a device takes place not onlythrough the electromagnetic properties, but alsothrough the mechanical response (radiationpressure forces).

The physical mechanisms and possibleapplications of optical cooling of mechanicalresonators are being explored. Modelling Nano-Electro-Mechano-Optical (NEMO) devices isgoing to play a key (and fascinating) role in thedevelopment and optimization of newtransducers and devices.

Thus, one of the main challenges for modellingin the next few years is the creation of wellorganized collaborations with a critical masssufficient for the development of integratedsimulation platforms and with direct contactswith the industrial world.

3. Some relevant publications (2007-2009)

We have selected 10 publications related withtheory and modelling relevant in Nanoscienceand Nanotechnology in the period 2007-2009based on data from ISI Web of Knowledge3: Thepublications cover most of the hot topics inNanoscience from the electronic properties ofgraphene, thermal transport and energyharvesting with nanowires, new nanostructuredmultiferroic composites and metallic alloys,

quantum dots and spintronic and light interactionwith nanostructures to mention a few.

•A.H. Castro Neto, F. Guinea, N. M. R. Peres, et al.The electronic properties of graphene. Reviews of Modern Physics, 81 (1), 109-162(Jan 2009).

•J. C. Meyer, A. K. Geim, M. I. Katsnelson, et al. The structure of suspended graphene sheets,Nature, 446 (7131), 60-63 (Mar 2007).

•A. I. Hochbaum, R. K. Chen, R. D. Delgado, et alEnhanced thermoelectric performance ofrough silicon nanowires. Nature, 451 (7175), 163-U5 (Jan 2008).

• B. Z. Tian, X. L. Zheng, T. J. Kempa, et al. Coaxial silicon nanowires as solar cells andnanoelectronic power sources.Nature, 449 (7164 ), 885-U8 (Oct 2007).

•A. I. Boukai, Y. Bunimovich, J. Tahir-Kheli, et al.Silicon nanowires as efficient thermoelectricmaterials.Nature, 451 (7175), 168-171 (Jan 2008).

•C. W. Nan, M. I. Bichurin, S. X. Dong, et al.Multiferroic magnetoelectric composites:Historical perspective status and futuredirections.Nature Nanotechnology, 3 (1), 31-35 (Jan 2008).

•C. A. Schuh, T. C. Hufnagel, U. Ramamurty. Overview No.144 - Mechanical behavior ofamorphous alloys. Acta Materialia, 55 (12) 4067-4109 (Jul 2007).

•R. Hanson, L. P. Kouwenhoven, J. R. Petta, et al.Spins in few-electron quantum dots. Reviews of moderm Physics, 79 (4), 1217-1265(Oct 2007).

•J. C. Charlier, X. Blase, S.Roche. Electronic and transport properties ofnanotubes. Reviews of moderm Physics, 79 (2), 677-732(Apr 2007).

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•F. Krausz, M. Ivanov.Attosecond physics.Reviews of moderm Physics, 81 (1), 163-234(Jan 2009).

4. Networking for modelling in Spain, Europeand the United States

In the United States, the network forcomputational nanotechnology (NCN) is a six-university initiative established in 2002 toconnect those who develop simulation toolswith the potential users, including those inacademia, and in industries. The NCN hasreceived a funding of several million dollars for5 years of activity. One of the main tasks of NCNis the consolidation of the nanoHUB.orgsimulation gateway (http://nanohub.org/home),which is currently providing access tocomputational codes and resources to theacademic community.

The growth of the NCN is likely to attractincreasing attention to the US computationalnanotechnology platform from all over theworld, from students, as well as from academicand, more recently, industrials researchers. InEurope an initiative similar to the nanoHUB, buton a much smaller scale, was started within thePhantoms network of excellence(http://vonbiber.iet. unipi.it) and has beenactive for several years; it is currently beingrevived with some funding within the EU-NanoICT coordinated action.

In a context in which the role of simulation mightbecome strategically relevant for thedevelopment of nanotechnologies, molecularnanosciences, nanoelectronics, nanomaterialscience nanophotonics andnanobiotechnologies, it seems urgent for Europeto set up a computational platform infrastructuresimilar to NCN, in order to ensure its positioningwithin the international competition. The needsare manifold. First, a detailed identification of

European initiatives and networks must beperformed, and de-fragmentation of suchactivities undertaken. A pioneer initiative hasbeen developed in Spain through the M4NANOdatabase (www.m4nano.com) gathering allnanotechnology-related research activities inmodelling at the national level. This Spanishinitiative could serve as a starting point toextend the database to the European level.Second, clear incentives need to be launchedwithin the European Framework programmes toencourage and sustain networking andexcellence in the field of computationalnanotechnology and nanosciences. To date, nostructure such as a Network of Excellence existswithin the ICT programme, although theprogramme NMP supported a NANOQUANTANoE in FP6, and infrastructural funding has beenprovided to the newly established ETSF(European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility,www.etsf.eu). This network mainly addressesoptical characterization of nanomaterials, andprovides an open platform for European users,that can benefit from the gathered excellenceand expertise, as well as standardizedcomputational tools. There is also a coordinatedinitiative focused on the specific topic ofelectronic structure calculations, the Psi-knetwork (www.psi-k.org).

5. Specific actions to be undertaken(2010-2013)

An extension of the M4NANO initiative couldpave the way towards the development of aEuropean Modelling Database. An initiativesimilar to the American NCN would also beneeded in Europe in conjunction between theEU’s ICT and NMP programs, since the full scopefrom materials to devices and circuits should beaddressed.

These novel initiatives should be able to bridgeadvanced ab-initio/atomistic computational

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approaches to ultimate high-level simulationtools such as Technology Computer-AidedDesign (TCAD) models that are of crucialimportance in software companies. Many fieldssuch as organic electronics, spintronics, beyondCMOS nanoelectronics, nanoelectromechanicaldevices, nanosensor or nanophotonics devicesdefinitely lack standardized and enabling toolsthat are however mandatory to assess thepotential of new concepts, or to adapt processesand architectures to achieve the desiredfunctionalities. The European excellence in thesefields is well known and in many aspectsovercomes that of the US or of Asian countries.

6. Conclusions

Recent advances in nanoscale device technologyhave made traditional simulation approachesobsolete from several points of view, requiring theurgent development of a new multiscale modellinghierarchy, to support the design of nanodevices andnanocircuits.

This lack of adequate modeling tools is apparent notonly for emerging devices, but also for aggressivelyscaled traditional CMOS technology, in which novelgeometries and novel materials are beingintroduced. New approaches to simulation havebeen developed at the academic level, but they areusually focused on specific aspects and have a user

interface that is not suitable for usage in an industrialenvironment.

There is therefore a need for integration of advancedmodelling tools into simulators that can beproficiently used by device and circuit engineers:they will need to include advanced physical modelsand at the same time be able to cope with variabilityand fluctuations, which are expected to be amongthe greatest challenges to further devicedownscaling.

It is clear that the time is ripe for a new generationof software tools, whose development is of essentialimportance for the competitiveness andsustainability of European industry, and whichrequires a coordinated effort of all the mainplayers.

References

1 Based on M. Macucci et al, Status of modellingfor nanoscale and information processing andstorage devices, E-Nano Newsletter 16, 5 (2009).(www.phantomsnet.net/files/E_NANO_NEWS/E_NANO_Newsletter_Issue16.pdf).

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Figure 1. Functionalized graphene nanoribbons can be used to de-tect organic molecules.

Figure 2. The classical diffusion of a small particle in a fluid can begreatly enhanced by the light field of two interfering laser beams.Langevin Molecular Dynamics simulations show that radiation pres-sure leads to a giant acceleration of free diffusion. [Albaladejo et al.,Nano Letters 9, 3527 (2009)] (Courtesy of Silvia Albaladejo).

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2 J. M. Soler, E. Artacho, J. D. Gale, A. García, J.Junquera, P. Ordejón, D. Sánchez-Portal, “TheSIESTA method for ab initio order-N materialssimulations”, Journal of Physics: CondensedMatter 14, 2745(2002). (www.icmab.es/siesta).

3 Data obtained by on-line search in the ISI Web ofKnowledge among the most cited papers publishedin the period “2007-2009” (Publication year) havingmore than 48 citations per year. The list wascompleted by searching (in topic) for “nano* andsimul*”, “nano* and theor*” and “nano* andmodel*”.

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Emerging N&N Centers in Spain

• IMDEA Nanociencia

• CIC nanoGUNE Consolider

• Instituto Català de Nanotecnologia (ICN)

• Instituto de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (CIN2-UB)

• The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO)

• Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA)

• Andalusian Centre for Nanomedicine andBiotechnology (BIONAND)

• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

• Valencia Nanophotonics Technology Center (NTC)

• Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN)

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IMDEA Nanociencia (Madrid Institute forAdvanced Studies in Nanosciences)

Facultad de Ciencias; Módulo C-IX, 3ª plantaAvda. Fco. Tomás y Valiente, 7 Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco 28049 Madrid Tel +34 91 497 6849 / 51 e-mail: contacto.nanociencia@imdea.orgweb: www.nanociencia.imdea.org

Summary: The IMDEA Nanociencia Foundation,created by a joint initiative of the regionalGovernment of Madrid and the Ministry ofScience and Education of the Government ofSpain, manages the IMDEA Nanociencia Institute.This new interdisciplinary research centre aims atbecoming a flexible framework to create newinternationally competitive research groups byhybridizing some of the best scientists in Madriddedicated to the exploration of basic nanosciencewith recognized researches recognized elsewhererecruited on an internationally competitive basis.

Opening: The building of IMDEA NanocienceInstitute, located in the UAM Cantoblanco campus,will be operative in October 2011. Provisionalheadquarter: UAM. Facultad de Ciencias; MóduloC-IX. 3rd floor.

Activity Areas

Program 1. Molecular nanoscience• Design and Synthesis of Molecular

Nanostructures and Nanomaterials. • Atomic and Molecular Self-assembly at Surfaces

and Spectroscopy on Molecular Systems.

Program 2. Scanning Probe Microscopies andSurfaces• Advanced Microscopies and Local

Spectroscopies. • Inelastic Spectroscopy at Surfaces.

Program 3. Nanomagnetism• Magnetic Nanomaterials. • Biomedical Applications.

Program 4. Nanobiosystems: Biomachines andManipulation of Macromolecules• Single-molecule Analysis of Macromolecular

Aggregates. • Organization of Macromolecular Aggregates

on Defined Substrates.

Program 5. Nanoelectronic and superconductivity• Electric Transport in Nanosystems. • Superconducting Nanostructures.

Program 6. Semiconducting Nanostructures andNanophotonics• Semiconducting Nanostructures for Quantum

Information. • Nanophotonics.

NANOSCIENCE & NANOTECNOLOGY IN SPAIN: CENTERS

Horizontal Program on Nanofabrication andAdvanced Instrumentation

Employees

Researchers (including associated) 19 /PostDoctoral Researches 6 / PhD students 6 /Management Staff 3. For more information seeweb www.nanociencia.imdea.org

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)

Low-Temperature Scanning Tunnelling EffectMicroscope (STM); Femtosecond spectroscopicinstrumentation; Atomic Force and FluorescenceMicroscope.

Projects / Funding

• DOTUBE (FP7- Marie Curie Actions-PEOPLE-ERG-2008).

• BIONANOTOOLS (FP7- Marie Curie Actions-PEOPLE-IRG-2008).

• Crecimiento y caracterización de nuevosnanomateriales basados en elautoensamblado de puntos cuanticos ynanotubos de carbono sobre superficiessólidas (MAT2009-MICINN).

• AMAROUT (FP7-Marie Curie Actions-PEOPLE-COFUND-2008) (IMDEA Nanociencia as apart).

2008 annual budget in M€ (including salaries)and an estimation when fully operating. Thisinformation is subject to the Spanish Legislationon Privacy (Ley Orgánica 15/99 –LOPD) andcould not be provided.

CIC nanoGUNE Consolider

Tolosa Hiribidea, 76E-20018 Donostia - San SebastiánTel. 943 574 000Contact person / e-mailJosé María Pitarke de la Torre/jm.pitarke@nanogune.euweb: www.nanogune.eu

Summary: The CIC nanoGUNE Consolider is a newlyestablished Center created with the mission ofaddressing basic and applied world-class researchin nanoscience and nanotechnology, fostering high-standard training and education of researchers inthis field, and promoting the cooperation amongthe different agents in the Basque Science,Technology, and Innovation Network (Universitiesand Technological Centers) and between theseagents and the industrial sector.

Opening date: 30th January 2009

Activity Areas

NANOMAGNETISM GROUP – CIC1• Magnetization reversal, dynamics, and related

characterization methods.

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• Fabrication and magnetic properties ofmultilayered magnetic materials.

• Fabrication and characterization of magneticnano-structures.

NANOOPTICS GROUP – CIC2• Ultra-broadband near-field optical

microscopy.• Near-field optical characterization of nanoscale

materials and semiconductor devices.• Near-field characterization of photonic

structures.

SELF-ASSEMBLY GROUP – CIC3• Plant viruses as scaffolds for nanoscale

structures.• Electrospinning of self-assembling material to

wires .

NANOBIOTHECNOLOGY GROUP – CIC4• Energy transfer processes in hybrid materials

for chemical and biological fuel production,biophotonic and photovoltaic applications.

• Biomedical diagnostics using the energytransfer processes.

• Ultrasensitive nanocrystal-based pathogendetection employing the energy transferprocesses.

NANODEVICES GROUP – CIC5• Carbon-based spintronics• Multifunctional devices• Nanofabrication

Employees

2009Staff: 22Others: 18

2010Staff: 23Others: 30

Forecast 2015Staff: 35Others: 65

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)• 150TWO Ultra High Resolution E-Beam Tool• Deposition System• Vibrating Sample Magnetometer QD-SQUID

VSM• QD-PPMS (Phiysical Property Measurement

System)• Laser Confocal Microscope• WITec Confocal Raman Microscope System

Alpha300 R Em-CCD• ATC 2200 UHV Sputtering System• Scanning Near-field Optical Microscope

System• EVG620 Double Side Mask• AFM/STM Microscope Agilent 5500• Univex 350 for Thermal and E-Beam

Evaporation• Base, Acid and Solvent Wetbench• HF Probe Station from Lake Shore• 4¨ALD system Savannah 100• Fisher equipment• Flux Cytometer CyAn-ADP from Beckman coulter

Nanofabrication tools• Ion Beam Etching System• UHV Ebeam Thermal Deposition System• Reactive Ion Etcher• Ultra High Resolution E-Beam Lithography Tool• UHV Sputtering System• Mask Aligner• Atomic Layer Deposition System

Characterization tools• High Resolution (Scanning) Transmission

Electron Microscope• Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

(SEM/ESEM)• Dual-Beam Focused Ion Beam• X-Ray Diffractometer• FTIR Spectrometer

• Confocal Raman Microscope• Laser Confocal Microscope• Physical Properties Measurement System

(PPMS/QD-SQUID)• Scanning Near-field Optical Microscope• AFM/STM Microscopes• Cytometer

Projects / Funding

• MAGNYFICO Magnetic nanocontainers forcombined hyperthermia and controlled drugrelease (EU, 2008)

• Pulsos Magneticos Intensos Inducidos porparedes de dominio moviles: Aplicaciones a ladinamica Ultrarrápida (MICINN, 2009)

• Nanoantenna: Development of a highsensitive and specific nanobiosensor based onsurface enhanced vibrational spectroscopydedicated to be the in vitro proteins detectionand diases diagnosis (EU, 2009).

2008 annual budget in M€ (including salaries)and an estimation when fully operatingBudget 2008: 2 M €Budget 2009: 3 M €Budget forecast 2015: 4 M €

Institut Català de Nanotecnología (ICN)

Campus de la Universidad Autónoma deBarcelona – Facultad de CienciasEdificio CM708193 BellaterraTel: +34 93 581 44 08 / Fax: +34 93 581 44 11Contact person / e-mailJordi Pascual / Jordi.pascual.icn@uab.es,icn@uab.esweb: www.nanocat.org

Summary: The ICN is a non-profit researchinstitute, created in 2003 by the CatalanGovernment and the Autonomous University ofBarcelona (UAB), who remain its patrons. The ICNworks concurrently in Scientific Research(Nanoscience, primarily via European and nationalcollaborative projects), and in TechnologyResearch (Nanotechnology, in areas of internalexpertise and co-development with privateindustry).

In addition to its own research activities, theInstitute also engages in collaborative research,dissemination, educational and managerialactivities with other institutions such asuniversities, scientific institutes, ministries andprivate companies, at regional, national andinternational levels.

Opening date: July 2003

Activity Areas

Atomic Manipulation and Spectroscopy

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Inorganic NanoparticlesMagnetic NanostructuresNanobioelectronics & BiosensorsPhononic and Photonic NanostructuresPhysics and Engineering of Nanoelectronic DevicesQuantum NanoElectronicsNanoscience Instrument Development Laboratory

Employees

Actual: 100 (80 researchers, 20 administrativesand technicians)Future: 150-200 total

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)

The ICN has specialised facilities, some uniquein Spain, including a powerful electronmicroscopy laboratory, FIB-SEM, electron-beamevaporators, nanoimprint lithographies, low andvariable temperature STMs, magneticcharacterization (Nano- MOKE, SQUID), AFM,SNOM, dip pen nanolithography, cryogenic andvery low temperature cryogenic (< 20 mK)systems, X-Ray diffraction and spectroscopysystems, Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD)chambers, optical spectroscopy (Raman, IRFT,UV-VIS) and more.

Projects / Funding

Budget 2008: 3,8 M €Budget forecast: 12 M €

Centro de Investigación en Nanociencia yNanotecnología (CIN2)

ETSECampus UABBuilding Q - 2nd Floor08193 Bellaterrainfo@cin2.esTel. 93 581 49 69Fax 93 586 80 20

Contact person / e-mailAlbert Figueras / albert.figueras@cin2.esweb: www.cin2.es

Summary: Located in the Barcelona area, CIN2 isa key action for the development of Nanoscienceand Nanotechnology in Catalonia and Spain,aiming to be an international referent of scientificexcellence. CIN2 is a mixed center formed by theConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas(CSIC) and the Institut Català de Nanotecnologia(ICN). This joint intellectual adventure spans fromfundamental research in nanoscience toappplications of nanotechnology, interfacing with

the industrial enviroment. We promote both localand international collaborations, and our researchranges from focused lines to transversal activities.Excellence and dedication are the pillarssupporting the activity of this research center.

Opening

CIN2 exists as a center since January 2008. Sincethen, it has been temporarily located in severalbuildings around the UAB Campus. The permanentheadquarters of the center are under constructionsin the same Campus and will open by 2011.

Activity Areas

CIN2 (CSIC-ICN) counts with five research lines.Theory and simulation at the nanoscale,Scanning probe microscopy and synchrotronradiation spectroscopy, Physical properties ofFabricated nanostructures, Chemical approachesto nanostructured functional materials anddevices and Nanobiosensors devices. Each one ofthese areas has its sublines.

At present, there are 13 research sublines ofinvestigation.• Atomic manipulation and spectroscopy • Inorganic nanoparticles • Magnetic nanostructures • Nanobioelectronics & biosensors• Nanobiosensors and molecular nanobiophysics • Nanophononics and nanophotonics • Nanostructured functional materials • Novel energy-oriented materials • Physics and engineering of nanodevices (pen) • Pld & nanoionics • Quantum nanoelectronics • Small molecules on surfaces in ambient and

pristine conditions • Theory and simulation

Employees

At this time the center has about 175 people,and within months the number will grow withthe move to new building.

The research staff represents the 80%, eitheremployed or in training. The rest areadministrative staff and technicians.

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)

• Dual System FIB-SEM• XPS/UPS System ICN 05/08• X-Ray Difraction (capes primes (cu) I (co) ICN04/08• SQUID• Mid-far IR Spectometer (ICN 08/08)• EVAPORADOR DE MATERIAL MAGNÈTIC• EVAPORADOR DE FEIX D'IONS STANDARD• Axio Observer• NANOMAN -01• DILUTION REFRIGERATOR AND MAGNET- MICROSCOPI PICO PLUS AFF/STM- DPN-0002-01 DPNWRITER TM NSCRIPTOR- Microscopi Pico PLUS AFM/STM- Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD)- UV RAMAN (ICN010/08)- Multiview 4000 Microscope System- NANOMOKE2- MICROSC. LT STM DE BAJA TEMPER- Microscopi STM 150 Aarhus

Projects / Funding

EURYI – ‘Quantum probes based on CarbonNanotubes’ – Prof. Adrian Bachtold, Leader ofthe Quantum Nanoelectronics Group at CIN2.UE.

Specific agreement on management oftechnology transfer in the field of biotechnologybetween CSIC and Fundación Marcelino Botin. Laura Lechuga, Leader of the Nanobiosensorsand Molecular Nanobiophysics Group at CIN2

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NOMAD - Nanoscale Magnetization DynamicERC-SIG-203329 (2008-2013).

P. Gambardella, leader of the Atomic andSpectroscopy Group at CIN2 (ICN-CSIC).

Budget 2008: 2 M €.

ICFO-The Institute of Photonic SciencesPMT-UPC

Avda. del Canal Olímpico s/n08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona)Tel 93 553 40 01Contact Person / e-mail: Gonçal Badenes / Goncal.Badenes@icfo.es web: www.icfo.es

Summary: The Institute of Photonic Sciences,was created in 2002 by the regional Governmentof Catalonia, Spain - through the Department ofUniversities and Research - and the TechnicalUniversity of Catalonia. ICFO is a research centreof excellence devoted to the study of the opticalsciences, with the mission to become one ofEurope’s foremost photonics research centres.

The centre has a triple mission of frontierresearch, post-graduate education, andknowledge and technology transfer. ICFOcollaborates actively with many leading researchcentres, universities, hospitals, health care

centres, and a variety of private corporationsworldwide.

Opening: April 2002

Activity Areas

Research at ICFO is organized in four wide-scopeareas: Nonlinear Optics, Quantum Optics, Nano-Photonics and Bio-Photonics.

Employees

At present, ICFO hosts 17 research groups thatwork in 50 laboratories and one Nano-Photonicsfabrication facility, all hosted in a 9000 sq.mdedicated building based at the MediterraneanTechnology Park, in the Metropolitan Barcelonaarea. ICFO is currently expanding, thus by 2013the institute will host some 350 researchersorganized in 25 groups.

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)

• Optical and electron beam lithography• Sputtering• Thermal and electron-beam evaporation• Plasma etching (RIE+ICP)• Atomic Layer Deposition• Spectroscopic ellipsometry

Projects / Funding

• Nanophotonics for Energy Efficiency-nanophotonics4energy (NoE, UE).

• Surface Plasmon early Detection andTreatment Follow-up of Circulating Heat ShockProteins and Tumor Cells-SPEDOC (STREP, UE).

• Ultrathin Transparent Metal Conductors(CDTI, CIDEM, MICINN, industrial partners).

INSTITUTE OF NANOSCIENCE OF ARAGON

EDIFICIO I+DCampus río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragozac/ Mariano Esquillor, s/n 50018 ZaragozaTel 976 762 777Contact Person / e-mail Ricardo Ibarra (Director) / ina@unizar.esweb: www.unizar.es/ina

Summary: The Institute of Nanoscience ofAragon is an interdisciplinary research instituteof the University of Zaragoza (Spain) created in2003. Our activity is focused on R+D innanoscience and nanotechnology, based on theprocessing and fabrication of structures at thenanoscale and the study of their applications, incollaboration with companies and technologicalinstitutes from different areas.

Opening: The Institute was created the 6th May2003 (DECRETO 68/2003, de 8 de abril, delGobierno de Aragón).

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Activity Areas

1. NANOBIOMEDICINE

The Nanobiomedicine line covers differentaspects of the fields of the diagnosis and therapy,which involve the use of nanoestructuredmaterials.

Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications- Inorganic Nanoparticles- Organic Nanoparticles- Nanostructures functionalization

Nanodiagnostics - Magnetic Biosensors- Optic Biosensors- Contrast Agents for medical imaging

Nanotherapy- Drug Delivery: (i)mobile vectors; (ii)fixed

platforms; (iii) through biological structures(transfection, using Dendritic Cells)

- Hiperthermia

Nanotoxicity- Biocompatibility- Biodistribution- Citotoxicity

From the research in this field the new Spin-offNanoScale Biomagnetics© (nB) has risen. Itdevelops and commercializes technology andequipment for research in biomedicina. www.nbnanoscale.com

Also, a new Spin-off, Nanoimmunotech© wascreated in 2010.

2. NANOESTRUCTURED MATERIALS

The aim of the Nanostructured Materialsresearch line is to investigate and develop newmaterials and devices using “bottom-up” and

“top-down” approaches with applications ofinterest.

The main research topics in this line are relatedto the preparation and characterization ofseveral nanostructures, as well as withapplications development:

- Nanoporous Interphases: Microreactors and sensors

- Hybrid Membranes- Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers- Nanocomposites- Organic and organic-inorganic hybrid Mono

and Multilayers- Organic Polymers for Optical Applications- Safety in the handling of nanomaterials

3. PHYSICS OF NANOSYSTEMS

Physical and chemical properties of molecules &materials at the nanoscale

• Spintronics• Magnetism in thin films • Materials and molecules structure with STM,

AFM, MFM, HRTEM, UHRTEM microscopy• Optic and electronic Nanolithography • Nanofabrication through “dual-beam”• MEMs and NEMs (Micro- and Nanoelectromechanical

systems)• Optical and Magnetic sensors• XAFS espectroscopy quantums dots.

Employees

A staff of 120 researchers (61 PostdoctoralFellows, 37 PhD Students, 15 LaboratoryTechnicians, 7 in Administration) are working atINA. Thanks to our qualified staff and ouradvanced instruments and infrastructures INA isa benchmark in Europe in the fields ofNanoscience and Nanotechnology.

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)

The seven laboratories of INA are equipped witha state-of-the-art equipment.

1. Local probe microscopy Lab.: Atomic ForceMicroscope (AFM), Dip-Pen, two ScanningTunelling Microscope (STM).

2. Electronic microscopy Lab.: 4 ElectronicTransmission Microscopes: TEM 200kW, HighResolution TEM (HRTEM) 300kW, Ultra HighResolution TEM (UHRTEM) 300kW with probe-spherical aberration corrected and UHRTEM300kW with image objective-sphericalaberration corrected. Two Scanning ElectronMicroscope (SEM).

3. Thin films growth Lab.: Equipment for PulsedLaser Deposition-Magnetron Sputtering (plasmaPLD-Sputtering), and another Pulsed LaserDeposition. Molecular Beam Epitaxis (MBE).

4. Optical and electronic nanolithography Lab.Clean room 100 m2 class 10000 and 25m2 class100.: Electronic Nanolitography with Dual Beam(Nanolab)

5. Characterization of nanostructures Lab.: X-RayPhotoelectron Spectroscopy and Auger ElectronSpectroscopy (XPS-Auger), X-Ray Diffraction(XRD).

6. Synthesis and functionalization ofnanosystems Lab.

7. Biomedical applications Lab.

Projects / Funding

Leader: RICARDO IBARRATitle: Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles forGene Therapy (NANOTRUCK)Starting date: 01/07/2009-30/06/2012

Total grant coordinated by INA: 888.636,00 € Total INA grant: 222.000,00 € Funded by: ERANET

Leader: RICARDO IBARRATitle: Consolider-Nanotecnologies in BiomedicineStarting date: sept-2006/sept 2011Total grant coordinated by INA: 4.500.000,00 €Total INA grant: 800.000,00 € Funded by: MICINN

Leader: JOSÉ LUIS SERRANOTitle: Functional liquid cristallyne dendrimers:Synthesis of new materials, resource for newapplications (DENDREAMERS)Starting-ending date: 01/10/2007-30/09/2011Total grant coordinated by INA: 4.219.110,00 € Total INA grant: 897.307,00 € Funded by: European Commission

2008 annual budget in M€ (including salaries)and an estimation when fully operatingThe annual budget in 2008 was 8 M€ fromresearch projects won in public competition plusalso the annual budget given by the AragonGovernment.

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Centro Andaluz de Nanomedicina yBiotecnología (BIONAND) / AndalusianCentre for Nanomedicine andBiotechnology (BIONAND)

C/ Severo OchoaParque Tecnológico de Andalucía (PTA)Málaga, Spain Tel +34 955 40 71 39 / +34 955 04 04 50 Contact Person / e-mail David Pozo Perezdavid.pozo@juntadeandalucia.esdavid.pozo@cabimer.esweb: www.bionand.es

Summary: The Andalusian Centre forNanomedicine and Biotechnology Centre(BIONAND) is conceived as a multidisciplinary spacedesigned for fostering and promoting cutting-edgeresearch in the field of nanobiotechnology appliedto human diseases. The centre is a joint initiative ofthe Regional Ministry of Innovation, Science andEnteprise of Andalusia, the Regional Ministry ofHealth of Andalusia, the University of Malaga andthe Mediterranean Institute for the Advancementof Biotechnology and Health Research (IMABIS).

BIONAND is the first Spanish nanotechnologyresearch centre entirely focused on nanomedicine.BIONAND is born to be the Spanish Nanomedicinereference centre.

Opening: End of 2010

Activity Areas

Nanodiagnostics, Thearapeutic Nanosystems,Nanobiotecnology

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)

Cell Culture Facilities, Confocal and ElectronicMicroscopy Facilities, Espectroscopy Facilities,Flow Citometry Facility, Molecular Biology CoreFacility, Animal facility.

Projects / Funding3

2008 annual budget in M € (including salaries)and an estimation when fully operating 2.600.000 €

International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory

Av. José Mestre Veiga,4715-310 BragaPortugalTel +351 253 601550Fax: +351 253 601 559Contact Person / e-mail: José Rivas (General Director)jose.rivas@inl.intweb: www.inl.int

Summary: The International IberianNanotechnology Laboratory, a recently formedinternational research organization, is a jointresearch facility created by the Spanish andPortuguese governments to fosterNanotechnology and Nanosciences. INL islocated in Braga, North of Portugal and it expectsto achieve a research community of around 400people at full operation.

Activity Areas

- Nanomedecine; drug delivery systems,molecular diagnosis systems, cell therapy andtissue engineering.

- Nanotechnology applied to food industry,food safety and environment control.

- Nanomanipulation, molecular devices, usingbiomolecules as building blocks for nanodevices.

- Nanoelectronics: Nanofluidics, CNTs,molecular electronics, spintronics,nanophotonics, NEMS, and othernanotechnologies used to build nanodevicesand system platforms to support the previousresearch topics.

Employees

Staff Currently Expected at full oper.Researchers 8 160Administration 6 35Technicians 6 55PhD students 18 100Total 38 350

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)

INL is currently purchasing and installing its mainequipment. Among the projected equipment,INL include:

• Central Micro and Nanofabrication CleanRoom: (Class 100 and 1000 ) with a 400m2

useful area, with an expansion capability to600 m2. The gross clean room area (bay andchase) is around 1100 m2.

The nanolithography area is speciallydesigned to VC-E vibration specifications toaccommodate two e-beam tools (10nm orbetter feature resolution). The opticallithography bay will include a direct write lasertool and mask aligners.

• Specialized labs with VC-E or better vibrationspecifications and particular EMI shieldingrequirements: Including imaging and

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characterization tools (HRTEM with sphericalaberration correction, dual beam FIB/FEG, BioTEM, surface analysis cluster(SIMS, XPS),shielded rooms.

• Central Scanning Probe MicroscopyLaboratory: This laboratory will support SPMactivity from standard imaging to advancedinterdisciplinary applications and developmentof new techniques.

• Central Biology and Biochemistry facility: toprovide support for groups developing biologyand biochemistry activity (cell culture, DNAmanipulation, microspotting, etc.).

Additionally INL will have 22 to 24 wet and dry PIlabs that will be gradually equipped (spintronics,NEMS, photonics, high frequency devicecharacterization, nanomaterial synthesis labs,etc…).

Projects / Funding

1. Study of DNA interactions with inorganicnano-components, and how the morphology ofgenerated self-organized structures can beregulated. The project includes tailoring designof bimolecular shell around nanoparticles andbio-linkers to control particle clustering andphases on surfaces and in bulk. Project incollaboration with Center for FunctionalNanomaterials – Brookhaven NationalLaboratory. New York, US.

2. Design, implementation and application of anew microscope for optical sectioning of livecells called the Programmable Array Microscope(PAM). Additionally this project includes thedesign and production of novel biosensors,obtained by combination of organicfluorophores with Nanoparticles.

These biosensors might later be employed asreagents to induce biological and physical effects

as well as for biosensing, exploiting photonic,electrical and magnetic fields in the PAM. Thisproject is carried out in collaboration with MaxPlanck Institute for biophysical Chemistry inGottingen, Germany.

3. Investigations in modern electron microscopytechniques such as Cs corrected STEM, CsCorrected TEM, EELS, EDS, holography andothers to the study of nanoparticles,nanostructures and soft nanostructures(polymers and bio materials). Studies include allaspects of image calculations and imageinterpretation. Project carried out incollaboration with the University of Texas at SanAntonio.

Valencia Nanophotonics Technology Center

Universidad Politécnica de ValenciaValencia Nanophotonics Technology CenterEdificio 8F, 2nd floorCamino de Vera, s/n46022 ValenciaPhone: +34 96 387 97 36 Fax: +34 96 387 78 27Contact Person / e-mailJavier Martí, Scientific Directorjmarti@ntc.upv.esweb: www.ntc.upv.es

Brief Overview

The Valencia Nanophotonics Technology Center(NTC) is a research center inside the UniversidadPolitécnica de Valencia (UPV)). The centerincludes its own team about 75 researchers.

Our mission is to establish leadership in Europe inthe micro/nanofabrication of silicon structures forthe development of nanotechnologies. Ourphotonics products are applied in sectors such as:optical fibre networks and systems, biophotonics,defence, security, and photonic computation.

We are in a new building for the exclusive use ofthe center inside the UPV Science Park Thebuilding measures 3500 square metres withspace for 100 professionals, including a 500square metre cleanroom (class 10-100-10.000).The aim of the NTC and the UPV Science Park isto encourage regional development bytransferring university research results toindustry. The NTC offers an extraordinarytechnological potential and is dedicated tobusiness development.

Date of Foundation: The governing council ofthe Technical University of Valencia officiallyapproved the creation of the NTC on 24 July2003.

Research Areas

- Optical Networks & Systems - Photonic materials & devices- Micro/Nanofabrication and Facilities

The area Optical Networks & Systems is dividedinto six research lines:

• Optical Access and Next-Generation Networks• Optical Networks• Optical Signal Processing• Lasers & Fibre-based Devices• Microwave and Terahertz Photonics• Frequency combs and DWDM sourcesThe area Photonic materials & devices is dividedinto five research lines:• Metamaterials• Biophotonics• Optical modulators• Nonlinear Silicon Photonics• Polymer photonic devices

The area Micro/Nanofabrication and Facilitiesis divided into four research lines:• Nanofabrication• Coupling and Packaging

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• Facilities & Equipment• Photovoltaics

Current and future personnel

Current Personnel

Steering Scientific Committee: 3Management: 5Human Resources: 1Informatics: 3Lab technicians: 6Area Scientific Leaders: 4Senior Researchers: 10Junior Researchers: 16Grant Students: 14Nanofabrication: 13Researchers associated to NTC: 5 Total: 9 persons in management and 71 personsin research

Maximum Personnel

Steering Scientific Committee: 3Management: 6Human Resources: 2Informatics: 3Technicians: 8Area Managers: 6Senior Researchers: 20Junior Researchers: 40Grant Students: 20Nanofabrication: 20Researchers associated to NTC: 5 Total: > 140

Most relevant equipments

Lithography: Raith 150 e-beam direct writing,Nikon DUV stepper 180 nm, 8-inch wafers, TEL-mark8 Developer, TEL- mark8 Coater. Thin Film Deposition: Applied Materials P5000and CenturaEtch: STS ICP etch tool AOE Multiplex, AMAT

CENTURA and P5000.Chemical cleaning: FSI Mercury reactor,SEMITOOL organic solvent system.Physical Caracterization: HITACHI SEM S-4500electron microscope. Evaporator: Pfeiffer Classic 500EVG101 Advanced Resist Processing SystemTherma-wave Opti-probe 5220Bruker VERTEX 80 FTIR (Fourier TransformInfraRed)“Flip-Chip” die attachment equipment SETFC150

Most relevant projects, both running orapproved in 2009.

PROJECT TITLE: Improve Photovoltaic Efficiencyby applying novel effects at the limits of light tomatter interaction.LIMA-FP7-248909.

Financial Institution: European Commission.Coordinator: Universidad Politécnica de ValenciaUPVLC.Participants: Universidad Politécnica deValencia, UPVLC, Spain; Universita degli Studi diTrento, UNITN (Italy); Fundazione Bruno KesslerFBK (Italy); Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior deInvestigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Spain;International Solar Energy Research CenterKonstanz ISC; Germany, Isofotón SA, ISO Spain;University of New South Wales, UNSW, Australia.Team Leader: Guillermo Sánchez.Duration: from January 2010 to December 2012 Budget: 2.375.000 EUR (1.044.691 EUR UPVLC)

PROJECT TITLE: TAILoring photon-phononinteraction in silicon PHOXonic crystals(TAILFOX) FP7-ICT Project 233883

Financial Institution: European Commission.Coordinator: Universidad Politécnica de ValenciaUPVLC.Participants: UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DEVALENCIA, UPVLC, Spain. OTTO-VON-GUERICKE-

UNIVERSITAET MAGDEBURG, Germany.CATALAN INSTITUTE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY, Spain. NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFICRESEARCH – DEMOKRITOS, Greece. CENTRENATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE(CNRS), France.Team Leader: Alejandro Martínez AbietarDuration: from May 2009 to April 2012Budget: 2.595.797 EUR (583.458 EUR UPVLC)

PROJECT TITLE: CONSOLIDER ENGINEERINGMETAMATERIALS (EMET) (CSD2008-00066)

Financial Institution: Ministerio de Ciencia eInnovaciónCoordinator: UPVParticipants: Universidad Pública de Navarra,Universitat Autòmoma de Barcelona,Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior deInvestigaciones Científicas, Universidad deMálaga Universidad, Politécnica de Madrid.Team Leader: Javier Martí SendraDuration: from December 2008 to December2013Budget: 3.500.000 Euros (1.040.076,00 EurosUPVLC)

Employees54

Valencia NTC has a track record in leadingEuropean R&D Framework projects in FP5, FP6and FP7 and also international contract with RTDorganizations like European Space Agency,European Southern Observatory and EuropeanDefence Agency. Since 2000 NTC has co-ordinated 11 projects and has participated in 28projects and networks of excellence.

Annual Budget (M€)

Budget 2009Personnel Costs: 1.989.683,34 €Operation Expenses: 986.702,29 €

Indirect Costs: 595.277,13 €Total: 3.571.662,76 €

Budget for 100% capacityPersonnel Costs: 4.000.000 €Operation Costs: 2.500.000 €Indirect Costs: 1.300.000 €Total: 7.800.000,00

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Centro de Investigación en Nanomaterialesy Nanotecnología - Nanomaterials andNanotechnology Research Center (CINN)

Parque Tecnológico de AsturiasEdificio Fundación ITMA33428 Llanera - AsturiasContact Person / e-mail Prof. Ramón Torrecillas San Millán / Director.cinn@csic.esweb: www.cinn.es

Summary: The Nanomaterials andNanotechnology Research Center (CINN) is a jointresearch center created in 2007 by institutionaljoint initiative between the Spanish Council forScientific Research (CSIC), the Government ofAsturias and the University of Oviedo.

The CINN combines interdisciplinary researchstrongly competitive at international level withscientific and technological demonstrationactivities towards enterprises technologicallyadvanced, and has among its main objectivesthe creation of new technology-based firms.

Opening: 19th November 2007

Activity Areas

The Nanomaterials and NanotechnologyResearch Center is focused on one research line

so called “Controlled Design of MultifunctionalMultiscaled Materials” which comprises threeresearch sublines:

• Modelling and Simulation• Nanostructured Hybrid Systems• Synthesis and Advanced Characterization of

Nanocomposites and Bioinspired Materials

Employees

Personnel (currently): 46Hired: 16Training: 12Civil Servant: 18Personnel (Planned): 100

Infrastructure (from 100.000€)

• Atomic Force Microscopy/ Scanning TunnelingMicroscopy

• Electron Beam Lithography• Single Cristal and Powder X-Ray

Diffractometry• Nanoindentator Hysitron - TriboLab™• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) / Physical

Vapor Deposition (PVD)• Cryogenic dilatomete• Spark Plasma Sintering• Optical Laboratory (Holography)• Elipsometer• Hot Isostatic Press

Projects / Funding

• IP NANOKER “Structural CeramicNanocomposites for top-end FunctionalApplications”. European Union. SixthFramework Programme.

• Nanotechnology for Market (nano4m).European Union. INTERREG IVC.

• Desarrollo y Obtención de MaterialesInnovadores con Nanotecnologia Orientada –DOMINO. MICINN.

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Annex I: NanoSpain Network

• Research Topics

• Regional distribution of research groups

• Total personnel

• Members List

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Annex II: R&D Funding

• Total Funding

• Evolution Total Funding

• Evolution Funding Origin

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Annex III: Publications / Statistics

• No. Publications per Region

• No. Publications per Year

• No. Publications per Issue

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Annex IV: Spain NanotechnologyCompanies (Catalogue)

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The catalogue, compiled by the Phantoms Foundation(coordinator of the Spanish Nanotechnology actionplan funded by ICEX), and published in full version inthe E-nano Newsletter (www.phantomsnet.net/Resources/Catalogue_Companies.pdf) provides ageneral overview of the Nanoscience andNanotechnology companies in Spain and in particularthe importance of this market research, productdevelopment, etc. Note: only those contacted companies which providedtheir details are listed.

The Phantoms Foundation based in Madrid, Spain,focuses its activities on Nanoscience andNanotechnology (N&N) and is now a key actor instructuring and fostering European Excellence andenhancing collaborations in these fields. ThePhantoms Foundation, a non-profit organisation,gives high level management profile to National andEuropean scientific projects (among others, the COSTBio-Inspired nanotechnologies, ICT-FET IntegratedProject AtMol, ICT/FET nanoICT Coordination Action,EU/NMP nanomagma project, NanoCode projectunder the Programme Capacities, in the area Sciencein Society FP7…) and provides an innovative platformfor dissemination, transfer and transformation ofbasic nanoscience knowledge, strengtheninginterdisciplinary research in nanoscience andnanotechnology and catalysing collaboration amonginternational research groups.

The Foundation also works in close collaboration withSpanish and European Governmental Institutions toprovide focused reports on N&N related researchareas (infrastructure needs, emerging research, etc.).

The NanoSpain Network (coordinated by thePhantoms Foundation and the Spanish NationalResearch Council, CSIC) scheme aims to promoteSpanish science and research through a multi-nationalnetworking action and to stimulate commercialNanotechnology applications. NanoSpain involvesabout 310 research groups and companies and morethan 2000 researchers.

The Phantoms Foundation is also coordinator of theSpanish Nanotechnology Plan funded by ICEX(Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade, www.icex.es)under the program España, Technology for Life, toenhance the promotion in foreign markets of Spain’smore Innovative and leading industrial technologiesand products in order to:

1. Represent the Scientific, Technological andInnovative agents of the country as a whole.

2. Foster relationships with other markets/countries.3. Promote country culture of innovation.4. Better integrate the Spanish “Science - Technology

- Company - Society” system in other countries.5. Generate and develop scientific and technological

knowledge.6. Improve competitiveness and contribute to the

economic and social development of Spain.

The Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade ("InstitutoEspañol de Comercio Exterior”) is the SpanishGovernment agency serving Spanish companies topromote their exports and facilitate their internationalexpansion, assisted by the network of SpanishEmbassy’s Economic and Commercial Offices and,within Spain, by the Regional and Territorial Offices.It is part of the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourismand Trade ("Ministerio de Industria, Turismo yComercio").

Contact details

Phantoms FoundationCalle Alfonso Gomez 1728037 Madrid (Spain)www.phantomsnet.net

Edited and Coordinated by

Funded by

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Annex V: NanoSpain Conferences

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Annex V: NanoSpain Conferences

As a direct and most effective way to enhance the interaction between our network members, a firstnetwork meeting was organised in San Sebastián (March 10-12, 2004) with around 210 participantsregistered. Due to this success, the network decided organising its annual meeting, Barcelona(March 14-17,2005), Pamplona (March 20-23, 2006), Sevilla (March, 12-15, 2007), Braga-Portugal(April 14-18, 2008), Zaragoza (March 09-12, 2009) and Málaga (March 09-12, 2010) with a similarformat. Its objective was also to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and promote interdisci-plinary discussions among the different NanoSpain groups. In order to organise the various sessionsand to select contributions, the meeting was structured in the following thematic lines, but inter-actions among them were promoted:

1. Advanced Nanofabrication Methods

2. NanoBiotechnology

3. NanoMaterials

4. NanoChemistry

5. NanoElectronics / Molecular Electronics

6. Scanning Probe Microscopies (SPM)

7. Nanophotonic & Nanooptic

8. Scientific infrastructures and Scientific Parks

9. Simulation at the nanoscale

In 2008, Spain, Portugal and France (through their respective networks NanoSpain, PortugalNanoand C’Nano GSO) decided to join efforts in order that NanoSpain events facilitate the disseminationof knowledge not only in Spain but among the different groups from Southern Europe.

A list of all institutions involved in the organisation of the Nanospain conference series, is providedin the next table:

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Annex VI: Maps for relevant Spanish initiatives

• Emerging N&N Centers in Spain.

• Unique Research and Technology Infrastructuressupporting nanotechnology research / ICTS.

• Other initiatives (networks, platforms, regionalprogrammes, conferences, etc.) related tonanotechnology promotion.

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