AIRI/Nanotec IT

The Italian Centre for Nanotechnology - is a national bridging point created by AIRI (Italian Association for Industrial Research) for connecting industry, public research and governmental institutions.

It's mission is to promote nanotechnology and its applications to the benefit of the Italian industrial system. To this end AIRI/Nanotec IT gathers and disseminates information, promotes co-operation, educates decision-makers and assists SMEs in R&D projects.

The Centre is actively engaged in fostering a multi-stakeholders dialogue for responsible R&D in nanotechnology and is a participant in the Committee for Nanotechnology of UNI, the national regulatory organisation. It also works in co-operation with the National Committee of Bioethics, the National Institute of Health, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Prevention, Italian Ministries and other Governmental agencies. AIRI/Nanotec IT is the organiser of some of the largest events on nanotechnology in Italy, including workshops specifically devoted to regulation and governance.

Innovation Society

The innovation society is an international management- and technology consulting company. We provide professional consulting for a safe and sustainable use of new technologies, risk management, strategy development and communication.

The innovation society consists of an interdisciplinary team of experts from natural sciences, economics and law. As a part of a worldwide network, we cooperate with leading organisations in research, development and production.

We make a difference by excellent, result-oriented and cost transparent consulting services. Our focus always lies on practical and market oriented solutions.

Institute of Nanotechnology

The Institute of Nanotechnology is a unique organization that was established in 1994 to develop and promote all aspects of nanotechnology. It works closely with industry, government, universities and researchers worldwide, and provides information to the general public through its website.

It organizes international scientific events, conferences of interest to business, debates, educational courses and workshops, examining issues such as the role of nanotechnology in as diverse areas as healthcare, textiles, the environment, manufacturing and the developing world. The Institute participates actively in European projects, and is lead partner in Nanoforum (www.nanoforum.org), a fully funded pan-European nanotechnology information network.

The most recent activity of the Institute has been the creation of a nanomedicine network which provides information on new developments in nanomedicine aimed at medical professionals, through workshops and a dedicated website. It also aims to bring medical professionals together with researchers and industry to research nano-based solutions to patient-centred problems.

University of Stuttgart - ZIRN

ZIRN, is the "Interdisciplinary Research Unit on Risk Governance and Sustainable Technology Development" of Stuttgart University. Head of ZIRN is Prof. Dr. Ortwin Renn. The aim of ZIRN is to do research and analyse the conditions and consequences of sustainable development of technologies, including its risks, and the interaction of politics, economy and civil society (governance). The main task of the research centre is to suggest, to coordinate and to realise research projects in three major research areas:

• Development and design of technologies according to the requirements of sustainability
• Risk governance in the context of globalization and interdependencies
• Knowledge economy and its importance for societal modernization

Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)

The CEA (Atomic Energy Commission) is a French Governmental Research Organisation devoted to both fundamental and industrial R&D. The DRT (Technological Research Division) is a unit of CEA and operates in the fields of technologies for information and communication, robotic, and of technologies for new energies.

The "Laboratory of Innovation for New Energy Technologies and Nanomaterials" of CEA (CEA/LITEN) is a technological research institute with 400 people, focused on the development of renewable sources of energy and nanomaterials. The main transversal activities relate to photovoltaic and energy management for housing and tertiary, hydrogen and lithium storage for transports, and nanomaterials for high-tech applications.

Phantoms Foundation

The Phantoms Foundation was established on November 26, 2002 (in Madrid, Spain) in order to provide high level Management profile to scientific projects. The Phantoms Foundation focuses its activities on Nanoscience & Nanotechnology and is a key actor in structuring and fostering European Excellence and enhancing collaborations in this field. Goals are i) to provide an innovative platform for dissemination, transfer and transformation of basic nanoscience knowledge; and ii) to strengthen interdisciplinary research in nanoscience and nanotechnology and catalyse collaboration among international research groups and favour the emergence of new joint project proposals.

Technology Centre AS CR

The Technology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, established in 1993, promotes industrial utilisation of research and development, provides complex technology transfer services and stimulates creation and growth of small innovative businesses. The Technology Centre is the focal point of national information infrastructure for EU Framework Programmes, acts as the National information centre (NICER) for EU FPs, provides targeted, programme-specific information, advice, assistance and training for Czech R&D community, and organises awareness events.

It co-ordinates strategic projects aimed at development of innovation policies and identification of national research priorities. The Technology Centre participates in a considerable number of EU projects. In the field of nanotechnology completed projects MINATECH and NANOROADMAP and running project observatoryNANO can be mentioned.

Department of Science and Technology (DST),
Republic of South Africa

DST is a government department with the overall responsibility of the development and promotion of science and technology in South Africa. The development of N&N in the country is undertaken by DST through the Emerging Research Areas unit. The development of this area of science is guided by the National Nanotechnology Strategy, which was launched in 2006. A series of programmes have been put in place for the realization of the objectives of this strategy.

Delft University of Technology

TU DELFT offers education and carries out research within the technical sciences focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality at an internationally recognised level. It comprises 8 faculties with laboratories, research institutes and schools.

The Department of Biotechnology (Faculty of Applied Sciences) focuses on Industrial Biotechnology, and the Section Biotechnology and Society is responsible for research and education in ELSI issues of biotechnology. Research focuses on the identification, understanding and quantification of ELSI, the social responsibility of researchers and novel forms of public engagement.

Centro Atómico Bariloche

The Centro Atómico Bariloche is one of the main centers of the Argentine Commission of Atomic Energy (CNEA) and includes an experimental reactor and basic and applied research laboratories. In the field of nanotechnology, the experimental and theoretical laboratories comprise: Low Temperature Physics, Optical properties, Metal, Atomic and Surface physics, MEMS Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics. It is one of the largest research centers in Nanotechnology in Argentina and Latin America. It participates in several national activities in nanotechnology such as the four main national research networks dedicated to research in N&N, the Binational Argentinean-Brazilian Nanotechnology Centre (CABNN), the Centro Interdisciplinario de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia, The Fundación argentina de Nanotecnología (FAN).

Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)

The KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology), founded in 1966, is the first and a multi-disciplinary government affiliated research institute involved in both fundamental and applied science. The NCDC (Nano Convergence Device Center) is a research unit of KIST and the CNMT (Center for Nanostructured Materials Technology) was inaugurated in KIST in July 2002 as one of the 21th Century Frontier R&D Program by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST, now MEST).

The NCDC and CNMT are working together in the EHS & ELSI issues since 2007:

• Organizing annually the workshop INEW (International Nanomaterials Ethics Workshop);
• Involving citizens in the nano dialogue and public engagement;
• Organizing educational programs on the social impacts of N&N;
• Studying the social, economical and cultural dimensions of the N&N;
• Active Participation in the OECD WPN activities.