Europe’s largest Nanotechnology Conference – EuroNanoForum 2013 – Comes to Dublin

Dublin will host the sixth EuroNanoForum conference as part of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council in the Convention Centre Dublin from the 18-20 June 2013. EuroNanoForum 2013 is the largest nanotechnology conference in Europe and will focus on the impact nanotechnology has in problem solving across key societal sectors such as health, energy and environment. The conference, organised by Enterprise Ireland and Spinverse Ltd and supported by the European Commission Directorate for Research and Innovation, also coincides with Nanoweek which runs from 14-21 June 2013.

EuroNanoForum 2013 is the highlight event of the week long programme of activities designed to increase awareness of the impact of nanotechnology in Ireland. Nanoweek is an initiative of NanoNet Ireland, the single body of academia and industry established to promote awareness of nanoscience and its contribution, both socially and economically, to Ireland.

The EuroNanoForum is a must for companies looking to exploit or learn how to exploit the latest nanotechnology developments, as well as an opportunity for researchers to discuss their visions for European industries and research in the future. The Nanotech Europe Exhibition is an integrated aspect of the conference where companies and research centres have the opportunity to demonstrate their innovative products and technologies.

Nanotechnology and nano-materials have already made significant inroads to a vast range of applications in medicine, electronics, biomaterials, transportation, construction, consumer goods and energy production – and are used in everything from everyday applications to lifesaving – from sunscreen to chemical catalysts which keep carpets stain free, to antibacterial agents and groundbreaking nanoparticle screening which detects changes in a person’s immune system or reflect the presence of cancer and infection, to increasing energy efficiency in processes and products in industry and everyday life.

This is only the beginning; nanotechnology has been earmarked as one of Europe’s Key Enabling Technologies and will feature prominently in the forthcoming EU funding programme Horizon 2020.

The conference will showcase nanotechnology innovations to 1,200 delegates from 50 countries with high profile speakers from industry, government and research, such as Shell, Nokia Research Laboratories, Intel, Philips Healthcare and Max-Planck Institute among others, discussing the economic and technological impact of nanotechnologies on European growth. Alongside sessions on ‘Nanotechnology Leadership’, ‘Nano in Everyday Life’ and ‘Commercialisation of Nanoproducts’, the conference will also provide a platform for innovative demos and prototypes of nanotechnologies to delegates and media.

Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, says the EuroNanoForum is a great opportunity to showcase Irish industry innovations and expertise to nanotechnology experts from all over the world. ‘Enterprise Ireland is delighted to be organising the EuroNanoForum in Ireland during its presidency of the European Council,’ he commented. ‘Innovation is critical for economic growth and nanotechnology is a sector which offers endless possibilities. Ireland has great strength in this sector, ranked sixth internationally, it is fitting therefore that Dublin hosts this year’s Conference. The focus of this EuroNanoForum conference, on the commercialisation of nanotechnologies, exploiting its potential for new applications and taking them further from enabling technologies to end products, will strengthen the all-important link between industry and academia – a link that will ultimately help to underpin Ireland’s economic recovery’.

Leonard Hobbs, who leads Intel’s nanotechnology research program in Europe, and is a member of NanoNet Ireland, said he was ’delighted that the prestigious EuroNanoForum was coming to Dublin this June. The decision to host such a major event in Ireland is a testament to the excellent cluster in nanotechnology which now exists in Ireland, as represented most notably by the CRANN centre at Trinity College Dublin and the Tyndall centre at University College Cork. Intel has been an active collaborator in both centres for a number of years and has developed some key learnings in technologies which could be used to build tomorrow’s computers, tablets and mobile phones’.

The Convention Centre Dublin is set to become an innovation hub during the three day conference. Commenting on what to expect Pekka Koponen, CEO of Spinverse Ltd said, “Europe’s leading companies and researchers are showcasing their innovations at the event. Participants range from global leaders like Intel to fast-growth companies such as thin-film innovator Beneq. All understand that next stage of innovation is driven by partnerships that are created right here. I am happy also to see so many national and regional clusters representing their members, promoting their exports and attracting foreign investments”.

The Nanotech Europe exhibition will host a Market Place, engaging clusters, companies, start-ups and spin-offs. Technology Transfer Organisations, Universities, EU-projects and EU-institutions will also feature. There will also be a special Irish Showcase for innovative Irish companies and the Magical Materials Exhibition will showcase the properties of a range of cutting edge materials.