NanoDay Brussels

On 3 May 2018, the Nano Association of the Czech Republic, the Office of the Vice-President of the European Parliament Pavel Telička, supported by the Czech Liaison Office for Research, Development and Innovation (CZELO) and other partners jointly organised NanoDay Brussels. NanoDay aimed to introduce Czech nanotechnology to the European audience and to promote awareness of the growing Czech nanotechnology industry.

The speakers focused on possibilities how to support Czech nanotechnology worldwide and in the EU. Discussion also involved possible contributions of the further involvement of the European Union and the Czech Republic, as well as the universities and the businesses.

MEP Telička stated that, in order to make the European Union more competitive in the field of technology and innovation, it is necessary to create suitable ecosystem. Compared to the other innovative regions the Union lost its ability to risk. Failures can be also drivers of the further development and innovation. There is need to create critical mass through more incentives and initiatives. Nanotechnology should be given priority in the government strategies, and a better promotion of the Czech successes is needed at the same time, in order for the Czech Republic to become a nanotechnology promoter. Peter Dröll (EC, DG RTD) introduced the European policy on nanotechnologies and appreciated the strong vision of the Czech nanotechnology industry. However, he also pointed out that Czech universities, researchers and producers should be more involved in the EU projects. Both Dröll and Telička lack wider support of the relevant Czech political authorities.

As Peter Dröll pointed out, the aim of the Union is to reindustrialize Europe in order to improve the quality of life in all sectors. The European Commission's proposal for a multi-annual financial framework (MFF), which makes research and innovation one of the EU's priority areas, also focuses on the development of innovative industries. Hand in hand with that more attention should be paid to nanotechnologies. However, Europe faces the outflow of innovators abroad. The EU is currently trying to solve constraints by new initiatives and instruments such as EIC or Venture Capital Europe. At the same time, change of mind sets and mutual support among the private sector, universities and the public sector is needed as well.

MEP Turmes emphasized that nanotechnology is the driver for the circular economy, for example in the field of food waste. The NanoPack project financed from the H2020 and energy storage are only examples among others. Turmes calls for an open access to research project data in order for the EU to be successful in the field of the circular economy. Last but not least, Luboš Komárek, Nanoprogress cluster, presented achievements in nanotechnology up to recent days.

The audience highly appreciated an exhibition of nanotechnology products, which was also part of the NanoDay Brussel. The representatives of the presented companies from the Nano Association of the Czech Republic as well as researchers in the area of nanotechnology had the opportunity to introduce nanotechnology-based products such as hypoallergenic and anti-dusting materials and products, cosmetics or batteries. The production of nanofibers was also presented to the audience.

Companies Aco Marine, Advanced Material JTJ, Contripro, FILTREX, HE3DA, IQ Structures, Jimiplet, Nafigate, NanoSPACE, NanoTrade and also representatives of the Technical University Liberec join the successful event.

Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3.