Nanoforum Online Questionnaire on the European Commission’s Communication
“Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology”

You are encouraged to complete the following survey which will form the basis of a report produced by the Nanoforum consortium for presentation to the European Commission. The report will detail community opinion on EU policies with respect to funding, infrastructure, R&D and societal concerns in nanosciences and nanotechnologies.
On the 12th May 2004 the European Commission published the Communication “Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology”.
» http://www.cordis.lu/nanotechnology/src/communication.htm «
The Commission is inviting the views of the research and business community on the proposed strategy and the aim of this survey, therefore, is to gather views from a wide range of stakeholders and to provide structured input to the Commission.
Please submit your responses by 15th Oktober 2004 - the timing of this exercise is crucial since discussions on both the Nanotechnology Communication and future EU research are taking place on a political level in the second half of 2004 under the Dutch Presidency of the European Union. It is important therefore that the views of the nanotechnology community are taken into account.
The survey should take on average 15 minutes for you to complete. You are strongly encouraged to participate as this modest investment of your time can have an important impact on future European initiatives in nanotechnology R&D. The outcome of the survey will be published on Nanoforum’s website (www.nanoforum.org) and you will be first to be informed.

(*) = compulsory fields

1. Information about yourself and your organisation
1.1 Family Name
1.2 First name
1.3 Email address
1.4 My organisation is *
Other
1.5 Organisation name
1.6 The opinions expressed here are *
 My own My organisation's
1.7 Your role in the organisation
Other
1.8 Your organisation’s country of establishment *
indicate your country of residence if answering as an individual person
1.9 Your organisation’s geographical area of activities
indicate your area of activities if answering as an individual
1.10 Do you want us to keep your response confidential?
 Yes No
1.11 How involved in nanotechnology R&D are you? *
Very much Quite Moderately A little Not at all
1.12 How involved in nanotechnology issues are you? *
Very much Quite Moderately A little Not at all
2. The impact of nanotechnology
2.1 Will nanotechnology have an impact on the life of the average European citizen?
Within 5 years 5-10 years > 10 years Never Don't know
2.2 Will nanotechnology have an impact on European industry and competitiveness?
Within 5 years 5-10 years > 10 years Never Don't know
2.3 Will nanotechnology have an impact on the following sectors?
  Major A lot Moderate A little Not at all Don’t know
- Chemistry and Materials
- Construction
- Consumer Products
- Equipment Engineering
- Environment
- Healthcare
- Biotechnology
- Information and communication
- Transport
- Energy
- Security/defense
- Others
(please specify)
3. Research and Development
3.1 Which world region/country is the current leader in nanosciences?
(e.g. in terms of scientific publications)
Europe North America Japan China Don’t know
3.2 Which world region/country is the current leader in transfer of nanotechnology to industry?
(e.g. bringing products to market)
Europe North America Japan China Don’t know
3.3 How does investment in nanosciences and nanotechnology R&D in Europe compare to the USA and Japan?
Very High Higher Same Lower Very low Don’t know
3.4 Europe should reinforce its R&D capability in the following areas:
(more than one box can be ticked)

Nanotechnology for structural applications
Nano-powdered ceramics
Composite materials containing nano-crystals or powders
Materials based on carbon tubes or fullerenes
Nano-particulate coatings
Nanoparticle production
Nanotubes/nanowires
Colloids
Metals and alloys
Textiles
Other (describe below)
Nanotechnology for information processing, storage and transmission
Nano-electronics, materials and devices
Opto-electronics / optical materials and devices
Magnetic materials and devices
Organic (opto) electronics
Other (describe below)
Nano(bio)technology for medical applications
Drug encapsulation
Targeted drug delivery, molecular recognition
Tissue engineering
Imaging
Molecular motors
Implantable systems
Diagnostic systems
Other (describe below)
Nanotechnology for sensor applications
Nano structured sensors
Sensors based on biological molecules
Other (describe below)
Nanotechnology for (electro)chemical processing technologies
Filtration
Catalysts or electrodes with nano-structured surfaces
Other (describe below)
Long term research with generic applications
Self-assembly
Quantum physics, mesoscopic systems, chemical
Interfacing to organic / biological molecules
Molecular devices
Modelling and simulation
“Converging” technologies
Other (describe below)
Instruments and equipment, supporting sciences and technologies
Analytical equipment and techniques
Powder production and processing
Deposition equipment and techniques
Patterning equipment and techniques
Beam methods
Metrology
Other (describe below)
Health, Safety, Environmental and Societal Issues
Interaction of nanotechnology with living organisms
Interaction of nanotechnology with the environment
Risk assessment of nanotechnology
Ethical aspects of nanotechnology
Societal impact of nanotechnology
Governance of nanotechnology
Public understanding of nanotechnology
Other (describe below)

Others:
(Comments)
4. EU Research Activities and the Framework Programmes
4.1 What do you think of the balance between basic and applied research in Europe?
More basic No change More applied Don’t know
4.2 Have you participated in an EC funded project under the framework programmes?
 Yes No
If so, in what sort?
Integrated Project (IP)
IP for small- and medium sized enterprises (IP-SME)
Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP)
Network of Excellence (NoE)
Specific Support Action (SSA)
Coordination Action (CA)
4.3 What were your experiences of applying for and participating in the project?
(e.g. finding information, evaluation, support and partners, project management, etc.)
4.4 How much should the European Commission devote to R&D in nanosciences and nanotechnology in the next Framework Programme compared to the current one (FP6)

Double or more Significantly more Same Significantly less Half or less No opinion
4.5 What would you like to see for nanotechnology R&D in future Europe research activities?
(e.g. key issues to address, new areas, new instruments, special measures for SMEs/industry, practical operation of the programme, etc)
5. Infrastructure
5.1 Is there a coherent system of infrastructure for nanotechnology R&D (“poles or centres of excellence”) in Europe that is competitive at world-level.
Yes Some disciplines Some countries Some disciplines / countries No Don’t know

If "Yes" or "Some", please explain:
5.2 At which level(s) should possible new large infrastructure for nanotechnology be established:
European National Regional Local Don’t know
5.3 Which of the following issues are important for nanotechnology R&D infrastructure?
  Crucial Important Less Important Unimportant Don’t know
- To gain access to unique equipment/facilities
- To mobilise a critical mass of interdisciplinary researchers
- To reduce the time-to-market from R&D to products
- To establish private-public partnerships
- To set up networks of experts around emerging themes in nanotechnologies
5.4 Please indicate technological areas and market sectors for which new nanotechnology-orientated infrastructure is needed, if any, and how might they be addressed at European-level?
(Comments)
6. Human resources
6.1 Europe will face a shortage of highly qualified personnel needed to advance nanotechnology:
Within 5 years 5-10 years > 10 years Never Don’t know
6.2 Which of the following skills are important for researchers and engineers in nanotechnology R&D:
  Crucial Important Less Important Unimportant Don’t know
- Interdisciplinarity
- Entrepreneurial skills
(including patenting)
- Communication/presentation
- Awareness of health, safety, environmental and social issues
- Interpersonal/management
6.3 Please rate the following considerations with respect to European nanotechnology:
  Very important Important Less Important Unimportant Don’t know
- Equal opportunities for women
- Mobility for researchers
- Further training opportunities for established researchers
6.4 What other actions do you think should be launched at European level to improve education and training in nanotechnology?
7. Industrial innovation
7.1 An integrated strategy is needed so that Europe can maintain its competitiveness in relation to other countries
(e.g. USA, Japan, etc)
Strongly Agree Agree No opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree
7.2 Established European industries run the risk of not recognising the potential of nanotechnology early enough and losing competitiveness
Strongly Agree Agree No opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree
7.3 To ensure confidence from investors and consumers, regulation of nanotechnology is needed
Within 5 years 5-10 years > 10 years Never Don’t know
7.4 Where should regulation of nanotechnology come from?
International EU National Self regulation Don’t know
7.5 Rate the importance of the main difficulties that are faced by SMEs and start-up companies active in nanotechnology R&D:
  Crucial Important Less Important Unimportant Don’t know
- Access to sources of public funding at EU/national level
- Private investment
- Protection of knowledge at low cost
- Support for management
- Strong cooperation with universities/research organisations
- Availability of highly-skilled personnel
- Access to large industrial partners/clients
- Lack of standards for nanotechnology
- Uncertainty about potential risks and public acceptance of nanotechnology
other
(please specify)
7.6 What actions do you think should be launched at European level to encourage the industrial exploitation of nanotechnology?
(Comments)
8. Integrating the societal dimension
8.1 Europe needs to take account of the potential risks and societal impacts associated with nanotechnology at an early stage
Strongly Agree Agree No opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree
8.2 Without a serious communication effort and dialogue with the public, nanotechnology will face a negative public reception..
Strongly Agree Agree No opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree
8.3 Who should be more pro-active in providing information on nanotechnology to the general public:
 National/Regional Government
European Commission
Research Organisations
Industry
The Media
Others
if "other", please specify
9. Public health, safety, environmental and consumer protection
9.1 Investigation and assessment of health or environmental risks associated with nanotechnology should be integrated into the R&D process at the earliest possible stage.
Strongly Agree Agree No opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree
9.2 At which level should such studies be carried out?
European National Regional Local Don’t know
9.3 What are the more urgent hazards of nanotechnology that for which scientific investigation and risk assessment is needed
(more than one box can be ticked)

Human exposure to free nanoparticles or other nanostructures
Human exposure to materials/devices containing immobile nanoparticles
or other nanostructures
Environmental release of free nanoparticles or other nanostructures
Life-cycle of materials/devices containing immobile nanoparticles
or other nanostructures
None
Others (please specify below)

Comments:
10. International cooperation
  Strongly Agree Agree No opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree
10.1 International cooperation in nanotechnology R&D is needed with other high technology countries to advance basic knowledge and industrial take-up in Europe.
10.2 International cooperation in nanotechnology R&D is needed with less developed countries to ensure that there is equitable transfer of knowledge.
10.3 International cooperation in nanotechnology R&D is needed with less developed countries to ensure access to emerging markets.
10.4 An international “code of good conduct” (or similar) would help to secure global agreement on the principles for the responsible development of nanotechnologies
10.5 What other actions do you think should be launched at international level?
(Comments)
 
Finally, please provide any further comments on the proposed European strategy or any other issues that have not been addressed above.
(Comments)
Would you like to be contacted via email to notify you when the report on this survey is published?
 Yes No
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionaire!

technical realisation:
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