January 2005

Member News

New MANCEF Members

MANCEF would like to welcome our newest members, whether individual, corporate, academic, or government. To renew your membership, please see: www.mancef.org/members.htm

Welcome New LIGA Group Members

Through this LIGA initiative, MANCEF is encouraging a global approach to commercialization using one of the first microfabrication techniques, which was developed by FZK in the late seventies.

For more information about LIGA and the the LIGA Interest Group, see the introductory article in the 4th Quarter 2004 Newsletter and the LIGA Interest Group webpage.

New MANCEF Website Resource Area Featuring tinytechjobs, Job Opportunities

MANCEF now offers a chance for employers to post available jobs and for job seekers to search for jobs,contacts, or events in the micro- and nanotech industry at the Resources webpage on www.mancef.org. Check it out now!

MANCEF's Partnership Program

At COMS2004, the MANCEF Strategic Alliance Committee changed its name to the Partnership Committee. This was to be consistent with MANCEF's mission and objectives as outlined by the President Kees Eijkel. The establishment of partnerships with other organizations is a key element in fulfilling the Foundation's objective of building an international MNT community in commercialization education. MANCEF aims to work with such organizations that have similar aims, particularly where complimentarity and common purpose are identified.

The Partnership Committee identified and approached organizations and networks who would make suitable allies. Generally they were willing and keen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MANCEF. The purpose of which was to provide a framework within such agreements, and, where relevant, contracts could be formulated to carry out joint projects or work program.

At COMS2004, MOUs were signed at a lunchtime ceremony with ITRI, NATEA and FUMEC. (See the 4th quarter 2004 newsletter) Since COMS2004 three more MOUs have been signed with SEMI, GMM, and Eurotraining. These organizations add strength to our Partnership program in areas important to MANCEF and the global micro nano community.

• SEMI is a non profit international industry association serving equipment and materials suppliers in the semiconductor and related industries by offering Standards, expositions, technical, business and education programs, market statistics and other services to its members and other communities.
• GMM (The Society of Microelectronics, Micro and Precision Engineering (VDE/VDI GMM)
  The GMM is backed jointly by the VDE and the VDI. It was founded in 1996, organized into 10 specialist divisions covering technological areas - microelectronics, precision engineering, microsystems and nanotechnology, and currently has 9,200 members. GMM aims to:
  • Ensure innovation in microelectronics, microsystem engineering and nanotechnology
  • Promote the further development of the technologies used in integrated circuits and design systems
  • Develop interdisciplinary ideas
  • Improve the know-how transfer between research and industry
  • Help generate new ideas for the spectrum of applications for microelectronics, micro and precision engineering, and nanotechnology
• EuroTraining is a joint European partnership to enhance European industrial competitiveness in the global market. It offers 2500 training courses and runs a microsystems university service for web-based Masters Degree courses in Europe. The EuroTraining team consists of Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Consorzio per la Ricera e Educazione Permanente (COREP), Technology for Industry Limited (TFI) and Budapest University of Technology an Economics (BUTE). MANCEF will work with EuroTraining jointly on workshops and meetings associated with training in micro and nanotechnology. Agreed upon activities incorporated in the MOU include jointly working towards organization and management of nanotechnology and MEMS meetings in Europe, as well as working together to develop and distribute promotional and educational material commercializing of nanotech and MEMS. EuroTraining and MANCEF also agree to join marketing activities to promote conferences and meetings etc., to work together to develop appropriate training courses to run alongside COMS2005 and other COMS conferences, and work to together to obtain EU funding for such joint activities.

Future Activities:

Emphasis will be placed on working with our new partners within the agreements to extend our activities across the world and build cohesive commercialization educational communities. We are keen to strengthen these in Asia-Pacific and Latin America and members will be doing this in the coming year.

Members who wish to participate in the Partnership Program should contact the Chairman of the Partnerships Committee, David Tolfree.

Henne van Heeren, Enabling M3, The Netherlands	Patric Salomon, 4M2C, GmbH, Germany	www.enablingMNT.com

New Report: Suppliers of Materials for MST/MEMS Production

The exchange of information with MANCEF peers during the roadmap update was an important opportunity for the enablingMNT team to exchange visions and ideas about the MNT industry with other experts. Using latest input from discussions during COMS, we have now finalized our "Materials Suppliers Review".

Although still considered to be the smallest of MST/MEMS markets, the demand for specific materials (substrates, resist, etc) is growing. Equally relevant is the fact that users are operating in a fast changing and diverse environment, forcing the suppliers to develop and sustain a range of application specific products.

The enablingMNT Review on Suppliers of Materials for MST/MEMS Production shows that a multitude of companies ranging from small start-ups to the chemical and plastics giants are supplying the MST/MEMS community.

Having noted the neglect by the suppliers of large quantities for the high volume electronic industries, small companies started to developed customised material solutions for the MST/MEMS market. Their role in the supply chain and the description of further business opportunities make up the analysis in the report, supplemented with detailed material supplier information and profiles.

Supplementary to the general technology trends of the products (See the MANCEF Roadmap), the enablingMNT report supplies information about the supporting infrastructure, in this case the test and measurement equipment suppliers.

The availability of high volume MNT specific measurement devices is essential for the successful industrialization and commercialization process. Without detailed information of the performance and quality of the product during its whole production process, both yield and performance improvement is impossible. Accurate product testing is also essential to guarantee the customer the quality of the product and its requirement to the specifications.

As most of the OEMs and component suppliers in the field of MNT are using home-build test equipment, there is a large potential for dedicated equipment to test and qualify MNT products.

The use of commercial available equipment can not only offer benefits in terms of cost and efficiency, but also by the ability to use the expanded knowledge base supplied by the equipment manufacturer. Therefore, the enablingMNT report offers not only information about generally used testing methodologies, but also gives information about the companies supplying test equipment dedicated to the MNT market.

See: www.enablingMNT.com

2004 Commercialization of Micro and Nano Systems (COMS) Conference Proceedings are Now Available!

COMS 2004 provides you with the resources to compete, to collaborate, to find customers, and to further your commercialization process. If you didn't make it to COMS 2004, you can get a hardcopy of the proceedings while supplies last, and MANCEF members pay no shipping & handling costs within the United States.

Compact disc versions of COMS 2003 Proceedings are still available at no charge to COMS 2003 Participants.

Order your copy of the COMS 2002, COMS 2003 or the NEW COMS 2004 proceedings today at: http://www.mancef.org/documents/order.pdf.

Special COMS Legacy Offer: Contact the MANCEF offices directly (info@mancef.org or +1.505.255.1826) to purchase a bundled collection of COMS proceedings from 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2004 (sorry, 2001 no longer available). Supplies are very limited.

Events

11th Annual Micromachine Summit Call for Sponsors

The 11th MicroMachine Summit will be held 1-4 May 2005 in Dallas, Texas, the first MicroMachine summit to be held in the United States. The Micromachine Summit provides a snapshot of Micro-Nano Technology to worldwide industrial, academic and government initiatives. Three to four key people from each of the most important regions and countries in the Microtechnology arena are invited to participate in the Summit. Four three days, theses delegates gather in a roundtable environment to address topics of special interest and discuss the progress and policies in each country and region. The meeting also hosts a extensive opportunity to develop world-wide networking with leaders in MicroNano Technologies (MNT). See MicroMachine Center legacy information.

Sponsorships are now available for the event but will be limited due to the exclusive nature of the event. As a sponsor of the Summit your company will:

• Spotlight and advance the attributes of your company and its services and products to a targeted audience
• Be identified as part of a network of corporations, universities, governmental agencies, investors and service providers focused on nanotechnology
• Gain recognition as an expert in, and supportive of, the micro- and nanotechnology arena
• Receive the pre-event benefits, on-site benefits and post-event benefits

Sponsorships are allotted on first come, first serve basis. Early selection will secure your company the most desirable opportunity to partner with this innovative program. or more information or to discuss your interest in sponsoring this unique event and becoming part of a network of investors and service providers specializing in assisting nanotechnology ventures, please contact either of the following MicroMachine Summit representatives:

• Scott Bryant (MANCEF) at 505.255.1826 or email: sbryant@mancef.org
• Michael Gaitan at 301.975.2070 or email: gaitan@nist.gov

Event Summaries:

Healthy Opportunities from Small Technologies Forum 2004

Harry Buskes (Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Government of Victoria, Australia)

Melbourne, Australia, hosted its second successful Asia-Pacific MicroNano Commercialisation Workshop from 9-10 December 2004. The workshops were designed to build a more cohesive and focused business environment for the commercialisation of micro and nano technologies in the Asia-Pacific region in conjunction with the international COMS conferences hosted by MANCEF.

The 2004 workshop was run as a two day forum, "Healthy Opportunities from Small Technologies", to share views and provide networking opportunities for the commercial development of small technologies in healthcare. Small technologies represent the integration of micro, nano and biotechnologies with information technology.

The event focused on the impact of small technologies on the future of health care in terms of the business development environment and the challenges posed to society by the increasing prevalence of these technologies. With over twenty key speakers from the US, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions and around two hundred key health stakeholders, representatives from companies, academic institutions, government, the media and the broader community, provided a stimulating exchange of ideas through presentations and panel discussions.

Examples were given from key emerging technologies including:

• Biomaterials for implants and tissue regeneration
• Diagnostics and imaging through biosensors
• Therapeutics in new drug delivery systems
• The associated prospect towards the personalisation of healthcare through information technology

The forum was part of the Victorian Government's ongoing development strategy for advanced health technologies to provide broader access to new healthcare benefits and to reduce the rising cost of healthcare to the community. It is expected to lead to greater opportunities for international cooperation in the development and exploitation of these converging technologies.

MINAPIM 2004

Scott Bryant (MANCEF) and Steven Walsh (University of New Mexico, MANCEF)

Brazil's micro and nanotechnology leaders congregated for the first time between 15-18 September 2004 in Manaus. MANCEF was present to support the efforts of the Superintendence of the Free Trade Zone of Manaus (SUFRAMA), a branch of the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade, in building consensus among a host of national and international organizations on the surest path forward for Brazil's MNT brain trust, workforce, and commercial development opportunities. MINAPIM 2004 attracted an average of 210 people per day from industry, government, and academia. Sponsors and speakers for the event came from around the world and the Mercosur region to learn about Brazil's resources, plans, and needs in pursuing micro and nanotechnology commercialization.

SUFRAMA's superintendent, Ms. Flavia Grosso, opened the event by urging Brazil to pursue a coordinated strategy in consolidating the existing national brain trust in microelectronics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and capital goods while building the infrastructure necessary to realize niche applications already sought by Brazilian industry and government. MANCEF would like to acknowledge SUFRAMA's Program Manager, Hernan Valenzuela, who was responsible for implementing MNT cluster activities, coordinating Brazil's partnerships, and organizing the MINAPIM event. Hernan has recently joined MANCEF's General Advisory Council for the Americas and has worked tirelessly to bring international focus on developing Brazil's MNT potential.

Brazilian industry has already indicated several industrial applications where micro and nanotechnology is likely to provide solutions, including supply chain Bar Code substitution, automotive sensors, environmental control, space, defense, food quality control, cosmetics, agriculture, wireless communications, information technology, and border monitoring. While market applications exist, Brazil recognizes partnerships will be necessary to realize the infrastructure, intellectual capital, and workforce necessary to attract foreign investment. To that end, scientific and academic partnerships have been sought from some of the world's centers of MNT excellence to help Brazil grapple with the interdisciplinary research and education requirements required to generate MNT solutions. To date, agreements have been established with institutes in:

• Belgium (IMEC) for graduate level MEMS manufacturing technical training
• Switzerland (EPFL) for graduate level MEMS materials and technical training
• France (CEA-LETI-MINATEC) for graduate level micro and nanotechnology training
• Germany (VDI/VDE and Frauenhofer Institute) for education program development, research development and academic training in mechatronics, biotechnology, microsystems, and packaging

In addition, the European Commission's Griet van Caenegem reported on the international research cooperation activities formed under the auspices of the Information Society Technologies program. This is a tremendous opportunity for Brazil and other countries to cooperate across European programs in strategically integrated and networked initiatives.

Subsequent to the event, Brazil's Minister of Economics has tapped SUFRAMA to coordinate Brazil's micro-nano activities nationally. SUFRAMA has also launched Portuguese and Spanish language newsletters entitled "SUFRAMA MINAPIM News" and "N4 Brazil" targeted to providing information to Latin America's MNT communities. Readers, stay tuned for announcements of the first editions of these publications.

MANCEF members will receive a free copy of the MINAPIM proceedings by post over the next few weeks as a Members-Only benefit. We thank each of our members for their participation in MANCEF's Global Micro-Nano Community.

For more information on SUFRAMA and Brazil's MNT efforts, please contact Hernan Valenzuela at hvalenzuela@mancef.org. Readers are also invited to learn more about Brazil's MNT efforts at the 18th Symposium on Integrated Circuits and Systems Design (SBCCI2005) to be held in Florianopolis, Brazil, 4-7 September 2005. See www.sbc.org.br/sbcci for more details.

MANCEF would like to thank our Charter members EVGroup and Surface Technology Systems for their speaker support, notably Johann Weixlberger and Andrew Chambers. Additional support from MANCEF members included Henning Wicht of Wicht Technologie Consulting, Bevan Wu of Industrial Technology Research Institute, and Andres Lagos of Colibrys SA.

You can read more about the MINAPIM event in the November 2004 edition of Micro/Nano News under the Show Report section.

MANCEF would like to congratulate Marcel Salvioni, a post-graduate student at the University of Amazonas, who was given a MANCEF student membership for his outstanding questions from the MINAPIM audience.

High Desert MNT Workshop 12 and 13 October 2004

Scott Bryant (MANCEF), James Wylde (Zyvex Corp., MANCEF), Carol Steel (University of South Florida, MANCEF)

The High Desert MNT Workshop, held 12-13 October 2004 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, focused how New Mexico's micro-nano community can produce wider commercial opportunity for its regional commercial, educational, government, and investment interests.

100 delegates from across the region, including state and federal government representatives, regional microsystems and nanotechnology experts and entrepreneurs shared economic development and education models and programs and highlighted regional commercial efforts and perspectives. Some $13 million in funding was announced for various regional initiatives.

State of New Mexico's Secretary of Economic Development Rick Homans and Technology Advisor to New Mexico's Lieutenant Governor Jerry Hanks stressed the importance of technology commercialization, workforce development, and state-assisted infrastructure in positioning state and regional economic engines for success in the coming decade.

Small Tech Education keynote speaker Dr. Dean Aslam of Michigan State University detailed a pathway for educating students from kindergarten through Ph.D.s. Dr. Aslam's education modules include energy, electronics, capacitors, robotics, embedded systems, virtual and augmented realities, along with long-distance education techniques. Working with the NSF-ERC for Wireless Integrated MicroSystems, he pursued a learning model based on demonstrating concepts ranging from what children can see and play with to what they can not see or play with directly. This technique, along with cutting-edge research topics and teaming activities, can help improve the U.S. MNT workforce.

The Workshop highlighted examples of MNT educational excellence within the region including:

• A MicroSystems Academy model at Bernalillo High School, just north of Albuquerque. In partnership with Sandia National Laboratories, the academy model acts as a pipeline from Microsystems-focused math and science projects in high school, to internships, to technical training and onward to engineering and entrepreneurship.
  Retention, disciplinary cross-pollinization, funding, and community awareness challenges exist, but the benefits include reduced drop-out rates, improved GPA, increased post-secondary education enrollment, and better career opportunities in the region.
• Co-host Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute announced a $2.8 million NSF grant to create a regional Southwest Center for Microsystems Education, including the establishment of national skill standards for MNT technicians and the development of curriculum models, materials, and strategic partnering opportunities for professional development across industry and government.
• Arizona's Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center is a national center of excellence focused on the development of work-relevant, industry-endorsed competencies required by the workforce of the semiconductor, automated manufacturing and electronics industries. Robert Hall (TVI) and Mike Lisiecki (MATEC) are working to ensure their materials and curriculum include skills needed for MNT and manufacturing and electronics.
• Drs. Weaver and Kassicieh explained the opportunities for collaborative efforts between the University of New Mexico's Business and Engineering schools, including dual degree programs, public and private sector use of fabrication facilities, and working with Sandia National Labs, Intel, and Next GenerationEconomy. Dr. Weaver announced additional funding of $1.3 million for fab equipment.

The High Desert Workshop was designed to move from education and workforce development into harnessing MNT for economic development. There is a tough road ahead to commercialize small tech, but when an entire region collaborates, products move to market quicker and workforces develop alongside market activity. Commercialization education requires a strong interface between industry, academia, and government, also known as the Triple Helix. This has long been one of MANCEF's central tenets. MANCEF sees increased focus on building education models and partnerships to supply the skills needed over the coming decades.

Dr. Henry Etzkowitz of the State University of New York gave a keynote presentation on the Triple Helix as it relates to entrepreneurship, technology, integrative national science policy, and economic development. Increasingly, universities act as vehicles for converting public funds into social and economic development, not just education. This movement is fully underway in New Mexico, where universities form firms; state government acts as a venture capitalist; industry raises training to higher levels, and national labs encourage commercialization. Etzkowtiz emphasized that Knowledge, Consensus, and Innovation space must be consciously opened to further Triple Helix integration and to harness that integration towards economic opportunity. To learn more about the topic, you may want to attend the 5th Triple Helix Conference to be held in Turin, Italy on 18 -21 May 2005.

An example of opening Consensus space in the region is the launch of the New Mexico Micro-Nano Technology Partnership, designed to develop targeted economic development action plans for tech transfer, entrepreneurship, education and marketing of New Mexico's regional Small Tech activities and partnerships.

The final day of the High Desert MNT workshop focused on commercialization issues. This portion of the workshop brought speakers from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas and opened by Marlene Bourne, Phoenix's In-Stat magazine's lead market researcher. MANCEF members contributed information on patents, cost modeling, foundries, and tax incentives, as well as Homeland Defense, Energy, and NanoTools and Metrology opportunities.

New Mexico lies on the path of developing an international MNT cluster between the U.S. and Mexico. One of the international focal points of activity is the Bi-National Sustainability Laboratory to be located along in the New Mexico, Texas, Mexico border area. Mike Acosta of UTEP's Institute for Economic Policy explained that the conceptual basis for increasing science and entrepreneurial activity along the border involves co-located social and physical life scientists and engineers from both the U.S. and Mexico with a mission to effectively match regional needs with technology-based solutions and spin-off entrepreneurship, a case of both Knowledge and Innovation space occurring within the Triple Helix. Areas of MNT interest for the BNSL include transportation, security, health, environmental quality, and MEMS packaging. Nearly $1 million in funding commitments have been established for the lab to date and an initial location has been established in Santa Teresa, N.M.

To learn more about some of New Mexico's economic development players, please visit the websites of the workshop's hosts and sponsors: the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program, and Technology Ventures Corporation.

MANCEF members will have access to presentations from the High Desert MNT workshop via a separate members-only email.

Exhibitors and Sponsors

Member Workshop Partner and Host

Member Sponsor

Member Sponsor

Charter Sponsor

Additional Workshop Sponsors: Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program and Technology Ventures Corporation

Promoted Events:

EVG invites you to attend
The Official Grand Opening of EVG's North American Facility
In conjunction with Flexible Display Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Date: 3 and 4 February 2005

This event will allow you to tour our new facility that offers a state-of-the-art Class 10 production clean room housing the full range of EVG equipment and auxiliary metrology systems Information on our new technology advancements will be presented. Our management, technology and customer support teams will be on site to discuss how the new location and technology can assist you in the future.

Location:
EV Group Inc.
7700 South River Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85284

For more information please contact Dave Kirsch. Please RSVP by email to C.Lucero@evgroup.com

SEMI Announces
SEMICON West 2005 Technology Innovation Showcase Competition - 2nd Call

SEMI has announced a "call for innovations" for the third annual Technology Innovation Showcase to be held in conjunction with SEMICON West 2005. The application deadline is 6 February 2005.

The Showcase is designed to highlight innovative companies, inventors and entrepreneurs, and expose their innovations to a broader audience of semiconductor manufacturers, suppliers and investors. This three-day event will be held Tuesday, 13 July through Thursday, 15 July at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.

SEMI encourages participation by individual inventors, small companies and start-ups, academia, and research institutions, as well as large companies. Innovations can include new software, processes, service, equipment or materials used by the semiconductor or related industries including MEMS and Nanotechnology. Innovations must be novel to the semiconductor field, provide practical solutions to real problems in the semiconductor or related industries, have data validating the innovation, and should not be a fully released product within the semiconductor industry (innovations may be fully released within another industry).

A panel of industry experts will review applications and select innovations based on technical merit, relevance, and significance to the semiconductor industry. The Technology Innovation Showcase incorporates technical presentations as well as an exhibit pavilion featuring displays from each of the participating companies.

For more information, applications and for a complete list of rules and requirements, visit www.semi.org/tis or contact Ralph Kirk, SEMI North America, at 1.408.943.6992; rkirk@semi.org.

CONTACTS:

Michael Droeger/SEMI
Ph: 408.943.6953
mdroeger@semi.org

Jonathan Davis/SEMI
Ph: 408.943.6937
jdavis@semi.org

Call for Posters: Symposium BioMEMS at Tecnologico de Monterrey

The Organizing Committee of the Symposium BioMEMS at Tecnologico de Monterrey invites you to submit abstracts to be considered for participation in a Poster Session. The exhibition will be held as part of the International Symposium in Electronics and Communications (SIDEC) which in its 20th anniversary has BioMEMS as the main topic. Both events will be held in Tecnologico de Monterrey's Main Campus in Monterrey, Mexico from 3-5 March 2005.

Important Dates:

Deadline for Proposal Submission: 11 February 2005
Notification of Acceptance: 17 February 2005
Pre-register for Symposium BioMEMS and Poster Submission Deadlines: 21 February 2005
Poster Session: 3-5 March 2005

Poster Session Chair: Sergio Camacho Leon. For more information please visit www.biomems.mx or contact posters@biomems.com.mx.

Second MEMS IberoAmerican Meeting
7-8 March 2005

This workshop is sponsored by the United States-Mexico Foundation for Science, the Ministry of Economy of Mexico, The Government of Veracruz, The National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACyT), The University of Veracruz, National Science Foundation (NSF), and The University of Texas at Arlington. Its purpose is to motivate stakeholders, scientists, businessmen and government sector representatives from Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Costa Rica to develop national programs related to this technology.

This is a two day meeting. The first day will feature plenary conferences from high government levels and MEMS recognized speakers such as:

• Sergio García de Alba, Undersecretary of Small and Medium Enterprises from the Ministry of Economy
• Dr. Michael Mignardi from Texas Instruments
• Dr. Steve Walsh from University of New Mexicop
• Dr. Janusz Bryzek from Transparent Networks
• Bai Xu Chiao from the State University of New York at Albany, among others.

The second day will feature working tables with brainstorming to identify action lines and possible collaboration commitments among the participating institutions.

For further information please contact Guillermina Avendaño at 011 (52 55) 55 24 51 50 x 110

ASME'S MEMS V To Include Product Exhibit and Continuing Education Program

MEMS V – 5th Annual MEMS Technology Seminar 17-20 April 2005

LOCATION: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Minn.

SPONSORS:

• ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
• ASME Continuing Education Institute
• ASME Nanotechnology Institute
• Mechanical Engineering magazine
• Micro-Nanotechnology Commercialization Education Foundation (MANCEF)
• MEMS Industry Group
• Minnesota High Tech Association

MEMS V is a seminar providing insight into the latest research achievements and commercialization activity in the emerging fields of micro-electro mechanical systems and nanotechnology. The program includes presentations by leaders in the field, along with tutorials, a product exhibit, plant tour, and continuing education courses.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Engineers and scientists seeking the latest knowledge in the design and development of MEMS and nano-based materials and structures.

REGISTRATION: To register or for more information call 1-800-843-2763, or register online

ASME is a 120,000-member professional organization focused on technical, educational and research issues of the engineering and technology community. Contact John Varrasi at (212) 591-8158.

Euro Nano Forum 2005
Nanotechnology and the Health of the EU Citizen in 2020

5-9 September 2005, Edinburgh

This four-day event will focus on the healthcare applications of nanotechnology - an acknowledged area of strength across the EU. The conference will bring together international speakers and delegates, and will examine how nanotechnologies in the area of robotics, biotechnology, material sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, electronics and information technology will address the healthcare issues of the future. Go to the Euronanoforum website for more details.

See www.mancef.org/events for more information on MANCEF related events