The key technology of the 21st century
Nanotechnology covers technology fields with structures and processes in the dimension of the nanometer scale ( a billionth of a millimeter). At this atomic level it is barely possible to distinguish between the disciplines of chemistry, biology and physics. In the “nano-world” different physical laws apply to those in the macroscopic range. These are responsible for the exceptional properties of nanomaterials and components. The development of nanotechnological applications therefore requires the interdisciplinary cooperation of physicists, engineers, chemical engineers, biologists and medical specialists. As a cross-sectional science nanotechnology includes industrial sectors such as automotive engineering, medical technology, pharmaceutics, environmental technology, mechanical engineering, electronics and textiles. It is considered today as one of the key technologies of the 21st century and offers great potential to innovative enterprises.
Bavaria - big in nanotechnology
Germany is up against the U.S. and Japan in the technology leadership conquest. In 2003 publications put Germany in third place, after the U.S. and Japan. In terms of patent applications Germany ranked second, behind the U.S., but in front of Japan.
In turn, Bavaria occupies a frontline position as one of the leading nanotechnology locations in Germany. The extensive and networked research landscape acts as a catalyst generating a lively start-up environment around six large research regions. In the autumn of 2002 the Munich investment company, Activest, issued the first – and also successful – nanotechnology investment fund. Many investment companies have already followed this model.
Nanotechnology in Bavaria
Nanotechnology is one of the key technologies of the 21st century – and a great opportunity for Bavaria. As cross-sectional technology which does not belong to any specific sector, young companies are shooting out of the ground, especially in the areas around outstanding research institutions. This is underscored in Bavaria by the accumulation of young nanotech companies about the Center for NanoScience (CeNS) in Munich, for example.
Market and partners in the fields of nanotechnology
There is no nanotech market as such, but rather very distinctive sub-markets with differentiated market dynamics and characteristics. The Boston Consulting Group estimated the value added for 2005 at one billion euro, just for nano-biotechnological products in Bavaria. The Group considers an increase to 18 billion Euro by 2015 as possible. The number of people employed could rise during the same period from 9,000 to 160,000.
Attractive research environment for nanotechnology
Universities:
Netzworks:
- CeNS (LMU Munich)
- ENNaB – Excellence Network NanoBioTechnology, LMU Munich
- Research cooperations on a restricted time basis : FORNANO, FORCARBON, FORNEL
- Further interdisciplinary networks at the universities (for example NanoTUM)
Non-university research institutions:
Qualified workforce for nanotechnology
The universities LMU and TU in Munich, Augsburg, Bayreuth, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Regensburg and WĂĽrzburg as well as the universities of applied sciences of Munich, Nuremberg and Regensburg have excellent nanotechnology training capacities.
Optimum environment
Interdisciplinary research and close cooperation between science and the business community are standard procedure in Bavaria. Both the State Ministries as well as the Bavarian Research Foundation support and promote research cooperations. The headquarters of the German and European Patent Office in Munich and the cooperation program “Bayern Patent” make it easier for inventors to gain protection for their inventions.
Access to funding
There are over 30 venture capital companies based in Bavaria. Beyond this, start-ups are eligible for support from BioM AG (Munich) or the seed fund program FLĂśGGE of the Bavarian Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts.
Bavarian initiatives and programs for nanotechnology
The Bavarian Research Foundation supports both research cooperations as well as individual cooperations between science and the business community in the field of nanotechnology. The Bavarian Ministry for Science, Research and the Arts also finances research cooperations which, contrary to cooperations financed within the framework of the Research Foundation, do not necessarily have to have industrial partners.
Nanotechnology locations in Bavaria
- Augsburg
- Bayreuth
- Erlangen-Nuremberg
- Munich
- Regensburg
- WĂĽrzburg
Information material
Information material
In the database
"Key Technologies in Bavaria" you will find details on nanotechnology companies operating in Bavaria .
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