EuroNanoLab Overview
EuroNanoLab is a new distributed research infrastructure consisting of over 40 state-of-the-art academic nanofabrication centers across Europe. Its main vision is to accelerate research in the micro- and nanotechnology sector by enabling the transformation of a fragmented landscape of nanofabrication facilities into an integrated knowledge base supporting scientific excellence and providing researchers a fast-track to results. EuroNanoLab strives to provide:
- New « nanofabrication system » able to fabricate more complex micro/nanodevices by integrating the contributions of several specialised cleanrooms to accelerate excellent scientific projects.
- Central-hub-coordinated user access to world-class nanofabrication equipment and expertise, technology development, and knowledge base.
- Multidisciplinary outreach and creation of novel « nanofabrication building blocks » defined together with leading experts in the following initial scientific communities:
- Quantum technologies
- 2D materials
- Nanobiosciences
- Neuromorphic computing
- Astronomy and space exploration
- Fast transfer of technology developments to start-ups and SMEs.
EuroNanoLab helps to create innovative solutions to societal challenges in the fields of energy, environment, transport, health, and general wellbeing. Becoming an ESFRI will help EuroNanoLab to achieve better recognition and an international as well as at a national level.
EuroNanoLab’s model is inspired by the « NNIN » (US distributed infrastructure of academic cleanrooms founded in 2004) and its core partners are cleanroom networks that have been working with this model for 15 years (SE, NL, FR and NO) .
EuroNanoLab’s Consortium
EuroNanoLab’s Vision
Scientists (either from universities of from industry) involved in exploratory research (low-TRL) are by nature addressing a large variety of new ideas. Therefore, their requests to Nanofabrication centers are often unexpected and even the most famous cleanroom do not have ready-to-use technologies to cope with the expectations of all possible researchers. Long and uncertain process developments are thus required in most of the cases. However, the missing process steps may often be ready for use in remote European cleanrooms that neither cleanrooms nor users are familiar with. Within a well-organized distributed infrastructure, it would be possible to offer a much larger toolbox of process know-how than for a single cleanroom and by using this larger toolbox, propose a fast and high-quality solution to most of the Nanofabrication requests.
| Country | N. of Cleanrooms |
|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 2 |
| Estonia | 3 |
| Finland | 1 |
| France | 5 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Italy | 11 |
| Latvia | 1 |
| Lithuania | 1 |
| Netherlands | 5 |
| Norway | 4 |
| Portugal | 1 |
| Romania | 1 |
| Spain | 3 |
| Sweden | 4 |
| International | 1 |
| TOTAL | 44 |
EuroNanoLab’s Mission
- Build a Europe-wide nanofabrication infrastructure capable of providing university/industrial users with manufactured nano-objects for research with the highest quality and fastest delivery time
- Work jointly with European-wide research communities (e.g. flagship or others) to support their research by anticipating the development of appropriate new technologies
Implementation of EuroNanoLab distributed infrastructure
The main tool for coordination: EuroNanoLab Central Hub
- Gathers partners to make proposals & take decisions.
- Coordinates establishment of new management tools
- Coordinates access & service to users
Euronanolab distributed infrastructure
Responsibilities of EuroNanoLab Central Hub
Impact of the EuroNanoLab distributed infrastructure
More efficient use of resources
Standarisation of process documentation (references, sustainability)
Implementation of open science infrastructures
Higher publication rate
Improved Investment planning at EU level
Definition of best practices in cleanroom management and health & safety
Development of engineer competence and skills
Back-up equipment and processes
Translation of nanotechnology research into products & services in a wide range of sectors (incl. healthcare, ICT & novel materials)
Innovation potential will generate new startup companies & new jobs
Education of society on nanotechnology
Accelerating research by faster access to process know-how
Development of new technologies
Lower barriers to entry into nanofabrication
Best in-class e-learning material
EURONANOLAB’S main KPIs
EuroNanoLab Governance
At the moment, the main governance body of EuroNanoLab is its steering committee, composed of representatives of EuroNanoLab nodes. It meets regularly to improve EuroNanoLab’s organization at European level. In 2019 it is composed of 16 members.
EuroNanoLab steering committee meeting, Delft. (NL), December 2019
Endorsement from ENL institutions
EuroNanoLab in Media
Building a Europe-wide nanofabrication infrastructure capable of providing university/industrial users with nano-manufactured objects with the highest quality and fastest delivery time.
Work jointly with European-wide research projects (e.g. flagship or similar projects) to support research with appropriate technological developments.
International Cooperation
