European micro-nano group seeks input

Oct. 26, 2011—MINAM, a European Web-based initiative to support micro- and nanomanufacturing efforts, is conducting an online survey of industry and research stakeholders.

Results from the survey will pave the way for a "second generation of a highly effective, application-oriented MicroNano Manufacturing community in Europe," according to the group's Web site located here. This is an opportunity for all users and manufacturers of micro and nano technology to express their interest in this growing area of the market, and "your feedback will build the cornerstone for MINAM to prepare the 'Horizon 2020' framework."

The survey, which is located here, is a followup to the group's 2008-2009 survey. MINAM 2008/2009 received more than 220 participants—120 from industry—from 29 countries, and was the start of a series of activities aimed at addressing challenges facing the market, such as competition from countries with low-cost labor.

"Innovation by implementing micro and nano technologies in future products is one of the most efficient ways to face this competitive context," the MINAM site explains. The group intends to gather a critical mass of research organizations and industrial stakeholders with complimentary expertise in order to promote industrial innovation in Europe and gain new market shares on the global market. Therefore the vision of MINAM is to identify and reduce the barriers for faster industrial applications in new knowledge-intensive and emerging industries."