FLANDERS NANO BIO ALLIANCE
Reaching out to research, business and society
A growing community
The Partners of FNBA are Flemish enterprises, centers and network
organizations that are actively supporting the objectives of FNBA.
In addition, Flanders Nano Bio Alliance is connected with
like-minded organizations in the world. We are currently
expanding this network create more cross-boundary synergies.
organizations that are actively supporting the objectives of FNBA.
In addition, Flanders Nano Bio Alliance is connected with
like-minded organizations in the world. We are currently
expanding this network create more cross-boundary synergies.
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Global research alliance
The rapid evolution of technologies such as nanoelectronics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, [nano-]materials research and broadband
communications technologies, are startling. The emergence of quantum physics and the upcome of molecular biology, biotechnology and
biomedical disciplines led to numerous applications that boosted both our welfare and well-being in the 20th century.
This is nothing whatsoever when compared to what is going to happen in this century. The emerging technologies mentioned above are
only now starting to unleash their full potential. Especially when combined.
The true revolution in the 21st century will lie in the convergence of these technologies into new concepts, materials, structures, devices,
systems and applications, useful for our daily life, our productivity, our health, our mobility, the preservation of Earth, etc.
Yet, at the same time, entering this fascinating, often "nano" world requires huge efforts in research and development to be undertaken.
Already today, R&D costs in the semiconductor industry reach 15% of sales, targeting 40% by 2020! Fortunately, this industry has not been
desillusioned by this, and decided to join forces already more than a decade ago. This became visible in bundling forces in manufacturing
first (joint fabs, e.g. Dresden), later on in development of IC production processes (e.g. Crolles Alliance) and recently also in research (e.g.
IMEC).
IMEC, as a global research platform, aims to put its experience to the local and international communities in the field of cooperation in
research and development, and the transfer of know-how into new economic opportunities. At IMEC, we aim to stimulate a positive
atmosphere fostering open innovation in all its facets, technological as well as business, including a POSITIVE CLIMATE where people find
each other to create new opportunities.
Outreach
Science and technology are an integral part of our society. Very often, it is perceived as a special or peculiar activity, governed by
academia, highly-educated people who reside in chambers to form some kind of elite. The result of this perception is that science and
technology are treated too often as an issue separated from our daily life, at least, that is what people perceive from it.
Strangely enough, science and technology has always been around, from the very beginning of our existence on earth. Today, this has
become increasingly important, if not crucial, as, state-of-the-art technology is entering the dimensions of the fundamental building blocks
of nature and life (the nano scale) (i), and, as on the other hand, technological applications are increasingly overwhelmingly around us (ii)
(we are only at the beginning).
As technology has and will always be an integral part of our society, everyone should be scientifically and technologically litterate.
This vision statement is detailed as followed:
1. everyone should feel at ease with new technology-based products and services.
2. everyone needs to make well-thought choices when purchasing or using (nano-)technology applications.
3. we live in a democracy and everyone should realize why our society invests in scientific and technological research.
4. everyone, as parent or grandparent, takes part in the education of their children and grandchildren, and as such has a responsibility
towards future generations.
5. getting to know science and technology is crucial to create opportunities in tomorrow’s society, especially for youngsters.
We aim to contribute to the scientific and technologic litteracy in Flanders and the rest of the world, building on IMEC’s unique characteristics
as global center of excellence:
1. show the societal relevance of science and technology to the broad public (community) in an attractive way;
2. show the economic opportunities and leverage effects of science and technology to industry;
3. stimulate researchers in exciting scientific and technological domains;
4. stimulate interest of the general public, and in particular youngsters, for S&T.
The rapid evolution of technologies such as nanoelectronics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, [nano-]materials research and broadband
communications technologies, are startling. The emergence of quantum physics and the upcome of molecular biology, biotechnology and
biomedical disciplines led to numerous applications that boosted both our welfare and well-being in the 20th century.
This is nothing whatsoever when compared to what is going to happen in this century. The emerging technologies mentioned above are
only now starting to unleash their full potential. Especially when combined.
The true revolution in the 21st century will lie in the convergence of these technologies into new concepts, materials, structures, devices,
systems and applications, useful for our daily life, our productivity, our health, our mobility, the preservation of Earth, etc.
Yet, at the same time, entering this fascinating, often "nano" world requires huge efforts in research and development to be undertaken.
Already today, R&D costs in the semiconductor industry reach 15% of sales, targeting 40% by 2020! Fortunately, this industry has not been
desillusioned by this, and decided to join forces already more than a decade ago. This became visible in bundling forces in manufacturing
first (joint fabs, e.g. Dresden), later on in development of IC production processes (e.g. Crolles Alliance) and recently also in research (e.g.
IMEC).
IMEC, as a global research platform, aims to put its experience to the local and international communities in the field of cooperation in
research and development, and the transfer of know-how into new economic opportunities. At IMEC, we aim to stimulate a positive
atmosphere fostering open innovation in all its facets, technological as well as business, including a POSITIVE CLIMATE where people find
each other to create new opportunities.
Outreach
Science and technology are an integral part of our society. Very often, it is perceived as a special or peculiar activity, governed by
academia, highly-educated people who reside in chambers to form some kind of elite. The result of this perception is that science and
technology are treated too often as an issue separated from our daily life, at least, that is what people perceive from it.
Strangely enough, science and technology has always been around, from the very beginning of our existence on earth. Today, this has
become increasingly important, if not crucial, as, state-of-the-art technology is entering the dimensions of the fundamental building blocks
of nature and life (the nano scale) (i), and, as on the other hand, technological applications are increasingly overwhelmingly around us (ii)
(we are only at the beginning).
As technology has and will always be an integral part of our society, everyone should be scientifically and technologically litterate.
This vision statement is detailed as followed:
1. everyone should feel at ease with new technology-based products and services.
2. everyone needs to make well-thought choices when purchasing or using (nano-)technology applications.
3. we live in a democracy and everyone should realize why our society invests in scientific and technological research.
4. everyone, as parent or grandparent, takes part in the education of their children and grandchildren, and as such has a responsibility
towards future generations.
5. getting to know science and technology is crucial to create opportunities in tomorrow’s society, especially for youngsters.
We aim to contribute to the scientific and technologic litteracy in Flanders and the rest of the world, building on IMEC’s unique characteristics
as global center of excellence:
1. show the societal relevance of science and technology to the broad public (community) in an attractive way;
2. show the economic opportunities and leverage effects of science and technology to industry;
3. stimulate researchers in exciting scientific and technological domains;
4. stimulate interest of the general public, and in particular youngsters, for S&T.
