Nano established its position in Finland  through active cooperation  

15.11.2010

The Finnish innovation system has succeeded well in its efforts to translate the results of nanotechnological research into practice, even though business companies outside the nano sector have not yet fully recognised the potential offered by nano products.

A recent evaluation carried out by Gaia Consulting assessed the impacts of four different Finnish programmes focused on nanotechnology and nanoscience. The programmes were funded and administrated by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, the Academy of Finland, and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. The aim of the programmes was to complement and support each other and, through mutual cooperation, to help prevent overlapping activities.

The cooperation between public-sector funding agencies has previously been mostly occasional and based mainly on active personal involvement. In their report, the evaluators therefore propose that the cooperation now established in the nano sector be further encouraged between future funding agency programmes.

The evaluation noted that the nano programmes have facilitated the development of transdisciplinary approaches and the establishment of research teams that could not have been set up through any other funding schemes. The programmes and their mutual cooperation have even kept the Finnish nano sector alive, the report states.

According to the evaluation, the Academy of Finland Research Programme on Nanoscience (FinNano) has been of vital importance to Finnish research in the field. Within the FinNano programme, funding was provided to consortia comprising several teams, which facilitated the implementation of multidisciplinary research collaboration and extensive research plans. Nevertheless, the evaluation also noted that the funding received by individual teams had remained at a relatively low level as the total funding volume had to be distributed among several different actors.

Potential of nanotechnology not recognised

The key problem still faced by the field is that there are not enough business companies that fully recognise the potential of nanotechnology. ‘Nano’ as the common denominator and as nano companies’ own business is losing its significance, the report says. In the future, nanoscience and nanotechnology should be only one method among all other methods when scientists and business companies seek to respond to the challenges they will face. Nanotechnology makes it possible to manufacture e.g. increasingly smaller and more efficient electronic devices and more durable and better-quality materials. Significant novel applications are also expected to be launched in medicine.

The report further recommends that the Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation take on a stronger role with a view to boosting – and particularly to increasing the introduction of – Finnish nano expertise and know-how. Two of these Centres could – supported by funding from Tekes and the Academy of Finland – include nanotechnology research and development as part of their operations.

Through the national programmes, Finnish nano experts have established active international contacts and gained international exposure. The evaluators recommend that this international ‘Nanotech Finland’ brand be further fostered through cooperation between Tekes, the Academy of Finland and the network of the nanotechnology cluster of the OSKE Centre of Expertise Programme.

The report is available in PDF format at www.tekes.fi/u/Nano_arviointi.pdf.