13/04/2005

An important effort towards the development and technological and economic exploitation of Greek scientific capital in the area of micro- and nanotechnology is the establishment of Micro&Nano, a society legally structured as a not-for-profit non-governmental civil corporation with headquarters at the Institute of Microelectronics, at the National Centre for Scientific Research "DEMOKRITOS".

The corporation was established by the Institute of Microelectronics of the National Centre for Scientific Research "DEMOKRITOS", the Microelectronics Laboratory of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), the "HELP-FORWARD" Network, the Surface Science Laboratory of the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Patras, the Electronics Applications Laboratory of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Technology Department and the Molecular and Supramolecular Nanofunctional Materials Programme of the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the National Centre for Scientific Research "DEMOKRITOS". Its founding members are 65 Greek scientists, and all scientists working in the field of micro- and nanotechnology may become members.

The aim of Micro&Nano is to promote micro- and nanotechnology (science, materials, technologies, electronic devices, circuits and systems), and broaden co-operation among research centres, universities and industry for an inter-disciplinary approach to the field.

As part of its basic activities, the corporation undertakes studies on subjects of micro- and nanotechnology, with the possibility of collaborating with related societies or organisations in Greece and abroad, organises events on the national level, represents Greece in international organisations and conferences, implements educational and training programmes and promotes the popularisation of knowledge for the purpose of building public awareness.

It also plans to develop research programmes in the areas of micro- and nanotechnology, and create a system for the organisation, research and promotion of research findings.