Posted: September 14, 2007

NanoEurope 2007 closes its doors after three days

(Nanowerk News) NanoEurope 2007 closed its doors on Thursday, 13 September, after three days of trade show and conferences. The professional audience benefited from the unique platform, which promotes applications of nanotechnology in the leading-edge industries of textiles, plastics, packaging, and solar and medical technology. A total of approx. 3,500 visitors were recorded. The International Dye Solar Cell Conference, held for the first time during the NanoEurope, received a very good response.
NanoEurope was again able to attract a specialist global audience this year, with over 1,000 trade visitors from over 40 countries. Current applications, trends and future applications in five key branches – textiles, medical technology, dye solar cells and the packaging and plastics industries – were presented at the trade show and in symposiums. In all these areas the NanoEurope not only communicates the latest research results to a professional audience, but also a wealth of experience gathered during project realisation thanks to its industrial focus. For first time this year, an Innovation Forum was organised, in order to network participants from industry and research even better. Research institutes and companies use this contact platform to present their competences and find suitable cooperation partners.
In tune with the times
That the organisers of this year’s NanoEurope had hit the right tone was shown by the high participation in the International Conference on the Industrialisation of Dye Solar Cells (DSC), amongst other things. Andreas Luzzi, professor at the polytechnic Rapperswil and chairman of the DSCconference, presented his thesis that pigment solar cells are on the brink of making their industrial breakthrough. The first time decision to hold the DSC-conference during the NanoEurope, was a complete success from the organisers’ point of view, and created a win-win situation. This year's NanoEurope also addressed a topical theme with the international NanoRegulation Conference, as the use of nanotechnology in consumer products is of increasing concern to end-consumers.
Large future potential
Nevertheless, trade-fair manager Nicole Friedli had a more mixed evaluation of this year's NanoEurope. With the professional trade conferences, the fair was still on the road to success, since the number of participants could be further increased in comparison to last year. The fact that, according to a visitor survey, 87% of the visitors judged the NanoEurope as good or even very good, and that the majority of the participants felt that their areas of interest were covered either well or very well was also grounds for satisfaction. However, on the exhibitors’ side it became clear that the many companies’ nano-products are not yet ready to be marketed. Nonetheless, the organisers were convinced that prospects for product development remain intact. Data from the European Patent Office shows that the number of registered patents in the field of nanotechnology is currently on the rise.
NanoPubli attracts public
Parallel to the professional trade fair, the NanoPubli was also held in the Olma Halls this year. This special exhibition does not primarily target the international trade audience, but rather the technically-interested public, and could book some 2,500 visitors. This year, the NanoPubli was organised around the motto «Nanotechnology for everyday life». In different expositions and talks held by reputable speakers, products in which nanotechnology is already being used were presented. For example, a demonstration was held to show how nanotechnology could soon be used to treat brain tumours, or how nanotechnology-based holograms can provide a better defence against forgery of bank notes. However, the special exhibition addressed not only opportunities but also risks. The special exhibition NanoPubli appealed to a wide public. A large number of teachers even integrated visits to the NanoPubli in their curricula.
The next NanoEurope will be held from 16 to 18 September 2008, again in St.Gallen.
Source: Pressebox St. Gallen