From 24th to 28th May 2010 the 33rd International Convention MIPRO 2010 was held in Opatija. The topic of Round table held on 27th May was: Nanotechnology – new challenge for the Republic of Croatia.

The discussion was intended for people who make strategical decisions about economy and science, scientists and experts in the field of natural and technical science as well as technologists in industry. Prof. Sandra Bischof Vukusic, coordinator of the FP7-REGPOT-2008-1 project funded within the FP7 topic Nanoscience, nanotechnologies, materials and new productional technologies, took a part as one of the keynote speakers of the Round table.

 

Round table Nanotechnology – new challenge for the Republic of Croatia

Chairman: Prof. Mile Ivanda, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb

Keynote speakers:

Stjepan Car, the President of the Board of Koncar-Electrical Engineering Institute, Emira Bečić, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, Svetozar Musić, the Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Sandra Bischof Vukušić, University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology, Milorad Milun, Institute of Physics, Saša Zelenika, University of Rijeka Faculty of Engineering, Vladimir Mitsa, University of Uzghorod, Ukraine, Dubravko Babić, Etanvie Technologies, USA, Petar Biljanović, University of Zagreb Faculty of electrical engineering and computing and Croatian Society for Information and Communication Technology, Electronics and Microelectronics – MIPRO.

The aim of the Meeting:

The term nanotechnology refers to the understanding, application and controlling the properties of matter at the scale dimension between 1 and 100 nanometers. In the past decade we have witnessed an unexpected technological advancement of new materials whose properties are largely derived from the new quantum-mechanical effects, resulting in new products and technologies.
New ceramics, polymers, metal alloys, and bio-hybrid materials have substantially contributed to improving the quality of life through new and better products and services, enabling the creation of wealth and employment. Research in the field of new nanostructured materials is more challenging than ever for the Republic of Croatia.
Nanotechnologies based on them have great potential to develop products with high added value, which is a prerequisite for sustainable and competitive development in the framework of the European Union.

Roundtable should provide answers to some of the following questions:

  • What are the weaknesses and what is the power of exploring the field of nanotechnology in Croatia?
  • What are the needs and possibilities of Croatia?
  • What are the challenges for future industry based on nanotechnologies?
  • Shall we be able to direct efficiently adequate resources for research and development? What needs to be done to ensure sustainable development and production in the field of nanotechnology?
  • What is the role of the state of acceptance and development of nanotechnology?
  • Do nano-technological materials of the future already exist?

 

The competent speakers, who had been engaged in the research, development and application of nanotechnology for many years, tried to give answers on many questions raised from the discussion.

Introduction part (links):