Feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme

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Feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme
3. Materials technology abroad: co-operation and competition
Energy
Knowledge and ability to adopt functional materials and nanotechnology enable success in various
energy technologies such as solar, wind, hydrogen technology, batteries, fuel cells and environmentally
friendly gas technology
Building and construction
Main value added is based on utilisation of locally available raw materials
Oil and gas
The country has a very strong position in offshore engineering and other related technologies
ICT
Success based on knowledge in specific niche areas: integration of advanced functional materials and
silicon nanotechnology
Based on the strategy studies, Norway established a NANOMAT programme for nanotechnology and new
materials, nanoscience and integration. For the period of 2007-2016, the programme focuses in four thematic
areas in the following priority order: 1) energy and environment, 2) ICT including microsystems, 3)
health and biotechnology, 4) ocean and food. By 2016, the annual budget of the NANOMAT programme
is expected to reach approximately 30 million EUR. The sub areas under the selected priority areas are strikingly
similar to Estonian competences:
Energy and environment
Gas conversion, CO2 capture, petroleum production, solar panels, hydrogen technology, batteries and
energy harvesters, energy efficiency, biofuels
ICT inclusive microsystems:
Nanomaterials and nanocomponents for electronics, data storage, optics, sensors, actuators and RF
components, integration of nanomaterials into sensors and actuators, nanostructuring, nanofluidics
Health and biotechnology
Biocompatible materials, sensors and diagnostics, medication
Ocean and food
Tracing of food, smart packaging, food monitoring, surface treatment to prevent algal and bacterial
growth
It is clearly identified that future success in advanced materials requires high degree of interdisciplinary collaboration
and convergence in various disciplines including: physics, materials science and technology, chemistry
and biochemistry, molecular and cellular technology, optics, surface science, microelectronics and scientific
instrumentation. Thus, in addition to the selected thematic areas, success in materials technology needs strong
support from fundamental sciences as well as expertise in modern tools including synthesis, manipulation and
fabrication, characterisation and modelling.
3.2.6 Denmark
Denmark became more active in materials research long time ago when the government decided to establish
National Research Strategies in selected key areas important for the Danish society and economy. The country
had Materials Technology Programmes ongoing from 1988 to 1997 and in 1999 The Danish National Strategy
for Materials Research was created. The country spent 300 million DKK (40 MEUR) and 500 person years in
materials research and development already in 1995 and by 1997 the amount of funding had almost doubled
to 900 million DKK. The reason for selecting materials technology as a strategic area was that materials affect
the development within all other technological or scientific areas.
The goals for the National Research Strategy in materials defined in 1999 were:
Technological innovation and increased employment
Materials research is often a prerequisite for progress in other technological areas
Improvements in the quality of life, the environment and health
Materials strongly contribute to improving the quality of life
Higher quality of education, and accelerated production and dissemination of knowledge
To maintain the high quality of Danish materials research