Nanotechnology in Austria

Nanotechnology is considered a key-technology of the 21th century. There are manifold possibilities of usage, which have to be considered for their chances, risks and feasibility.

Scientists, as much as businesses, work on research, development and realization of new products, which are essential to the economic development of Austria.

Many industrial countries support nanotechnology through their own FHI-programs and strategies. With the publication of the EU-HLG expert paper "Key Enabling Technologies" (KET), the meaning of nanotechnology for the competition of Europe and the solution of societal challenge is clearly accentuated and is, - along sides other KETs like Micro- and Nano electronics, biotechnology, photonics, materials science and production engineering, an integral component of European research politics.   

In Austria, there is also the "Austrian plan of action for Nanotechnology" (in German) of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (, which states on this complex and extensive topic:

 "How can the chances nanotechnology is presenting for Austria be employed in the best possible way, for example, the environment and power engineering for resource-saving products or small- and middle-sized enterprises (SMEs)? What can Austria contribute, to guarantee the safety of nanotechnology appliances? These central questions are answered by the present Austrian plan of action for Nanotechnology."

In the framework of this plan of action, the Austrian government vows to specifically support nanotechnology.

The agendas of the precedent Austrian NANO Initiative shall be continued through the activities of the newly initiated NanoNET Austria.