Nanotechnology in Europe: scientific trends and organizational dynamics

We give evidence on how closely different areas of research in the nanometre range are integrated and on what established and new networks and research programmes at EU level may contribute to the further development of the nanosciences. A Delphi study, participant observation, interviews and informal contacts form the basis of this empirical and sociological study. The analysis shows that the invention of scanning probe techniques and other nanotools is entering a variety of areas of research, which are largely unrelated. The EU networks and research programmes present in the selection environment stimulate the emergence of nanotechnology as one among several technologies which use nanotools, are based on nanometre-long structures and utilize properties which can only be made at a nanoscale.