This second version of the report “Nanoscience & Nanotechnology in Spain” provides insights by identifying R&D directions and priorities in Spain. Moreover, it aims to be a valid source of guidance, not only for the scientific community but also for the industry. This report covers a wide range of interdisciplinary areas of research and development, such as Graphene, Nanochemistry, Nanomedicine, Carbon Nanotubes, Nanomaterials for Energy, Modelling, etc., and provides insights in these areas, currently very active worldwide and particularly in Spain. It also provides an outlook of the entire Spanish nanotechnology system, including nearly 250 research institutions and over 50 companies. Expected impact of initiative s suc h a s this document is to enhance visibility, ommunication and networking between specialists in several fields, facilitate rapid information flow, look for areas of common ground between different technologies and therefore shape and consolidate the Spanish and European research communities.

2. Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology
in SPAIN
Funded by In collaboration with Coordinated and edited by

3. Coordinator
Antonio Correia (Phantoms Foundation)
Design and Layout
Carmen Chacón (Phantoms Foundation)
Viviana Estêvão (Phantoms Foundation)
Maite Fernández (Phantoms Foundation)
Concepción Narros (Phantoms Foundation)
José Luis Roldán (Phantoms Foundation)
Experts
Adrian Bachtold - Carbon nanotubes and Graphene
Fundació Privada Institut Català de Nanotecnologia (ICN), Barcelona
Antonio Correia - Introduction - Preface
Phantoms Foundation and NanoSpain Network Coordinator, Madrid
Viviana Estêvão - Introduction
Phantoms Foundation, Madrid
Ricardo García - Scanning Probe Microscopy
Instituto de Microelectrónica de Madrid (IMM-CNM, CSIC), Madrid
Francisco Guinea - Carbon nanotubes and Graphene
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM, CSIC), Madrid
Wolfgang Maser - Carbon nanotubes and Graphene
Instituto de Carboquímica (ICB, CSIC), Zaragoza
Rodolfo Miranda - Nanomaterials
IMDEA: Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Nanosciences (Imdea Nanociencia)
Xavier Obradors - Nanomaterials for Energy
Materials Science Institute of Barcelona, Barcelona
Roberto Otero - Nanomaterials
IMDEA: Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Nanosciences (Imdea Nanociencia)
Francesc Pérez-Murano - Nanoelectronics and Molecular Electronics
Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Barcelona
Emilio Prieto - Nanometrology, nano-eco-toxicology and standardization
Spanish Centre of Metrology (CEM), Madrid
Stephan Roche - Carbon nanotubes and Graphene
Centre d’ Investigació en Nanociencia y Nanotecnología (CIN2, ICN-CSIC), Barcelona
Juan José Sáenz - Theory and Simulation
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid
Josep Samitier - Nanomedicine
Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and Universitat of Barcelona, Barcelona
Pedro A. Serena - Introduction
Instituto de Ciencias de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), Madrid
Niek van Hulst - Nanooptics and Nanophotonics
The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Barcelona
Jaume Veciana - Nanochemistry
Instituto de Ciencia Materiales de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Barcelona
Disclaimer
The Phantoms Foundation has exercised due diligence in the preparation and reporting of information contained in this
book, obtaining information from reliable sources.
The contents/opinions expressed in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect views of the Phantoms
Foundation.

4. C O N T E N T S
05 Preface
07 Introduction
19 Nanoscience & Nanotecnology in Spain: Research Topics
19
27
37
45
59
67
81
89
95
105
113 Emerging N&N Centers in Spain
113
114
116
117
119
120
123
124
126
129
130 Annex I: Spanish Nanotechnology Network (NanoSpain) / Statistics
144 Annex II: R&D funding
148 Annex III: Publications / Statistics
152 Annex IV: Spain Nanotechnology Companies (Catalogue)
156 Annex V: NanoSpain Conferences
160 Annex VI: Maps for relevant Spanish Initiatives

5. 4

6. PREFACE
Considering the fast and continuous technologies and therefore shape and
evolvements in the interdisciplinary field of consolidate the Spanish and European research
Nanotechnology, Institutions such as the communities.
Phantoms Foundation and national initiatives
such as the Spanish Nanotechnology Network I hope you will enjoy reading this document, a
“NanoSpain”, should help identifying and collection of ten chapters written by researchers
monitoring the new emerging fields of research, who are at the forefront of their field in N&N,
drivers of interest for this Community, in and look forward to the next edition beginning
particular in Spain. of 2013 which will explore some new strategic
research areas.
Therefore, this second version of the report
“Nanoscience & Nanotechnology in Spain” I would also like to thank all the authors and
provides insights by identifying R&D directions reviewers for turning this project into reality.
and priorities in Spain. Moreover, it aims to be a
valid source of guidance, not only for the
scientific community but also for the industry.
The Editor
This report covers a wide range of interdisciplinary Dr. Antonio Correia
areas of research and development, such as Phantoms Foundation
Graphene, Nanochemistry, Nanomedicine, Carbon (Madrid, Spain)
Nanotubes, Nanomaterials for Energy, Modelling,
etc., and provides insights in these areas, currently
very active worldwide and particularly in Spain. It
also provides an outlook of the entire Spanish
nanotechnology system, including nearly 250
research institutions and over 50 companies.
Expected impact of initiatives such as this
document is to enhance visibility, communication
and networking between specialists in several
fields, facilitate rapid information flow, look for
areas of common ground between different
5

7. > ANTONIO CORREIA
Place and date of birth
Paris (France), 1966
Education
PhD in Materials Science, Universidad Paris 7, 1993
Experience
Antonio Correia has over 15 years’ experience with projects and initiatives related with Nanoscience and Nanotechnology networking. He is
author or co-author of 60 scientific papers in international journals and guest Editor of several books. Antonio Correia is currently President
of the Phantoms Foundation (Spain) and Coordinator/Board member of several EU funded projects (nanoICT, AtMol, MULT-EU-SIM, nanoCODE,
nanomagma, COST “BioInspired Nanotechnologies”) or initiatives (NanoSpain, M4nano, ICEX Spanish Nanotechnology plan, etc.). Chairman
of several conferences (TNT, Nanospain, Imaginenano or Graphene), he is also editor of the Enano newsletter published by the Phantoms
Foundation.
antonio@phantomsnet.net
> VIVIANA ESTÊVÃO
Place and date of birth
Caldas da Rainha (Portugal), 1982
Education
• Degree in Public Relations & Advertising, INP, 2004.
• Master Degree in Digital Marketing, EUDE.
Experience
Works at Phantoms Foundation since January 2010 after a long period working in United
Kingdom and Portugal as Marketing Researcher & Communications Account within a
broad range of sectors & clients.
viviana@phantomsnet.net
> PEDRO A. SERENA
Place and date of birth
Madrid (Spain), 1962
Education
• Degree in Physical Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid,
1985
• PhD in Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 1990
Experience
Researcher at the Madrid Materials Science Institute (ICMM) of
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). His research interests
include the theoretical study of mechanical and electrical
properties of nanosized and low-dimensional systems (metallic
surfaces, clusters and nanowires, viral capsids, etc). He is co-
author of 125 articles published in international and national
journals covering different topics: basic science, scientific
dissemination, scientific policy, technologies convergence,
prospective studies, sustainable development, etc. He has been
editor of the book “Nanowires” (Kluwer,1997), and co-author of
the “Unidad Didáctica sobre Nanotecnología” (FECyT, Spain, 2009)
and author of the book “¿Qué sabemos de la nanotecnología?”
(CSIC-La Catarata, 2010). He was coordinator (2000-2003) of the
Nanoscience Network and co-founder and co-coordinator (2000-2005)
of the NanoSpain Network. Since 2002 to 2005 he was Deputy Director
of the ICMM . From 2007 he has been working as Advisor/Assistant of
the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation to manage the Strategic
Action in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.From 2006 is secretary of the
Scientific Advisory Board of the Madrid Science Park and from 2010 is member
of the CSIC Scientific Advisory Committee.
pedro.serena@icmm.csic.es
6

8. INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction existent to being object of extensive articles and
reports in scientific and non-scientific journals,
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (N&N) have as well as to be a favorite discussion topic in web
become a rapidly growing research and pages, forums and blogs in Internet.
development (R&D) field that is cutting across
many traditional research topics. Nowadays the When we speak about social impact, we are
ability to construct nano-objects and nano- referring to the capacity of Nanotechnology to
devices provides novel advanced materials and generate applications and devices that will
astonishing devices and will lead to the future induce true changes in our daily life, our jobs, our
development of fully functional nano-machines homes, our health, etc. N&N will fundamentally
and nano-materials, virtually having an effect on restructure the technologies currently used for
every manufactured product, the production and manufacturing, medicine, security, defence,
storage of energy, and providing a host of medical energy production and storage, environmental
applications ranging from in situ and real time management, transportation, communication,
diagnostics to tissue regeneration. N&N are more computation and education. Given the
than simply the next frontier in miniaturization, multidisciplinary character of N&N, the list of
since the properties of materials and devices expected application areas is very long.
dramatically change when their characteristic
dimensions moves down the nanoscale, revealing The broad scope of N&N applications will affect
an entirely new world of possibilities. different aspects of the activity of human beings.
Nevertheless, we can highlight that many of
2. Potential nanotechnology applications and these applications are focused on the
their social impact improvement of human health, whereas others
will facilitate a more sustainable economic
The evaluation of the expected impact of a development allowing the optimization of
technology wave is always an uncertain business. resources and diminishing environmental impact.
Yet there seems little doubt that the very nature
of nanotechnology will precipitate important 3. Nanotechnology Research Funding
changes, the only question is its timetable. In the
case of N&N, perhaps, the first measurable Nanoscience, transformed in Nanotechnology, is
impact has been its effect on the media. In a taking now its first steps outside the laboratories
decade everything 'nano' has gone from non- and many small and large companies are
7

9. N & N i n S p a i n
launching a first wave of nanoproducts into the control of Nanotechnology know-how. According
markets. However, the actual power of to Mihail Roco, Japan increased their budget
Nanotechnology resides in an immense potential from US$ 245 million in 2000 to US$ 950 million
for the manufacture of consumer goods that, in in 2009, proving a significant rising of the
many cases, will not be commercialized before a investment from the Japanese Government.
couple of decades, thus bringing tangible and Taiwanese, Japanese and South Korean
promising results for the economy. Because this companies are leading the Nanotechnology
INTRODUCTION
huge expected economic impact, investments in their respective countries. In the
nanotechnology has roused great interest among meantime, China has become a key player in the
the relevant public and private R&D stakeholders Nanotechnology field, leading sectors as the
of the world’s most developed countries: funding fabrication of nanoparticles and nanomaterials.
agencies, scientific policymakers, organisations, Countries as Israel, Iran, India, Singapore,
institutions and companies. Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have launched
specific programmes to promote the use of
N&N represent one of the fastest growing areas Nanotechnologies in many industrial sectors with
of R&D. In the period of 1997-2005 worldwide local or regional impact (manufacture, textile,
investment in Nanotechnology research and wood, agriculture, water remediation, etc).
development has increased approximately nine
times, from US$ 432 million to US$ 4200 million. Europe has intensively promoted
This represents an average annual growth rate of Nanotechnology within the VI (FP6) and the VII
32%. A great example is the National (FP7) Framework Programme through thematic
Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) that was Areas denominated NMP1 and ICT2. During the
established in 2000 and links 25 federal agencies period of 2003-2006 the budget for NMP was
closely related to activities in N&N. NNI budget 1429 million Euros and a remarkable increase of
allocated to the federal departments and agencies 3475 million Euros for funding N&N over the
increased from US$ 464 million in 2001 to duration of FP7 (2007-2013). There’s a proven
approximately US$ 1700 million in 2009. For 2011 commitment of the EU to strengthen research in
the funding request for nanotechnology research Europe. Initiatives involving not only increased
and development (R&D) in 15 federal investment, but also stronger coordination and
departments and agencies is US$ 1760 million, collaboration between all stakeholders like the
reflecting a continuous growth in strategic FET flagship (ICT) are being implemented. In
collaboration to accelerate the discovery and order to improve the competitiveness of
deployment of nanotechnology. In addition to the European industry, to generate and ensure
federal initiative, an important effort has been transformation from a resource-intensive to a
carried out by the different US state governments, knowledge-intensive industry were created the
as well as companies (Motorola, Intel, Hewlett- FET Flagships Initiatives. FET-Proactive acts as a
Packard, IBM, Amgen, Abbot Lab., Agilent, etc). pathfinder for the ICT program by fostering
novel non-conventional approaches,
Industrialized Asian countries have promoted foundational research and supporting initial
the development of Nanotechnology from the developments on long-term research and
industrial and governmental sectors, with technological innovation in selected themes.
investments similar to those of USA. Countries Under the FP7 program were created AMOL-IT,
as Taiwan and Korea have made a great effort to nanoICT and Towards Zero-Power ICT projects in
keep their current privileged positions in the order to focus resources on visionary and
8

10. N & N i n S p a i n
challenging long-term goals that are timely and coordinates NANO measures on the national
have strong potential for future impact. There and regional levels and is supported by several
has been a boom of European initiatives Ministries, Federal provinces and Funding
dedicated to develop and popularize institutions, under the overall control of the
Nanotechnology and this area maintains its BMVIT Federal Ministry for Transport,
outstanding role in the FP7 Program. Innovation and Technology. The orientation and
the structure of the Austrian NANO Initiative
INTRODUCTION
Among the EU members, Germany stands right have been developed jointly with scientists,
at the forefront of international Nanoscience entrepreneurs and intermediaries. The Austrian
and is considered as a key location for nano NANO Initiative4 has funded nine RTD project
research. The Federal Government by clusters involving more than 200 Austrian
exceptional funding programs is helping to turn companies and research institutions.
Germany into the leading nano spot. In 2008
about 430 million Euros were invested by public EU authorities have also taken into account
funding in Nanotechnology. Nowadays, around serious concerns on Nanotechnology, appearing
740 companies work on the development, in diverse social and economic forums during the
application and distribution of nanotechnology last decade, in relation with its possible
products. Following similar long term strategies, environmental and health effects. These non-
on December 2009, French Government desired drawbacks would provide a negative
unveiled a 35000 million Euros national bond to social perception on the development on
prepare France for the challenges of the future. Nanotechnology and could lead to an unexpected
The spending spree over the coming years cut of private and public investments, with the
contemplates higher education and research as subsequent delay in the arrival of the bunch of
the main priorities, among others. Part of this promised goods, devices and materials. In order
amount will be applied to create new Campus of to allow a coherent (rational, sustainable, non-
Excellence, develop research teams, boost aggressive, etc) development of Nanotechnology,
competitiveness and increase efforts in the EU has promoted basic and applied research
biotechnology and nanotechnology. The on nanoecotoxicology and different studies on
NanoNextNL3 (2011-2016) consortium in social perception on N&N. Simultaneously,
Netherlands which supports research in the field several EU Departments have launched initiatives
of nano and microtechnology is another great to improve the communication and
example of the efforts made by the European dissemination among population on the future
countries. This initiative embrace 114 partners advances and risks that Nanotechnology will
and the total sum involved is 250 million Euros, bring. A good example is the European Project
half of which is contributed by the collaboration NanoCode5, funded under the Program
of more than one hundred businesses, Capacities, in the area Science in Society, within
universities, knowledge institutes and university the 7th Framework Program (FP7) which started
medical centres and the other half by the in January 2010 in order to implement the
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and European Code of Conduct for Responsible
Innovation. NanoNextNL is the successor of Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies.
NanoNed and MicroNed programmes which
were also greatly supported. In the same line, In addition, EU has also promoted the generation
we must mention the Austrian NANO Initiative, of knowledge based on Nanotechnology
a multi-annual funding programme for N&N that emphasizing the role of this techno-scientific area
9

11. N & N i n S p a i n
as foundation for future convergence with other enabled communication between scientific
disciplines such as Biotechnology, Medicine, communities and different areas, improving the
Cognitive Science, Communications and interaction between Spanish groups and
Information Technologies, Social Sciences, etc. improving the visibility of this community.
NanoSpain network6 is the clearest example of
4. Nanotechnology in Spain: a successful history self-organization of scientists that helped to
promote to the authorities and the general public
INTRODUCTION
At the end of 90´s, Spain had not any the existence of this new knowledge, in order to
institutional framework nor initiative pointed generate and achieve competitive science, which
towards the support and promotion of R&D in can result into high value added products in the
Nanotechnology. This fact pushed the scientific near future. NanoSpain network comprises
community to promote several initiatives to nearly 300 R&D groups (See Annex I) from
strengthen research in Nanotechnology and, at universities, research centers and companies,
the same time, to raise the awareness of Public distributed throughout the country. These groups
Administration and industry about the need to respresent a research task force formed by more
support this emergent field. than 2000 scientists working in N&N. Despite
being the meeting point of the continuously
Among the initiatives that emerged in Spain in increasing Spanish nanotechnology community,
this last decade we can highlight the creation of NanoSpain network has received little support
several thematic networks with a strong from Spanish Administration in contrast to those
multidisciplinary character. These networks have networks established in other countries.
Figure 1. Regional Distribution of research groups – NanoSpain Network. (As of March 31, 2010).
10

12. N & N i n S p a i n
Another Spanish initiative, which emerged from scale initiatives as the building of new R&D
the scientific community and has become an centers or public-private consortia and platforms.
international benchmark, is the celebration of
eleven consecutive editions of the conference The International Campus of Excellence program
"Trends in Nanotechnology"7. These meetings, was discussed in 2008, first staged competitively
a true showcase of Spanish nanoscience and in 2009 and in 2010 became firmly established
nanotechnology, attracted the most prestigious and aims to put major Spanish universities among
INTRODUCTION
international researchers, improving the the best in Europe, promoting international
visibility of Spanish scientists. The international recognition and supporting the strengths of the
event, ImagineNano8, is also a step further, a Spanish university system. The program is
meeting that gather nearly 1500 participants managed by the Ministry of Education in
from all over the world, combining within the collaboration with other ministries and supported
same initiative a set of high impact conferences by the Autonomous Communities. In many cases,
and an industry exhibition with more than 160 as the Excellence Campus of Universidad
institutions/companies. Autónoma de Madrid or the Universidad
Autónoma de Barcelona include remarkable
In early 2003 the initiatives launched by the activities related to the promotion of N&N.
scientific community (networks, workshops,
conferences) related to nanotechnology led to the Under the policies of the General State
incorporation of the Strategic Action in Administration (GSA), the Ingenio 2010 program
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in the National through programs such as CENIT, CONSOLIDER
Plan R+D+I for the 2004-2007 period. This and AVANZA, allowed many economic resources
Strategic Action has had its continuity in the in strategic areas such as nanotechnology.
current National Plan (2008-2011), also including Currently, 8 CONSOLIDER and 9 CENIT projects
topics related to new materials and production are related to nanotechnology, with a total GSA
technologies. Both strategic actions maintained an funding of 37.9 and 127.8 million Euros,
increasing rate of investment in nanotechnology respectively. In the case of CENIT projects,
in the period of 2004-2009. For example, the participating companies provided an additional
effort made by the General State Administration amount of 127.8 M €. Over the next few years
(GSA) in the implementation of N&N has been we expect to see the results of these initiatives
over 82 million Euros in 2008. During the 2004- through several indicators. Another important
2007 period the Strategic Action focused on small initiative is the Biomedical Research Networking
scale projects whereas during the 2008-2011 center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and
period the funding was mainly allocated to large Nanomedicine9 (CIBER-BBN), a consortia,
created under the leadership of the “Carlos III
Health Institute” (ISCIII) to promote research
excellence in bioengineering and biomedical
imaging, biomaterials and tissue engineering and
nanomedicine, diagnosis and monitoring and
related technologies for specific treatments such
as regenerative medicine and nanotherapies.
Table 1. Fiscal effort made by Spanish government in the field of In addition to GSA strategies, the regional
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in the year 2008 (Source: Ministry governments expressed with more or less
of Science and Innovation of Spain).
11

13. N & N i n S p a i n
INTRODUCTION
Figure 2. Emerging N&N Centers in Spain.
emphasis their interest in nanotechnology, membership of other countries of Europe and
including this topic in its regional plans of R&D other regions of the world.
and encouraging the creation of new regional
networks. However, most palpable manifestation Some of the centers indicated in Fig. 2 are under
of the widespread interest in nanotechnology is construction and are expected to be fully
the establishment of new research centers as operational during the decade 2010-2020. This
joint projects of the Ministry of Science and set of centers, along with those already existing
Innovation, Autonomous Communities and in the public research organizations, the network
Universities. (See Annex VI and Fig. 2). of Singular Scientific and Technological
Infrastructures forms a system of huge potential
The International Iberian Nanotechnology forms research in nanoscience and
Laboratory10 (INL) is the result of a joint decision nanotechnology. The task of knowledge
of the Governments of Portugal and Spain, taken generation must be completed by the technology
in November 2005 whereby both countries transfer offices of universities and public research
made clear their commitment to a strong organizations, the Technology Centers, and the
cooperation in ambitious science and many Science and Technology Parks that have
technology joint ventures for the future. The been successfully implemented in Spain11. Also
new laboratory is established by Portugal and emerge thematic "nano-networks" and “nano-
Spain, but in the future will be open to the platforms” oriented to productive sectors as
12

14. N & N i n S p a i n
RENAC12 (Network for the application of designed to spread among teachers in secondary
nanotechnologies in construction and habitat and high school education along with books
materials and products), SUSCHEM13 (Spanish devoted to N&N dissemination that have been
Technology Platform on Sustainable Chemistry), recently issued. On the other hand, events as
GÉNESIS14 (Spanish Technology Platform on “Atom by Atom” or “Passion for Knowledge”
Nanotechnology and Smart Systems Integration), disclose the progresses, challenges and
NANOMED15 (Spanish Nanomedicine Platform), implications of various “nano-areas” to a broad
INTRODUCTION
MATERPLAT16 (Spanish Technological Platform on and general audience. Furthermore, initiatives as
Advanced Materials and Nanomaterials) or the SPMAGE international contest19 of SPM
Fotonica2117 (The Spanish Technology Platform of (Scanning Probe Microscopy) images or the
Photonics), among many others. exhibition “A walk around the nanoworld” are
succesful initiatives to disseminate N&N. Recently,
These strategies for generation and transfer of an Iberoamerican Network for Dissemination and
knowledge are reinforced by other Training in N&N (NANODYF)20 has been funded by
complementary activities aimed at both the the Iberoamerican Programme for Science and
internationalization of our scientific-technological Technology (CYTED) in order to promote formal
results and the dissemination of science. As an and non-formal education of N&N in
example of the internationalization, the Spanish Iberoamerican countries where more than 460
Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX), through its million people communicate in Spanish.
"Technology Plan" in Nanotechnology
(coordinated by Phantoms Foundation) One could say that in this last decade we have
encourages external promotion activities of seen an explosion of initiatives in the field of
research centers and companies, enabling the nanotechnology. All initiatives represent a clear
participation of Spain with pavilions and commitment that Spain is situated in the
informative points in several international medium term between the group of countries
exhibitions as Nanotech Japan (2008-2011), one that can lead the change towards a knowledge-
of the most important events in nanotechnology, based society. However, it is necessary to
NSTI fair (2009) in U.S. and Taiwan Nano (2010)18. maintain a constant tension to strengthen the
settlement of all initiatives. The short-term
More recently, a catalogue of N&N companies in challenge is to continue the investement,
Spain was compiled by Phantoms Foundation and despite being in an economic crisis, and improve
funded by ICEX and gives a general overview of coordination of all players involved in the R+D+I.
the enterprises working in this field. Since the The next decade will confirm whether efforts
year of 2000 until 2010, were created 36 have been sufficient to be amongst the most
companies mainly in nanomaterials, advanced economies, fulfilling the expectations
nanocomposites, nanobio and nanoparticles. So for nanotechnology as an engine of Spanish
far 60 companies performing R&D in nanoscience industry in 2020. Everything achieved so far has
and nanotechnology are listed and is predicted a required a great effort, but still we have a R&D
significant increase in the upcoming years. system relatively weak compared with those
countries which we want to look like. Any change
In terms of outreach efforts we can mention in the sustained investment policies in our R&D
several initiatives. On one hand the edition of the system can take us back several years, as budget
first book in N&N issued by the Spanish cuts are announced to overcome this period of
Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), crisis they can also be very harmful in an
13

15. N & N i n S p a i n
emerging issue as nanotechnology. We hope automation, and therefore contributing to global
these cuts are punctual and that soon will regain sustainable development. On the other hand,
the road of support R&D&I. the nanotechnological revolution will speed up
the seemingly unstoppable expansion of the
In the meantime, before recovering the previous information technologies, and causing the
momentum, we need to implement new globalization of the economy, the spreading of
strategies intended to keep the path we started ideas, the access to the different sources of
INTRODUCTION
ten years ago under a more restrictive economic knowledge, the improvement of the educative
scenario. These strategies must be based in few systems, etc, to increase vertiginously. Finally, the
ingredients, including among others: (i) the irruption of the Nanotechnologies will directly
stimulus of the dialogue between Spain affect human beings by substantially improving
Ministries and Regional Goverments, on one diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and also our
side, and scientific community using existing capacities to interact with our surroundings.
networks that must be suitably funded on the
other; (ii) the increasing coordination of research Right now we are facing a powerful scientific
centres and large scale infrastrutures in order to paradigm with a multidisciplinary character,
optimize the access to scientific services of where Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, Physics,
public and private groups; (iii) to enhace public- Medicine, Materials Science, and Modelling-
private cooperation through Technology Computation converge. Establishing links
Platforms, Industry Networks and Science and between the scientific communities, looking for
Technology Parks; (iv) an actual support to small contact points and promoting the existence of
N&N spin-offs emerging from research centres, multidisciplinary groups, where imaginative
(v) the formation of a new generation of PhD solutions to nanoscale problems are forged,
students and technicians highly skilled for becomes now essential.
multidisciplinary research through specific
training programs (Master and PhD courses); Further reading
and (vi) the involvement of society through well
designed dissemination activities using Introduction
emerging communication technologies.
• C. P. Poole and F. J. Owens, “Introduction to
5. Conclusions the Nanotechnology”, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim
(2003).
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology represent • R. Waser (Ed.) “Nanoelectronics and
scientific-technical areas that in less than two Information Technology“, Wiley-VCH,
decades have gone from being in the hands of a Weinheim (2003).
reduced group of researchers who glimpsed • M. Ventra, S. Evoy, J.R. Heflin (Eds.),
their great potential, to constitute one of the “Introduction to Nanoscale Science and
recognized pillars of the scientific advance for Technology”, Series: Nanostructure Science
the next decades. The ability to manipulate the and Technology, Springer (2004).
matter on atomic scale opens the possibility of • A. Nouaihat, “An Introduction to Nanosciences
designing and manufacturing new materials and and Nanotechnology” , Wiley-ISTE (2008).
devices of nanometric size. This possibility will • G. L. Hornyak, J. Dutta, H.F. Tibbals and A. Rao,
alter the methods of manufacturing in factories, “Introduction to Nanoscience”, CRC Press
allowing for greater process optimization and (2008).
14

16. N & N i n S p a i n
• S. Lindsay, “Introduction to Nanoscience”, • Research in Germany:
Oxford University Press (2009). www.research-in-germany.de/dach
• M- Pagliaro, “Nano-Age: How Nanotechnology portal/en/downloads/download-files/
Changes our Future”, Wiley-VCH (2010). 9434/welcome-to-nanotech-germany.pdf
• S.H. Priest, “Nanotechnology and the Public: www.research-in-germany.de/research-
Risk Perception and Risk Communication areas/68296/nanotechnology.html
(Perspectives in Nanotechnology)”, CRC Press • “Paris plans science in the suburbs”:
INTRODUCTION
(2011). www.nature.com/news/2010/101020/full/
467897a.html
Funding • “French research wins huge cash boost”:
www.nature.com/news/2009/091215/
• Marks & Clerk, Nanotechnology, Report full/462838a.html
(2006). • http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/
• www.nano.gov/about-nni/what/funding documents/ev_20040301_en.pdf
• “The long view of Nanotechnology develop- • A. Nordmann, “Converging Technologies –
ment: The national Nanotechnology Initia- Shaping the Future of European Societies”:
tive at ten years”, Mihail Roco (2011) www.ntnu.no/2020/final_report_en.pdf
www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/nano/reports/nano2
/chapter00-2.pdf Nanotechnology in Spain
• “Some Figures about Nanotechnology R&D
in Europe and Beyond”, European Commis- • I+D+I National Plan 2008-2011
sion, Research DG http://publicacionesopi.micinn.es/docs/
ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/ PLAN_NACIONAL_CONSEJO_DE_
nanotechnology/docs/nano_funding_data_ MINISTROS.pdf
08122005.pdf • P.A. Serena, “Report on the implementation
• UE FP7 (NMP theme): of the Action Plan for Nanosciences and
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/ Nanotechnologies in Spain (2005-2007)",
nanotechnology_en.html Oficina Europea Micinn:
• EU FP7 Nanotechnology funding opportuni- www.oemicinn.es/programa-marco/
ties: http://cordis.europa.eu/ cooperacion/nanociencias-nanotecnologias-
nanotechnology/src/eu_funding.htm materiales-y-nuevas-tecnologias-de-la-
• EU FP7 Technological Platforms: produccion/documentos-de-interes/in-
http://cordis.europa.eu/technology- forme-de-la-implementacion-del-plan-de-ac-
platforms/ home_en.html cion-de-nanociencias-y-nanotecnologias-par
• FET Flagships a-el-periodo-2005-2007-en-espana
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/ • P. A. Serena, “A survey of public funding of
programme/fet/flagship/ nanotechnology in Spain over 2008”. Mi-
• EU-FP7 (ICT-FET) proactive initiative (nano nistry of Science and Innovation report to
ICT - NANO-SCALE ICT DEVICES AND SYSTEMS): the European Commission.
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/fet- www.oemicinn.es/content/
proactive/nanoict_en.html download/1122/7623/file/
• http://cordis.europa.eu/search/ REPORT2008-First-Implementation-Plan-
index.cfm?fuseaction=prog.document& FINAL-INL.pdf
PG_RCN=8737574
15

17. N & N i n S p a i n
14
• www.educacion.gob.es/campus- www.genesisred.net/index.php
15
excelencia.html www.nanomedspain.net
16
• www.micinn.es/portal/site/MICINN/ menui- www.materplat.es
17
tem.7eeac5cd345b4f34f09dfd1001432ea0/? www.fotonica21.org
18
vgnextoid=b0b841f658431210VgnVCM1000 www.phantomsnet.net/nanotech2008/;
001034e20aRCRD (Technological Platforms) www.phantomsnet.net/nanotech2009/;
• J.A. Martín-Gago et al. “Teaching Unit www.phantomsnet.net/nanotech2010/;
INTRODUCTION
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Among www.phantomsnet.net/NSTI2009/;
the science fiction of the present and the www.phantomsnet.net/Taiwan2010/
19
future technology”, Foundation for Science www.icmm.csic.es/spmage/
20
and Technology (FECYT), Madrid 2008 www.nanodyf.org
• Event Atom by Atom (San Sebastian, Spain):
http://atombyatom.nanogune.eu/
• Event Passion for knowledge (San Sebastian,
Spain): www.dipc10.eu/es/passion-for-
knowledge
• “Industrial Applications of Nanotechnology
in Spain in 2020 Horizon, Fundación OPTI
and Fundación INASMET-TECNALIA, Madrid.
(2008). The book can be downloaded free
from: www.opti.org
References
1
FP6 Thematic Area denominated
“Nanotechnologies and nano-sciences,
knowledge-based multifunctional materials
and new production processes and devices”
and FP7 denominated “Nanosciences,
Nanotechnologies, Materials and new
Production Technologies”
2
ICT: Information and Communication
Technologies
3
www.nanonextnl.nl
4
www.nanoinitiative.at
5
www.nanocode.eu
6
www.nanospain.org
7
www.tntconf.org
8
www.imaginenano.com
9
www.ciber-bbn.es
10
www.inl.int
11
www.apte.org
12
www.nano-renac.com
13
www.suschem-es.org
16

18. N & N i n S p a i n
17

19. > JAUME VECIANA
Place and date of birth
San Salvador (Rep. El Salvador), 1950
Education
Degree in Chemical Science, Univ. Barcelona,
June 1973.
Doctor in Chemistry, Univ. Barcelona,
November 1977.
Experience
Main research activities are focused on
functional molecular materials with metallic-
transport and magnetism-properties,
supramolecular materials and to the
development of molecular nanoscience and
nanotechnology. Research is also aimed
towards the development of new processing
methods for structuring functional molecular
materials as nanoparticles and their patterning on
surfaces. Also activities in Nanomedicine are
currently developed.
vecianaj@icmab.es
18

20. NANOCHEMISTRY
1. Introduction in this area will contribute to solving multiple
societal issues and will have an enormous
Nanochemistry is the term generally used to impact in many aspects and activities of our
gather all activities of Nanoscience and lives; especially those related with:
Nanotechnology (N&N) having in common the
use of the traditional concepts, objectives and a) Energy
tools of Chemistry. Accordingly, Nanochemistry b) Information and Communication Technologies
deals with the design, study, production, and c) Healthcare
transformation of basic materials into other d) Quality of Life
often more complex products and materials that e) Citizen Protection
show useful properties due to their nanoscopic f) Transport
dimensions. This area of research has the
potential to make a significant impact on our Indeed, activities in this discipline will enable our
world since it has an enabling character European society to become more sustainable,
underpinning technology clusters such as due to new and improved products and
materials and manufacturing. processes that supply new and existing products
more efficiently.
Application areas include construction,
cosmetics, pharmaceutical, automotive, and Moreover, it is anticipated that the economical
aerospace industry, as well as polymer additives, and social impacts of Nanochemistry in our society
functional surfaces, sensors and biosensors, will be very high both in terms of generating
molecular electronics, and targeted drug greater wealth and larger economical revenues,
release. It is just in this area of research where improving our trade balances, as well as in the
one of the most important and commonly used generation and maintaining employments
approaches of N&N, the “bottom-up-approach”, because it will push and renew traditional
comes from, whose objectives are to organize activities of chemical industry in Europe.
the matter at the nanoscale from atoms or
molecules with the purpose of obtaining new This aspect is important because the chemical
properties or applications. industry is one of the pillars of the European
economy. It is ubiquitous and is a significant
Due to the transversal character of factor in the improved quality of life enjoyed by
Nanochemistry, it is expected that the research European citizens today.
19

21. N & N i n S p a i n
2. State of the Art (recent advances, etc.)
In order to analyse the state of the art of this
area and describe the recent advances, over the
2007-2009 period, a search was made in the ISI
Web of Knowledge (Web of Science) crossing the
terms chem* and nano*. This search gave
NANOCHEMISTRY
36.400 results corresponding to papers that
appeared in journals devoted to general science,
chemistry, nanoscience, materials science, and
physics.
A careful analysis of the most cited articles of
this search permitted to localize those topics
inside Nanochemistry that have received more
attention among the scientific community. A list
of those topics, randomly ordered, is as follows:
Figure 1. SEM image of a drug processed as a particulate material for • Self-assembled organizations in 0-, 1-, 2-, and
controlling its delivery. Courtesy of NANOMOL, ICMAB (CSIC)-CIBER-
BBN. 3-Dimensions.
• Hierarchical functional supramolecular
According with the vision paper of the European
organizations.
Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry
(SUSCHEM), “The vision for 2025 and beyond”, • Studies on molecular dynamics on surface
the EU is a leading global chemicals producing reactions.
area, with 32% of world chemicals production. • Basic studies on interfacial structural aspects
of small molecules.
This sector contributes 2.4% to European Union
GDP and comprises some 25,000 enterprises in • Synthesis and studies of molecular
Europe, 98% of these are SMEs, which account motors/machines/valves.
for 45% of the sector's added value. The • Design, preparation and study on
chemical industry of the 25 State Members of nanoreactors.
EU currently employs 2.7 million people directly,
of which 46% are in SMEs, with many times this • Design and preparation of metal-organic
number employed indirectly. frameworks with new properties.
• Chemically modified surfaces for microfluidics.
Consequently, N&N could help to boost European
research, development and innovation in • Nanogels obtained by polymerization
chemical technologies becoming a major techniques.
determining factor to secure the sector's • Catalytic activity studies of metallic clusters.
competitiveness and consequently the overall
competitiveness. Thus, the future activities in • Chirality enhancement of surfaces or nanotubes.
Nanochemistry will be of the utmost importance • New methods for preparation of nanocrystals
for our lives and economy. /nanowires/nanotubes/nanovesicles.
20

22. N & N i n S p a i n
• Chemically modified surfaces / nanofibres / • Molecule-based techniques for printing.
nanotubes and their applications.
• Plasmon resonance studies of functionalized
• Nanofabrication based on “layer-by-layer” surfaces/particles.
assembly techniques.
• Electron transport in molecular junctions and
• Polymers with responsive properties to in nanotubes and graphenes.
external stimuli.
NANOCHEMISTRY
• Nanoparticles and nanostructrued materials
• Nanoparticles for being used as sensors, for sensing Hg2+ ions in water.
medical imaging and therapy.
• Preparation and functionalization of
• Nanostructured materials for gas storage polymeric dendrons and dendrimers.
applications.
• Synthesis and characterizaton of monodisperse
• Nanostructured materials for photovoltaics structured (hollow, core-shell, capsules, etc.)
and photonics. nanoparticles.
• Nanostructured materials for energy
3. Most relevant international papers in the area
applications.
appearing during 2007-2009
• Nanostructured materials for drug delivery
and targeting purposes. The most cited papers found in the above men-
tioned searching using the terms nano* and
• Self-assembled nanoprobes for NMR imaging.
chem* are the following:
• Synthesis, functionalization, and application
of magnetic nanoparticles. •“Synthetic molecular motors and mechanical
machines”.
• Mesoporous materials for drug delivery.
Kay, ER; Leigh, DA; Zerbetto, F., Angew. Chem.
• Drug encapsulation in nanostructured objects Int. Ed., 46, 72-191 (2007).
for biomedical applications.
•“Titanium dioxide nanomaterials: Synthesis,
• DNA hybridized materials for use in medical properties, modifications, and applications”.
and sensing applications. Chen, X; Mao, SS, Chem. Rev., 107, 2891-2959
(2007).
• Basic studies on cell internalization of
nanostructured organizations. •“Chemically derived, ultrasmooth graphene
nanoribbon semiconductors”.
• Functionalization of quantum dots for cellular Li, XL; Wang, XR; Zhang, L; Lee, SW; Dai, HJ,
imaging. Science, 319, 1229-1232 (2008).
• Positioning and manipulating enzymes, •“Detection of individual gas molecules
nucleic acids, and protein-based objects in adsorbed on graphene”.
nanoreactors. Schedin, F; Geim, AK; Morozov, SV; Hill, EW;
• Synthesis and studies of graphene and Blake, P; Katsnelson, MI; Novoselov, KS,
derivatives. Nature Mater, 6, 652-655 (2007).
• “Click” chemistry and its applications. •“'Click' chemistry in polymer and materials
science”.
• Modification of surface wetting properties. Binder, WH; Sachsenhofer, R, Macromol.
Rapid Comm., 28, 15-54 (2007).
21

23. N & N i n S p a i n
•“Polyoxometalate clusters, nanostructures from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by electron
and materials: From self assembly to designer transfer dissociation (ETD) mass
materials and devices”. spectrometry”.
Long, DL; Burkholder, E; Cronin, L, Chem. Soc. Chi, A; Huttenhower, C; Geer, LY; Coon, JJ;
Rev., 36, 105-121 (2007). Syka, JEP; Bai, DL; Shabanowitz, J; Burke, DJ;
Troyanskaya, OG; Hunt, DF, Proc. Nat. Acad.
•“Synthesis of tetrahexahedral platinum
Sci. USA, 104, 2193-2198 (2007).
NANOCHEMISTRY
nanocrystals with high-index facets and high
electro-oxidation activity”.
Tian, N; Zhou, ZY; Sun, SG; Ding, Y; Wang, ZL, 4. Actuations to undertake in Spain during
Science, 316, 732-735 (2007). 2010-2013
•“Localized surface plasmon resonance It would be convenient that actions to promote
spectroscopy and sensing”. and boost Nanochemistry in Spain in the next
Willets, KA; Van Duyne, RP, Ann. Rev. Phys. years follow the general directions undertaken by
Chem., 58, (2007). the most important European initiatives. There
•“Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets via is a prospective roadmap, performed at the
chemical reduction of exfoliated graphite European level by the “European Technology
oxide”. Platform (ETP) for Sustainable Chemistry”
Stankovich, S; Dikin, DA; Piner, RD; Kohlhaas, (SusChem) that appeared in its “Strategic
KA; Kleinhammes, A; Jia, Y; Wu, Y; Nguyen, ST; Research Agenda” (SRA), where products and
Ruoff, RS, Carbon, 45, 1558-1565 (2007). technologies are given, together with their
short-, mid- and long-term priorities and the
•“Processable aqueous dispersions of graphene
expected market volume. Most of such products
nanosheets”.
and technologies can be benefited from advances
Li, D; Muller, MB; Gilje, S; Kaner, RB; Wallace,
in Nanochemistry and, therefore, grouped by
GG, Nature Nanotechnology, 3, 101-105 (2008).
socio-economical sectors are detailed below:
•“New directions for low-dimensional
thermoelectric materials”. Energy
Dresselhaus, MS; Chen, G; Tang, MY; Yang, RG;
Lee, H; Wang, DZ; Ren, ZF; Fleurial, JP; Gogna, Products: Materials for hydrogen storage and
P, Adv. Mater., 19, 1043-1053 (2007). transport, fuel cells and batteries, conducting
•“Nanoelectronics from the bottom up”. polymers, superconductors and semiconductors,
Lu, W; Lieber, CM, Nature Mater, 6, 841-850 light emitting diodes, solar cells, and thermal
(2007). insulating materials.
•“Molecular architectonic on metal surfaces” Technologies: Scale-up processes for the
Barth, JV, Ann. Rev. Phys. Chem., 58, 375-407 production of advanced materials, analytical
(2007).
technologies for the quality control of advanced
•“Colorimetric detection of mercuric ion materials, and process development and control
(Hg2+) in aqueous media using DNA- technology.
functionalized gold nanoparticles”.
Lee, JS; Han, MS; Mirkin, CA, Angew. Chem. Information and Communication Technologies
Int. Ed., 46, 4093-4096 (2007).
•“Analysis of phosphorylation sites on proteins Products: Supercapacitors, luminescent materials
22

24. N & N i n S p a i n
for displays, OLEDs, E-paper, molecular Healthcare
electronics, molecule-based for spintronics,
semiconducting materials, conducting polymers, Products: Tumor therapy, targeted drug-delivery,
materials with enhanced mobility, materials for bone reconstruction, tissue engineering. New
storage and transport of information and for antibiotics by novel microorganisms, preparation
holography, batteries, eco-efficient electronic of antibodies, peptides, and proteins by
devices, optical materials, pico-second molecular bioprocesses, medical devices, Smart delivery
NANOCHEMISTRY
switches, and portable devices for hydrogen systems, tissular engineering, instant diagnosis,
transport. functional textiles, and “lab-on-a-chip” devices.
Technologies: Scale-up processes for the Technologies: Formulation engineering of micro,
production of advanced materials, process nanostructured emulsions/ dispersions and
development and control technology, technologies particulate products for controlled release, generic
which take advantage of structure-property methods for introduction of chiral centers, in-silico
relationships and interface effects, high-power prediction of drug pharmacokinetics, high-
technologies, miniaturization, and biotechnological throughput screening technologies, new MRI,
production processes of molecular components. NMR and spectroscopy techniques, scale-up
processes for the production of advanced
materials, innovative
fermentation processes for
novel antibiotics production,
biocatalytic production of
pharma building blocks.
Quality of Life
Products: Devices for
efficient lightening,
environment sensors,
membranes for treatment
of drinkable water, materials
for acoustic and thermal
insulation, smart electro-
chromic devices, interactive
functional textile devices,
intelligent materials for
packaging, and food quality
sensors, enzymes for new
detergents and for removal
of carcinogenic compounds
in food, food tracking
systems.
Technologies: Sensing
Figure 2. Weaved textile with metallic conducting properties based on a nanocomposite poly-
meric material. Courtesy of NANOMOL, ICMAB (CSIC)-CIBER-BBN. materials and techniques,
23

25. N & N i n S p a i n
formulation of products with defined particulate technology-platforms/ individual_en.html where
structure, adapting intensified process it is also possible downloading their strategic
equipment, scale-up processes for the research agendas and implementation action
production of advanced materials, process plans.
development and control technology.
Many of such ETPs have created mirror
Citizen Protection platforms in Spain which are currently
NANOCHEMISTRY
developing intense activities to boost their
Products: Devices for biometric identification, respective areas in our country. Probably those
smart cards, protecting tissues, ETPs whose interests are closer to
superhydrophobic fibers, conducting and optical Nanochemistry activities and will benefit from
fibers, alarm devices, thermo-chromic windows, new advances in this area are the following:
functionalized polymers and surfaces as
recognition layers, electrostrictive materials, and • Advanced Engineering Materials and
pressure sensitive carpets. Technologies (EuMaT);
www.eumat.org
Technologies: Scale-up processes for the
production of advanced materials, sensing • European Construction Technology Platform
materials and techniques, and process (ECTP);
development and control technology. www.ectp.org
• European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory
Transport Council (ENIAC);
www.eniac.eu
Products: Devices for instantaneous diagnosis
and attending car drivers, traffic management • European Space Technology Platform (ESTP);
sensors, improved safety devices, materials for http://estp.esa.int/exp/E10430.php
recyclable and biodegradable vehicles, materials • Food for Life (Food);
for constant repair, silent car & road, instant http://etp.ciaa.be/asp/ home/welcome.asp
diagnosis/sensors, enhanced safety for
transportation systems, functional coatings, eco- • Future Manufacturing Technologies (MANU-
efficient car, plane & ships, improved tyres, FUTURE);
recyclable materials. www.manufuture.org
• Future Textiles and Clothing (FTC);
Technologies: Scale-up processes for the http://textile-platform.eu/textile-platform/
production of advanced materials, and process
• Nanotechnologies for Medical Applications
development and control technology.
(NanoMedicine);
http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology/
5. Relevant initiatives
nanomedicine.htm
During the last years several European • Photonics21 (Photonics);
Technology Platforms (ETPs) have been created www.photonics21.org
and boosted by industrial and academic
• Photovoltaics (Photovoltaics);
partners. A complete list of ETPs can be found at
www.eupvplatform.org
the website http://cordis.europa.eu/
24

26. N & N i n S p a i n
• Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem); In order to achieve such a level important
www.suschem.org financial efforts must be made from the different
national and local research agencies to provide
• Water Supply and Sanitation Technology
with considerable amounts of funds to the most
Platform (WSSTP);
competitive Spanish laboratories and groups,
www.wsstp.eu/site/online/home
judging their past activity based only in terms of
excellence and productivity. The traditional
NANOCHEMISTRY
For training and formation activities it is worth
attitude of such agencies to distribute small
to mention the European School on Molecular
amounts of funds to all groups must be
Nanoscience that has been organized two
completely disregarded. Such agencies must also
editions in Spain with a successful attendance of
consider those small groups with promising
young researchers from all Europe with the
backgrounds to boost their activities.
participation of worldwide recognized
researchers and professors.
This initiative was organized by the European
Network of Excellence MAGMANet becoming an
important international event where
Nanochemistry plays a key role. There are also
few Master Degrees that are given by some
Spanish Universities where the training on
chemistry and nanoscience is provided.
6. Infrastructure needed (2010-2013)
Because of the special characteristics of
Nanochemistry, there is no need to perform
large investments in huge research facilities. The
funds provided by the local and national
governments must be addressed mostly to
increase the manpower of the groups and to
achieve efficient and rapid ways to acquire
small-medium equipments without long waiting
times since this decrease the efficiency and
competitiveness of the groups.
7. Conclusion
As a general conclusion it is worth to mention the
need to promote in Spain the research addressed to
all the topics reported before. Nowadays there is a
good level of research in our country in comparison
with Europe although we are still far from the
optimal rank of excellence and productivity existing
in the most developed countries.
25

27. > FRANCESC PÉREZ-MURANO
Place and date of birth
Barcelona (Spain), 1966
Education
PhD on Physics. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Experience
Prof. Francesc Pérez-Murano is research professor at
IMB-CNM. His research activities are dedicated to
developing novel methods of nanofabrication for
micro and nano electronics, and to applications of
MEMS and NEMS in the areas of Sensing. He
made his PhD at the Universitat Autonoma de
Barcelona, and he has made post-doctoral and
visiting stays at MIC in Denmark, NIST in USA,
AIST in Japan and EPFL in Switzerland.
In 2001, he set-up the CSIC nanofabrication
facilities and nanotechnology-oriented
research at CNM-Barcelona. He has been
strongly involved in EU collaborative research
projects in FP5 and FP6 covering several
aspects of Nanotechnology and
Nanofabrication, including the coordination of
an STREP project in FP6. He is co-author of more
than 100 articles in peer reviewed International
Journals and co-inventor of four patents. He is
member of the Steering Committee of the MNE
(Micro and Nano Engineering) conference series.
francesc.perez@imb-cnm.csic.es
26

28. NANOELECTRONICS AND
MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS
1. Introduction
It is widely accepted that electronics based on
nano-scale integration and nanostructured
molecular materials provides new types of
devices and intelligent systems. Nanoelectronics
technology development is following several
approaches to improve performance of systems
through miniaturization. On one side, electronics
industry (traditionally called Microelectronics)
relies on the classical top-down approach, where
reliability and throughput is guaranteed to
manufacture millions of chips with integrated
Figure 1. Different areas of Nanoelectronics according to the charac-
nanoscale transistors. As stated by the well teristic length of the devices.
known Moore’s law, continuous reduction of the
transistor size allows improving circuit Within the “More than Moore” area,
performance. Microprocessors with 2 billion microelectronics-based technology is used and
transistors (32 nm node) are now close to the extended to the fabrication of sensors and
market. transducers, amongst other devices. A
paradigmatic example of this is the growing area
The extremely complexity and cost of this of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS).
technology, together with the envisioned limits “Beyond CMOS” focuses on the introduction of
for further miniaturization triggers the disruptive, emerging materials and technologies
development of other concepts, materials and aiming to continue the integrated circuits
manufacturing technologies, encompassed in growing up device density race. Lot of
which are known as “More than Moore” and development is being achieved in the so-called
“Beyond CMOS” areas of nanoelectronics, carbon-based electronics, where carbon
according to ENIAC1 initiative. nanotubes and graphene can be used to provide
more-powerful devices. Along with this,
In this sense, the research area of polymers, single molecules and nanocrystals are
nanoelectronics covers a large range of aspects, also being introduced to developed new kind of
some of which will be revised in this report. concepts.
27

29. N & N i n S p a i n
The area of nanoelectronics and molecular further generations, however, 20 nm seems to
NANOELECTRONICS AND MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS
electronics extends also towards materials be challenging. High volume, high throughput
science and chemistry on one side, and towards lithography is predicted to reach the sub 20 nm
many aspects of sensing (including biosensing). feature scale in 20173 . The technologies at hand
These aspects are almost not treated in this to provide such a resolution at sufficient feature
report, which is mainly focused to information quality are rare. Also, for the time being, it is not
processing. clear, if its potential successor, extreme
ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is arriving at the
At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, market. Other technologies like nanoimprint
we are in the situation where researchers and lithography (NIL)4 or electron beam (EBL) mask-
engineers are starting to take benefit of the new less lithography5 provide sufficient resolution.
“nano-based” materials and technologies While EBL is too slow (and parallelization is
originated in previous decades. We anticipate the difficult) to provide enough throughput for high
outcome of a new area for nanoelectronics, volume production, NIL gathers increasing
where a real merge between top-down attention and it is proposed to be used in FLASH
(microelectronics) and bottom-up (molecular memory production in the near future6.
electronics) will give place to extremely powerful
systems to satisfy the increasing demands for However this solution still requires a mask
efficient information processing and technology with the added difficulty to fabricate
communications, including quantum computing. a 1X mask. In addition, because it is a contact
lithography, mask defects is a main issue.
2. State of the art Scanning Probe lithography for mask fabrication
and technology development are being
2.1 Miniaturization in Microelectronics considered as well7. In any case, Microelectronics
industry is seriously considering incorporating
Progress in nanotechnology and microelectronics nanotechnology tools and concepts, like block-
is intimately linked to the existence of high copolymers self-assembly8.
quality methods for producing nanoscale
patterns and objects at surfaces. The explosive 2.2 Carbon based nanoelectronics (CNTs and
growth in the capability of semiconductor Graphene)
devices has to a large extent been due to
advances in lithography. Miniaturization has The approaching limits of the top-down
enabled both the number of transistors on a chip miniaturization have triggered a global effort to
and the speed of the transistor to be increased generate alternative device technologies. By
by orders of magnitude. Optical lithography has replacing the conducting channel of a MOS
kept pace with this evolution for several decades transistor by structured carbon nanomaterials
and has always been the workhorse for such as carbon nanotubes or graphene layers,
patterning the critical layers in semiconductor devices with enhanced properties for electronic
manufacturing. transport are encountered9. Emerging of
graphene as a high performance semiconductor
At present, technological solutions for the 32 nm material has been a major hit during 2007-2009.
node exist. Today’s predominantly used
technology, optical deep UV (DUV) lithography2 Key results on this aspects have been the
will be extended by computational methods to achievement of ultrahigh electron mobility in
28

30. N & N i n S p a i n
suspended graphene layers10 and the NEMS is a clear example of multidisciplinary
NANOELECTRONICS AND MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS
observation of room - temperature quantum effort, where the progress is achieved by
hall effect. Technology for CNT-based simultaneous efforts on advanced
nanoelectronic devices is arriving to a mature nanofabrication processing, use of nanoscale
stage. Improvements on the control of CNT characterization methods and tools, and
orientation and their combination with CMOS introduction of concepts from photonics
technology are especially relevant for future biochemistry physics, etc. NEMS technology
applications13. Also important are the new include aspects of top-down fabrication using
applications of CNT based devices for charge nanolithography and advanced optical
detection14 and for nanomechanical mass lithography, but also combination with bottom-
sensing (see below, NEMS subsection). up fabrication for the development of NEMS
based on carbon nanotubes17 and silicon
2.3 Spintronics nanowires18. Most relevant results include the
demonstration of single atom sensitivity for mass
Spin based electronics deals with the sensors using carbon nanotubes and silicon
manipulation of spin of charge carriers in solid nanowires , the joint effort of CEA-LETI and UCLA
state devices. It can be distinguished between to develop a robust/wafer scale technology for
inorganic spintronics (devices based on metals NEMS integration19, and the initial detection of
or semiconductors) and molecular spintronics, the quantum limits of NEMS20 .
(either the design of molecular analogs of the
inorganic spintronic structures and the evolution 2.5 Molecular electronics
towards single molecule spintronics).
Understanding the electronic properties of
A recent review about molecular spintronics can single molecules and developing methods for
be found in15. Besides the well known impact of making reliable and optimal contacts to them
are major challenges in Nanotechnology. Even
spintronics in storage technology (giant
though a single molecule electronic device is
magneto-resistance effect used in the operation
of magnetic hard-drives heads), inorganic
spintronics has a potential to provide low-power
devices for memories (MRAM). On the other
hand, molecules and single-molecule magnets
offer possibilities for future applications in
quantum computing.
2.4 Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS)
The area of nanomechanical systems has
experienced a tremendous advance during the
2007-2009 period. Roughly, three main
directions are being pursued: development of
extremely sensitive nanomechanical sensors16,
large scale integration of nanomechanical
structures and quantum limits of Figure 2. Example of massive fabrication of nanoelectronics devices.
A four inch-wafer containing 138,240 CNT-FET structures. I. Martin et
nanomechanical resonators search. The area of al12.
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