It is now accepted that nanotechnology is one of the key enabling technologies for sustainable and competitive growth in Europe. Nanoelectronics is certainly the branch with the most significant commercial impact and covers a huge range of interdisciplinary areas of research and development such as molecular electronics, bioelectronics, spintronics, nanoimprint, nanoscale optics, lithography, architecture and nanoprobes. It is also accepted that a significant investment will be required to ensure Europe's competitiveness in nanotechnology. At this stage it is impossible to predict the exact course that the nanoelectronics revolution will take and, therefore, its effect on our daily lives. We can, however, be reasonably sure that nanotechnology will have a profound impact on the future development of many commercial sectors. The greatest impact is likely to be in the electronics sector, where the demand for technologies permitting faster processing of data at lower costs will remain undiminished. In order to avoid European industry and R & D being left behind the United States and Japan in this fast emerging nanoelectronics field, the PHANTOMS Network Scheme will promote European science and research through a pluri-national networking action, put together research capacities present in the various European regions and stimulate commercial nanoelectronic applications.
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