Co-Nanomet: Co-ordination of Nanometrology in Europe

Nanometrology is a subfield of metrology, concerned with the science of measurement at the nanoscale level. Today’s global economy depends on reliable measurements and tests, which are trusted and accepted internationally. It must provide the ability to measure in three dimensions with atomic resolution over large areas. For industrial application this must also be achieved at a suitable speed/throughput. Measurements in the nanometre range should be traceable back to internationally accepted units of measurement (e.g. of length, angle, quantity of matter, and force). This requires common, validated measurement methods, calibrated scientific instrumentation as well as qualified reference samples. In some areas, even a common vocabulary needs to be defined. A traceability chain for the required measurements in the nm range has been established in only a few special cases. A common strategy for European nanometrology has been defined, as captured herein, such that future nanometrology development in Europe may build out from our many current strengths. In this way, European nanotechnology will be supported to reach its full and most exciting potential. As a strategic guidance, this document contains a vision for European nanometrology 2020; future goals and research needs, building out from an evaluation of the status of science and technology in 2010. It incorporates concepts for the acceleration of European nanometrology, in support of the effective commercial exploitation of emerging nanotechnologies. The field of nanotechnology covers a breadth of disciplines, each of which has specific and varying metrological needs. To this end, a set of four core technology fields or priority themes (Engineered Nanoparticles, Nanobiotechnology, Thin Films and Structured Surfaces and Modelling & Simulation) are the focus of this review. Each represents an area within which rapid scientific development during the last decade has seen corresponding growth in or towards commercial exploitation routes. This document was compiled under the European Commission Framework Programme 7 project, Co-Nanomet. It has drawn together input from industry, research institutes, (national) metrology institutes, regulatory and standardisation bodies across Europe. Through the common work of the partners and all those interested parties who have contributed, it represents a significant collaborative European effort in this important field. In the next decade, nanotechnology can be expected to approach maturity, as a major enabling technological discipline with widespread application. This document provides a guide to the many bodies across Europe in their activities or responsibilities in the field of nanotechnology and related measurement requirements. It will support the commercial exploitation of nanotechnology, as it transitions through this next exciting decade

Science for Standards: a driver for innovation - JRC Thematic Report

This report aims to give a comprehensive overview of the work of the Commission's in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in relation to global standardisation challenges. The description of the JRC's work on standards is divided into six chapters. For each chapter, the detailed policy context is cited, showing clearly how and where the JRC is providing its scientific and technical support to standardisation-related policies.JRC.A.6-Communicatio

Status Report of the DPHEP Study Group: Towards a Global Effort for Sustainable Data Preservation in High Energy Physics

Data from high-energy physics (HEP) experiments are collected with significant financial and human effort and are mostly unique. An inter-experimental study group on HEP data preservation and long-term analysis was convened as a panel of the International Committee for Future Accelerators (ICFA). The group was formed by large collider-based experiments and investigated the technical and organisational aspects of HEP data preservation. An intermediate report was released in November 2009 addressing the general issues of data preservation in HEP. This paper includes and extends the intermediate report. It provides an analysis of the research case for data preservation and a detailed description of the various projects at experiment, laboratory and international levels. In addition, the paper provides a concrete proposal for an international organisation in charge of the data management and policies in high-energy physics

Future-proofing hydrogeology by revising groundwater monitoring practice

Groundwater is an important global resource and its sustainable use faces major challenges. New methods and advances in computational science could lead to much improved understanding of groundwater processes and subsurface properties. A closer look at current groundwater monitoring practice reveals the need for updates with a special focus on the benefits of high-frequency and high-resolution datasets. To future-proof hydrogeology, this paper raises awareness about the necessity for improvement, provides initial recommendations and advocates for the development of universal guide-lines

Examples of trends in water management systems under influence of modern technologies

Dobivanje pouzdanih i pravovremenih informacija o trenutačnom i o budućem stanju voda omogućava učinkovito upravljanje vodnogospodarskim sustavima. U ovom se radu prikazuju prednosti i izazovi primjene naprednih tehnologija pri prikupljanju, obradi i integraciji podataka unutar nekoliko primjera sustava gospodarenja vodama. Pokazuje se kako napredne tehnologije imaju izraženu učinkovitost u preciznom praćenju različitih fenomena okoliša, u povećanju sigurnosti vodnih resursa i objekata te omogućavaju smanjenje potrošnje vode i energije uz povećanje kvalitete vode.Reliable and timely information about the current and future condition of water enables an efficient management of water management systems. Advantages and challenges of the use of modern technologies in the collection, analysis, and integration of data, are presented in this paper by means of several examples of water management systems. It is shown how advanced technologies demonstrate a pronounced efficiency in accurate monitoring of various environmental phenomena and in increasing safety of water resources and facilities, while also enabling low water and energy consumption, with simultaneous increase in water quality

2011 Strategic roadmap for Australian research infrastructure

The 2011 Roadmap articulates the priority research infrastructure areas of a national scale (capability areas) to further develop Australia’s research capacity and improve innovation and research outcomes over the next five to ten years. The capability areas have been identified through considered analysis of input provided by stakeholders, in conjunction with specialist advice from Expert Working Groups   It is intended the Strategic Framework will provide a high-level policy framework, which will include principles to guide the development of policy advice and the design of programs related to the funding of research infrastructure by the Australian Government. Roadmapping has been identified in the Strategic Framework Discussion Paper as the most appropriate prioritisation mechanism for national, collaborative research infrastructure. The strategic identification of Capability areas through a consultative roadmapping process was also validated in the report of the 2010 NCRIS Evaluation. The 2011 Roadmap is primarily concerned with medium to large-scale research infrastructure. However, any landmark infrastructure (typically involving an investment in excess of $100 million over five years from the Australian Government) requirements identified in this process will be noted. NRIC has also developed a ‘Process to identify and prioritise Australian Government landmark research infrastructure investments’ which is currently under consideration by the government as part of broader deliberations relating to research infrastructure. NRIC will have strategic oversight of the development of the 2011 Roadmap as part of its overall policy view of research infrastructure

EMN-Q - Strategic Research Agenda and Quantum Technologies Roadmaps

Together with the EMN-Q web platform, EMN-Q events and workshops this Strategic Research Agendanrepresents, in the intention of the EMN-Q members, one of the main communication channels to QT stakeholders from academia, industry, and standardisation bodies. The Strategic Research Agenda once developed will be periodically updated by the EMN-Q, with the support of the QT community, to ensure that QT metrology needs, even if evolving, are taken into account and national metrology activities are coordinated, prioritised and focussed. The roadmaps will ensure that NMIs can align their research programmes in anticipation of future needs so that European QTs will be supported far into the future. In turn, QT stakeholders will acquire confidence that their metrological needs will be addressed by a long-term and coherent approach; improving on the present situation where short-term projects are based on ad-hoc needs. NMIs' awareness and involvement early on in device development will provide assurances to the user community and help the QT market to grow