The dimensions are minuscule, the potential enormous. But if Europe is to benefit from all that nanoscience and nanotechnology has to offer, the results of research must make their way out of the lab, and into industrial applications.

Industrial application is the theme of the third EuroNanoForum, this time taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany. During the opening plenary on 18 June, State Secretary from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Thomas Rachel, said that the market for nanotechnology products will be worth ¿1 billion in 2015.

Mr Rachel emphasised that nanotechnologies can bring much more than economic success. Working at the nanoscale has the potential to find solutions for major global problems, including climate change and disease.

Anti-microbial wound dressings; new, lighter material for wind turbines; targeted drug delivery systems, highly efficient batteries, gas detection, and a device for identifying quickly the reason for chest pains were just some of the applications of the future mentioned during the first day of the three-day conference.

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