Making the future Europe turns from microelectronics to nanoelectronics

To become the world’s most competitive powerhouse, Europe must lead the transition of the micro-electronics sector to the next generation of nano-electronics, with co-ordinated public and private investments of at least 6 billion euro per year. This is the message from a report drawn up by CEOs of leading companies and research organizations and presented today to European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin and Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen. Smarter and smaller electronics at the nano-meter scale managing vast amounts of data are becoming key components for many applications, from household appliances and consumer goods to automotive transport, health care and security, and ultimately ambient intelligence. The 'Vision 2020: Nano-electronics at the centre of change' will lead to the launch of the European Nano-electronics Initiative Advisory Council (ENIAC) to be chaired by STMicroelectronics’ President and CEO Pasquale Pistorio. This European public-private partnership will identify a strategic research agenda for nano-electronics in Europe and implement it.