Combined approach to nanopatterning
The tools to be developed within NaPa will be less capital-intensive and the processes are envisioned to be environmentally friendly. The key outcome from NaPa will be standardisation of processes for nano-patterning, forming the basis of a library. Such a library would resemble those already available for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.
The project also aims to ensure that the resulting nano-patterning standard addresses future demands for integrated circuits, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medicine .
Around 60 persons will be employed and trained during the project in leading European industrial and research laboratories. This training will be enhanced by exchange visits between laboratories within the consortium to carry out joint research.
It is hoped that nano-patterning may create catalytic surfaces for better-controlled chemical processes based on micro-reaction technologies and bio molecules with nanosurface structures creating new functionalities and cost/sample volume reductions for the biotechnology and medical sciences.