CCMX - Competence Centre for Materials Science and Technology
The mission of the CCMX is to link the needs of industry with academic research. It focuses on pre-competitive research, training, multilevel interactions and networking opportunities for all the actors of the materials science scene in Switzerland.
Website access, click here.
NCCR Nanoscale Science: a national Center of Competence in Research
NCCR is a long-term interdisciplinary research effort focusing on nanoscale structures and aiming to provide new impact and ideas for the life sciences, the sustainable use of resources, and for information and communication technologies. Within the NCCR, the University of Basel has the role of a leading house, maintaining a network of universities, federal research institutes and industrial partners in which scientists from a wide variety of disciplines work closely together. Six reserach domains are investigated: nanobiology, quantum computing and quantum coherence, atomic and molecular nanosystems, molecular electronics, functional materials by hierarchical self-assembly, nanoethics.
Website access, click here.
EMPA - A materials science and technology research institution
EMPA belongs to the domain of the Federal Institutes of Technology (EPF). It is specialized in applications, focused research and development, and provides high-level services in the field of sustainable materials science and technology. Its core tasks are innovative collaboration with industry and public institutions, ensuring the safety of people and the environment, knowledge propagation and university-level teaching. Concerning nanotechnology, many projects are pursued: study and development of nanoscale materials, NANORISK (safety and risks of carbon nanotubes), NANOLOGUE (facilitating the dialogue between research, business, and the civil society), risk management of nanotechnology from a life cycle perspective and NANOHEALTH (nanotechnology and health technological options, risk evaluation and precautionary strategies).
Website access, click here.
Swiss Re - Reinsurer
Swiss Re is one of the world's leading reinsurers and the world's largest life and health reinsurer. In order to contribute to a public risk dialogue, Swiss Re addressed the opportunities and risks of nanotechnology. For Swiss Re, an open risk dialogue is required involving all stakeholders - industry, scientists, regulators and the insurance sector. With this in mind, Swiss Re has published different reports among which "Nanotechnology: Small matter, many unknowns".
Website access, click here.
SUVA- Insurer
The work of the SUVA Insurance specialists focuses on the risks arising from exposure to nanoparticles in the workplace. SUVA collaborates with researchers and industries to developp sensitive measurement techniques and instrumentation for monitoring nanoparticle-based air quality. SUVA supports projects from the Romand Institute for Occupational Health (IURST) and from EMPA.
Website access, click here.
TA SWISS - The Federal Center for Technology Asessement
TA-SWISS at theSwiss Science and Technology Council is in charge of assessing the benefits and the risks of technologies. A first study on "Nanotechnology in medicine" has provided a survey of the current and future applications in the health domain. A series of focus groups will be organized with citizens at the end of 2006 to address the "Environmental and health implications of nanotechnology".
Website access, click here.
