Grenoble, France - 26 September 2005.

The European Commission (EC) has launched a new project within its 6^th Framework Programme that will contribute to the coordination of research in photonics and nanotechnologies. The goal of the MONA project (Merging Optics and Nanotechnologies) is to leverage synergies in photonics and nanotechnologies, seeking to increase the impact and efficiency of investment on European research. [web-site www.ist-mona.org]

The MONA project will coordinate FP-6 R&D programmes with relevant industries, and with regional and national research programmes inside and outside Europe.

Photonics and Nanotechnologies are highly multi-disciplinary fields and two of the principal enabling technologies for the 21st century. They are two of the main technology drivers for wide horizon of industry sectors such as transport, communication, life sciences, manufacturing and information technologies.

There are three principal objectives for the MONA project:

• Create a common site for the exchange of information concerning research, networks of excellence, and integrated projects in photonics and nanotechnologies.
• Promote the timely exchange of scientific results, market development, and technology needs through MONA-developed workshops.
• Develop a European roadmap for photonics and nanotechnologies.

The MONA project will bridge the gap between photonics and nanotechnologies.
Photonics/nanophotonics and nanomaterials/nanotechnologies can benefit from each other in terms of new functions, materials, fabrication processes and applications.

As a Specific Support Action, the MONA project will foster collaborations between photonics and nanotechnologies stakeholders and will help preparing future research activities. A major outcome of MONA will be a consolidated scenario (time horizon 5-10 years), setting out development and technology road maps.

MONA will produce tangible results for the benefit of the European Community:

• Economic intelligence and market survey
• Roadmap of technologies / processes / applications / research
• Project joint workshops
• Recommendations for research in Framework Programme-7 [and beyond]
• Dissemination of information
• Tutorials/training from nanotechnology experts to industry
• Dissemination of results of the project to the industrial, R&D and education communities through yearly conferences and the media.

Six European countries and regions are involved in the execution of MONA, under the leadership of the CEA-LETI, with input from important industry and research players like Acreo, AIXTRON, Alcatel-Thales, ASMI, the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), INTEC, OpticsValley, Schott, VDI Technologiezentrum (VDI TZ), and Yole Développement.

The MONA project contributes directly to the development of synergies between photonics/nanophotonics and nanomaterials/nanotechnologies. The challenge of mastering nano-electronics and nano-photonics science and technologies at an industrial scale (i.e. aiming at low cost mass production capability) is of utmost strategic importance for the competitiveness of the European industry in a global context. Through the cooperative work between equipment manufacturers, nanotechnologies and photonics experts, MONA will help to identify and address the most critical manufacturing issues. This will ensure the building of a strategic comprehensive approach for the key technologies in order to profit from this highly important area for the European Union.