Home        PURPOSE   The purpose of this initiative is to foster the generation, transfer and utilization of knowledge, especially the utilization of new materials and new technologies towards life - oriented applications (biology, health, food etc.). The activities will be multidisciplinary. Not only research, but also education and industry will be involved. OBJECTIVES   The usual electronic dissemination of information through web pages and e-newsletter will be accompanied by the set-up of databases and electronic brokerage.   New tools for the management of information (e-room type) will be used for special projects.   Education and training will deserve a special attention. Both conventional learning activities (including "hands-on training" and training by research) and e-learning will be pursued.   Encyclopedias and courses will be developed by involving active researchers.   The exchange of information between research and industry will facilitate innovation. DISTINCT FEATURES  NanoLINK is conceived as a two-way LINK between life and innovation in technology (based on scientific knowledge): technology improves life quality through health care, food control etc.; meantime living matter is a source of inspiration for engineering.  NanoLINK is intended to provide a real-time LINK between research, education and industry, which is vital for the knowledge era, by using efficient tools for knowledge management.  NanoLINK will also provide an efficient LINK between countries and continents, especially revealing the human potential of certain regions less developed from the technological point of view. The initial target is to accelerate the integration of Eastern Europe into the European Research Area (ERA), but apart from connections within Europe, interaction with the major actors from other continents will be also pursued. A NETWORK OF NETWORKS  NanoLINK will be promoted by a knowledge network pursuing life quality through technological innovation (LINK=Life quality through Innovation by a Network of Knowledge.).  NanoLINKnet will be a network of networks, each constitutive network being based, usually, on an existing project (e. g. a Network of Excellence financed from FP6).