Can Open Access Centres Accelerate the Commercialisation of New Micro- and Nano- Technologies?

摘要

Micro- and Nano- technologies have the potential to be used in products for a vast breadth of markets ranging from niche sectors such as military and aerospace to high volume sectors such as food, FMCG, automotive, chemical etc. One of the challenges for a new technology entering high volume markets is the investment needed to scale it up to high volume production. This paper will look at open access centres as one solution to the scale up of technologies from R+ D to manufacturing for high volume products. The role and design of technology specific open access facilities will be considered.