LIST’s nanotechnologies presented in Iran

At the end of November 2017, the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) participated in two major events in the field of nanomaterials in Western Asia and more precisely in Iran.

LIST was represented by Dr Arno Gutleb, expert in environmental health research, who participated in the "Asia-EU dialogue on nanosafety and nanocertification" workshop, organized by the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC) held in Tehran. He was invited by INIC to take part in this event co-organized with the help of Asia Nano Forum (ANF) and the research and innovation department of the European Commission. The aim was to exchange information, knowledge and experience as well as sharing resources. It also targeted towards enhanced coordination among major players from EU and Asia with the hope of harmonization of programs and regulations related to nanosafety and certification.

Dr Gutleb gave an oral presentation about the programs, achievements and strategies of Luxembourg related to nanosafety and nanocertification activities. He focused on the H2020 funded project npSCOPE which is coordinated by LIST's department Materials Research and Technology (MRT) and in which a new type of microscope will be developed to localize nanomaterials in organic material following uptake.

Right after this workshop, Dr Gutleb was part of the scientific committee’s international members of the 2nd Nanomedicine & Nanosafety Conference (NMNS 2017) in Tehran. The conference aimed at covering all medical and safety aspects of nanomaterials in human, animals and environment. In this context, LIST’s representative was able to present the activities in the field of nanotechnology and nanosafety in Luxembourg.

This business trip to Iran, that has become a global leader and is currently the 4th most publishing country in the field of nanotechnology, provided insight in their research activities, the public outreach to pupils and students and especially into standardization approached under ISO. Iran is considered a Widening Country under the H2020 scheme and the contacts may lead from invitations into applications in the future.