Paving the way for nanotechnology research across the globe, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) was officially inaugurated Friday, pushing Europe to the forefront of the field. Among those in attendance were the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I; the president of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva; the president of the Government of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero; and the Prime Minister of Portugal, José Sócrates.

During the last two years, the INL has established strategic partnerships with prestigious research centers and universities around the world, including partnerships in the U.S. with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Texas and the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The INL has identified projects in four priority areas: nanomedicine, environment monitoring, food quality control and security, nanoelectronics and nanomanipulation.

INL is planning to add 200 researchers and will accept applications from across the globe. It is now opening membership to other countries in the world.

“Combining human capital with technology and knowledge, INL will work on a strategy focused on results, taking advantage of its international legal status to deliver outcomes of value,” said José Rivas, INL’s Director-General. “We believe that with the contribution of all, we can spread top level scientific results around the world that impact the economy and society.”

The INL is the first laboratory in Europe dedicated to nanotechnology and the first international research organization in any scientific area in the Iberian Peninsula. INL is a joint initiative of the governments of Portugal and Spain and was declared in November 2005.

Nanotechnology, which has an enormous potential impact in numerous fields of science and applications such as medicine, industry and others, is considered by the European Union (EU) to be a key strategic driver for future economic and social development; helping to increase competitiveness of key industries. This is also reflected by the EU Member states, which have earmarked a total of 3.5 billion Euros (approximately $5 billion USD) for funding nanotechnology over the duration of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (2007-2013).

The construction of the laboratory is supported in equal parts by Portuguese and Spanish funds including partial support of European Community regional development funds from the Transborder Portugal-Spain Cooperation Programme (POCTEP 2007-2013) and the Portugal North Region Operational Programme (PO NORTE).