Aims of activities and development of scientific network
"Magnetic Nanomaterials"

  The scientific network "MAGNETIC NANOMATERIALS", further mentioned as "Network", was established by the initiative of the Centre of Excellence "NanoCentre" at the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology. Prof. Tadeusz Kulik was authorised by the Members to represent the Network.

According to the preliminary agreements between the Members of the Network, three sub-networks were established within the Network:


• Thin films
• Soft magnetic materials
• Hard magnetic materials
  
  whose leaders are:
  
  
• Prof. Andrzej Maziewski,
• Prof. Tadeusz Kulik
• Prof. Marcin Leonowicz
  
  respectively.

The above division is aimed at the improvement of contacts between the Members of the Network, who are dealing with similar subjects.

  The research carried out by the Members of the Network are consistent with the priorities of the third subject area of the 6 Framework Programme: "Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences" and "Knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices". In particular, an important result of the co-operation will be the elaboration of specialised magnetic materials tailored to individual applications, characterised by high efficiency of energy conversion.

In accordance with the principles of 6 Framework Programme, the main goals of "Magnetic Nanomaterials" Network are:

• co-ordination of activities of research centres
• permanent integration of research centres' capabilities, taking into account their research specialisation
• aggregation of many centres' experience in the common research area and achievement of critical mass
• preparation of the national research centres (Members of the Network) to join the European Research Area (ERA)
• extension of common knowledge

The principal aims of the creation and functioning of the "Magnetic Nanomaterials" network are:

• integration and activation of Polish scientific society dealing with magnetic nanomaterials in order to increase the participation of Polish partners in the projects developed under the 6 Framework Programme of the European Union
• creation of possibilities of utilisation of 6FP main instruments, i.e. Networks of Excellence, Integrated Projects and STREP projects, by:
  - integration of national and foreign reserch groups active in the field of modern magnetic materials
  - making new contacts and gaining scientific experience by using the existing relationships of the Members of the Network with the European Centres of Excellence; this should facilitate the acquisition of know-how that would be unavailable without carrying out the common research
• transformation of the national network into a pan-European network operating in the European Research Area
• generation of intellectual and material potential of the best Polish groups carrying out research in the fields of materials science and physics
• achievement of critical mass of research groups by encouraging recognised research groups to join the network
• building of knowledge-based economy

  In the recent years, Polish scientific society was convinced that application for the projects of the 5 Framework Programme requires cooperation within the European consortia and participation in extensive thematic networks. This awareness is even stronger now, after the 6 Framework Program was launched, as the European Commission declared the will of agglomeration of the dispersed European scientific potential, and that Integrated Projects as well as Networks of Excellence would be financially supported. The Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering of Warsaw University of Technology was very successful in 5FP and gained significant experience in organisation of consortia, preparation, application and execution of projects. The evidence of successfulness of the Faculty in the international cooperation is the large number of research projects carried out together with foreign partners. At present, 24 projects are being realised, of this:

• 7 are granted by the European Union's 5FP
• 1 is financed by NATO's Science for Peace programme
• 4 are realised on the basis of inter-government agreements
• 12 are carried out in the course of direct contacts with foreign partners

  Since December 2002, in the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering operate two Centres of Excellence, acknowledged and financed by the European Union. These two Centres are: "NanoCentre" and "PRESAFE". Half of the scientific interest of NanoCentre is related to magnetic nanomaterials. The awareness of science policy in European Union, many years of experience in international co-operation and the wish of sharing the experience led to the initiative of organising the "Magnetic Nanomaterials" Network. The main aims of creation of this Network were to integrate and to increase the activity of Polish scientific groups that work in the area of magnetic nanomaterials. We expect that the statutory activities of the Network will lead to the increase of participation of Polish partners in the 6FP projects and that they will be a chance to start the successful co-operation with foreign partners for many Polish research centres and small and medium enterprises, that so far have little experience in this matter.

  The Network Founders' meeting was held in the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology on 16th January 2003.

Planned activities of the "Magnetic Nanomaterials" Network in the following 4 years

Rok 2003

Rok 2004

Rok 2005

Rok 2006