Nanotechnology is a cross-section technology. Over three decades, nanotechnology and its numerous applications have found their way into the most different branches. Today, life without nanotechnology is hardly imaginable. Many nano networks and representations of interest have already been established. Now, competences shall be centrally bundled and organized under a common umbrella. On  November 3th, the Deutscher Verband Nanotechnologie e.V. (German Association of Nanotechnology) was founded in Saarbrücken. It understands itself as a channel and network of all players from the scientific, economic and political, but also the media and administrative scene using or promoting nanosciences and -technologies.

One main topic of the DV-Nano is to optimally cross-link its members and to have an experts´ dialogue. This is assured by the installation of workgroups and expert committees working on scientific, organizational and branch-related questions, and by an exchange of opinions at reunions, workshops and congresses. Experts and interested non-specialists alike are invited to participate at the working teams `Policy`, `Education`, `Communication`, `Security` and `Nanomaterials`.

Experts estimate that about 70,000 people in Germany are presently working in the nano scientific and nano technological sectors, including roughly 10,000 jobs at universities and independent research institutes as well as roughly 60,000 jobs in - mainly medium-sized - nano companies.