Research activities in Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences: an analysis of Piedmont's nanotech research system

Nanotechnologies and nanosciences are since the end of the 20th century a relevant scientific and technological field. Nanotechnologies are widely exploited in industrial innovation in several industries, due to their pervasive nature. Being a highly knowledge-content field nanotechnologies deeply rely on the results of nanoscience research. This work presents the results of a survey, conducted with both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, on the nanoscience research activities performed in the research institutions of the north Italian Region of Piedmont. In order to perform a quantitative analysis scientific products belonging to each of the Universities and Public Research Organisations have been retrieved exploiting a specific methodology, and the analysed. The qualitative analysis has been realised conducting an impressive number of interview to researchers and university professor. The aim is to present a complete panorama of researches in this specific topic, with the aim of contributing to the analysis of the local nanotechnology and nanosciences regional system of innovation. At the end of the paper, results are commented, and conclusions are drawn.