Fostering co-operation among industrial enterprises and research organizations, the EUREKA Σ!-SURF action is directed at developing new, application oriented, industrially viable technologies in the focal area of surface engineering for implementation in resource efficient, sustainable production, products and services along the entire value chain.

European manufacturing activities and associated services are essential in ensuring the sustainable global competitivity of our open EU economy. Material technologies play a dominant role for economic growth and a sustainable society. As every interaction of matter with its environment goes via its surface, advanced surface engineering and related nanotechnologies represent key technologies for achieving the latter.

Indeed, novel surface engineering is essential for meeting Europe’s sustainability objectives, e.g. for improved photovoltaics for energy generation, batteries for electric cars, materials for low-energy computing, nanocatalysts for energy efficient chemical processing, cleaning of air and water,  and dynamic nano-solid lubricant films for transport and power generation efficiency – just to mention a few highly relevant areas.

The Σ!-SURF Umbrella action will run from 2010-2015 and its formal kick-off was organized on 14 December 2010 at ESE, starting with 25 active partners from 11 countries.