New exhibition unites people and ideas

The 1st European Research and Innovation Exhibition – the Salon Européen de la Recherche et de l’Innovation – took place in Paris on 3-5 June 2005 under the patronage of Jacques Chirac, president of France. The aim of the exhibition, which is to become an annual event, is to provide a place for players from a broad sector of activities to come together, creating a crossroads where people and ideas from both the public sector and the corporate world can meet. This year, the 130 exhibitors included CERN, the Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules (IN2P3) of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and the Dapnia laboratory of the Commissariat á l’Energie Atomique, who together presented a stand showing examples of technology transfer.

Jean Audouze, senior CNRS researcher, is the founder and chairman of the exhibition’s Scientific Committee. Consisting of scientific leaders in the world of research and innovation, this committee is responsible for the programme of events, in particular conferences and round-table discussions. Audouze himself has had a great deal of experience in communicating physics on the highest and broadest levels, as scientific adviser to the president of France (1989-1993) and as director of Paris’s well known science museum, the Palais de la Découverte (1998-2004).

How would you describe the role of research today, in the World Year of Physics?

Research is the driving force behind economic, cultural and social progress. The French government, much as the other European polit­ical leaders, has set a goal of devoting 3% of gross domestic prod­uct to research and development by 2010. Together, France and Europe are actively preparing for the future to meet the dynamic momentum of countries like the US, China and Japan, with whom competition is already very fierce. According to the OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development], gross domestic expenditure on research and development by member countries amounted to over $650 billion in 2001. The countries of the European Union contributed about $185 billion of this amount. France spent about $31 billion on research and development, which places it in second position in Europe and fourth worldwide, behind the US, Japan and Germany. Many researchers have started their own companies since 1999. Business incubators are playing a crucial role in the development of new companies, assisted by organi­zations that provide financing specifically for the creation of innov­ative companies. The biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors are at present leading in terms of the creation of new businesses

Can you explain the event’s objectives?

The exhibition combined information from fundamental research with its applications. It provided an opportunity for researchers, public and private institutions, universities and the top engineering and business schools in France (les grandes écoles), industrial and commercial companies, R&D departments, incubators, financing organizations, laboratory suppliers, local governments, technology parks (technopoles), research associations and foundations to meet. They could present their activities, develop contacts to encourage professional development, discuss the establishment of new projects, start new partnerships, and negotiate financing for new businesses or research programmes.

What was the outcome of the three days?

The final balance is very positive. A total of around 24,000 people attended the event. In addition, the presence of many visitors at the conferences, at the round tables concerning the European research programme and the diffusion of scientific culture in Europe, and at events with the participation of the Nobel laureates in physics has shown the strong interest the public has in scientific topics.

How have politicians reacted to the measures required to maximize the value of scientific research?

The politicians have responded well to the scientists’ needs, indeed a few programmes have received specific financing allocations. They appreciated the creative way the technological developments were presented to the public, and the debates on social impact to arouse awareness of the importance of science for everyday life.

What is the outlook for continuing the dialogue in research, education and industrial promotion?

The perspective for the future is to make this event an annual rendezvous with the participation of other European institutions and national stands.

The World Year of Physics 2005 is an international celebration of physics. Events throughout the year have been highlighting the vitality of physics and its importance in the coming millennium, and have commemorated Einstein’s pioneering contributions in 1905. How can the World Year of Physics bring the excitement and impact of physics, science and research to the public?

I am convinced that the World Year of Physics has been a success in terms of popularizing physics and in conveying enthusiasm for the subject among a large public. In each country, and especially in France, many very exciting events were set up with that goal and have attracted quite big audiences. We astrophysicists have a project to make 2009, the 400th anniversary of the use of the astronomical lens by Galileo, the World Year of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

How can worldwide collaborations and fundamental research laboratories such as CERN, CNRS and Dapnia inspire future generations of scientists?

This inspiration is induced by at least two factors: first, CERN, CNRS and Dapnia are involved in the most exciting aspects of fundamental research, e.g. the very nature of matter and the universe; second, their research programmes are planned for the coming decades: the forthcoming operation of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and projects like VIRGO (which aims to detect gravitational waves) for CNRS and Dapnia should be very enticing for European newcomers to science.

• The CERN, IN2P3 and Dapnia stand showed examples of technology transfer and was prepared by CERN’s Technology Transfer and Communication groups. In addition, CERN’s Daniel Treille gave a talk “Miroirs brisés, antimatière disparue, mati&egravere cachée: le CERN mène l’enquête”.