Introduction

Several important societal and economic world problems can be addressed bythe smart use of technology. The past 40 years have witnessed therealization of computational systems and networks, rooted in our ability tocraft complex integrated circuits out of billions of electronic devices.Nowadays, the ability to master materials at the molecular level and theirinteraction with living matter opens up unforeseeable horizons. Networkingbiological sensors through body-area, ad hoc and standardcommunication networks boosts the intrinsic power of local measurements, andallows us to reach new standards in health management. The Swiss Nano-Teraprogram addresses applications of nanotechnologies to health management, andit has been instrumental in fostering research and innovation in thisdomain.

The Nano-Tera program

Nano-Tera addresses system engineering research that leverages micro-, nano-,information, and communication technologies. The broad objectives of theprogram are both to improve quality of life and security of people acrossdifferent levels of education, wealth and age, and eventually to createinnovative products, technologies and manufacturing methods, thus resultingin job and revenue creation. Although the principal application domains arehealth and environment, energy and security issues are also investigated assupport areas. The intrinsic value of the underlying research is to bridgetraditional disciplines, including electrical engineering,micro/nano-mechanical systems engineering, biomedical sciences, andcomputer/communication sciences, with the objectives of (i) deepeningthe understanding of enabling technologies, (ii) reducing scientificconcepts to practice, and (iii) mastering the novel challenges of designinglarge-scale complex systems.