Merging Optics and Nanotechnologies is a project begun by the European Commission to maintain Europe’s competitiveness in the photonics and nanotechnology markets by increasing collaboration among researchers. MONA, as the project is called, has three goals: to create a common site for the exchange of information about research and integrated projects; to promote timely exchange of scientific results, market development and technology needs; and to develop a plan for photonics and nanotechnologies in Europe.

The project leader, the French Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique’s Laboratoire d’Electronique de Technologie de l’Information (CEA-LETI), plans to conduct market surveys, create guidelines and make recommendations for future research. The group hopes to encourage the dissemination of information and results through conferences and workshops.

CEA-LETI is a government-funded technological research organization in Grenoble, France. Six European countries and several industry and research leaders are contributing to the project.