The Technological Cluster “Micro and Nanosystems” aims at developing research, innovation and entrepreneurship capacities referring to the following areas:

• Optoelectronics, bioelectronics, biosensoristics and bioinformatics;
• Molecular and Organic Photonics;
• Power electronics on composite materials;
• Nanostructured material and devices;
• Microsystems for the integration on silicon and its complex-function compounds;
• Applications in ICT sector.

The priority objectives of the Cluster are to:

• Construct an “excellence pole”, which attracts and guides cross skilled young talents and researchers,
• Put in action cooperative research and industrial experimentation projects in the abovementioned sectors, with the purpose of attracting complementary competences both at national and international level,
• Promote the opportunities offered by Micro and Nanosystems for industrial process innovation and,
• Foster the creation of start ups in fields that avail from the advancements in Micro and Nanosystems.

The Technological Cluster’s origins are strongly linked to ST Microelectronics, a company with a leader role for the whole region due to its collaboration with the local Public Research Institutes and SMEs. The so-called Etna-Valley phenomenon is under certain aspects similar to the initial stages of the “Silicon Valley”.