National Icons 2016: finalists
Last spring, the Minister himself gave the green light for a new search for National Icons, after a successful election in 2014. In this first edition, four National Icons were selected: cultured stem cells, Quantum Technologies, Hybrid potatoes and Bioneedle. Each icon was coupled to a Minister or State Secretary, who aims to help realize their ambitions and can act as an ambassador at international trade missions.
This edition a jury led by Hans Wijers chose 10 candidates from numerous submissions. With the election of National Icons, the Dutch government wants to highlight technological solutions for worldwide societal challenges, such as food shortage, climate change, ageing and digital security. The final National Icons will be presented on the 20th of September.
Innovations of three of the selected finalists show overlap with the mission of the Top Sector Life Science & Health: “A healthy economy for vital citizens”.
- Microsure: robot to conduct micro-chirurgical surgeries
- Synthon: tumor cell-specific treatment
- ASML: Lighthouse – cancer diagnostics without radio-active waste
The other initiatives broadly represent innovations within the view of other Top Sectors:
- Groasis: Growboxx® - production of trees and vegetables in dry areas
- REDstack: Blue Engergy – sustainable generation of energy with a fresh and salt water technique
- Talking Traffic: smart cars that predict traffic behavior
- In Ovo: animal friendly gender determination of chickens in their eggs
- Tata Steel: HIsarna – production of sustainable liquid iron
- 4Silence: Whisstone – reduction of traffic noise
- NIOO-KNAW: “Poop is gold” – raw material extraction from sanitary wastewater
For more information about the finalists see the website.
