A campus for technological innovation : from MINATEC to GIANT

In 2000, the CEA, which was already a pioneer in applied research with its LETI laboratory in Grenoble dedicated to electronics and information technologies, created MINATEC, a micro and nanotechnologies innovation campus which brings together large numbers of people and encourages transfers between fundamental research and industry. In 2006, this concept was expanded and a so-called 'French M.I.T.', named GIANT (Grenoble Innovation for Advanced New Technologies), was created specialising in research covering six major fields : new energy technologies, biotechnologies, microtechnologies, nanotechnologies, nanoscience, and technology management. In order to attract competent people, GIANT's priority is not only the quality of the scientific environment it provides, but also the landscaping and development of the two hundred and fifty hectare site it occupies in Grenoble's Scientific Polygon park. GIANT is both an important project in terms of training, science, and technology, and also for lessons to be learned in city planning.