It might not be the North Pole, and there might not be any Polar Bears in the streets, but at least the city of Hammerfest is the northernmost city in the world; lying at 70° 39′ 48″ north. That means about as far north as Barrow, Alaska, for those of you in the Americas.
Even this far north, nanotechnology has become a field to be reckoned with. Specially after the EUCAT/Cientifica based seminar on technological challenges within the fishing industry, the energy sector, and computing, held in Hammerfest on February 18th.
Present were representatives from academic sectors and local business development who had spirited discussions during the 6 hour long session together with EUCAT/Cientifica.
That fishing is important for a coastal arctic town, should come as no surprise, but also within the energy sector Hammerfest is becoming an important location though Statoil’s Snøhvit (Snow White) project.
After spending an interesting couple of days with friendly people, we can only look forward to our next visit in March, when we’re also going to Kirkenes and across the border to Murmansk