Research: who for, what for? At the dawn of the 21st century, when problems concerning the entire human race need to be solved, what exactly is the role of research? Richard Smalley, who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1996, presents his point of view.

	Nanotechnology: the fifth dimension Nanotechnology could well revolutionize our way of life. Scientist Yuri Gogotsi presents this new field, which is attracting large-scale investment throughout the world.

	Genetics: I can read you like a book The decoding of the human genome is a considerable step forward. Elias A. Zerhouni, director of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, tells Energies about some of the medical possibilities opened up by genomics.

	Developing the cars of the future… The design of tomorrow’s motor cars will factor in society’s expectations regarding pollution and energy-efficiency. The designers at French car-manufacturer Renault, for example, work to very precise and demanding specifications.

	Exploration and production: pushing the limits Faced with continuing growth in the demand for energy, oil companies are striving to access reserves that have hardly been tapped, to make new discoveries and to improve and extend production of reserves that are already known or being produced. All these challenges require technological breakthroughs, so it is R&D that will determine which companies take the laurels. May the best player win!

	Refining and marketing: a multi-faceted research program It is easy to forget that fuels, lubricants and other oil-based products, so much a part of our everyday lives, are the subject of constant research. Yet R&D is the real driving force behind the refining sector, which also takes care to optimize its manufacturing facilities. Let’s take a closer look at this technical and intellectual adventure…

	Chemicals: innovative uses for polymers The years from 1930 to 1960 were a Golden Age for the chemicals industry, with the invention of the new synthetic polymers, and R&D experienced a real boom period. Today, the main driver for innovation in both chemicals and petrochemicals is the development of new applications for such polymers.

	François de Closets: toward a “civic-minded” approach to scientific progress For several decades, faith in science – and thus in scientists – has been fading fast, and the precautionary principle is now being applied more and more often. Could this hinder human progress? Journalist and author François de Closets tells us about the turbulent history of research.

	The creatures of the abyss Several hundred fathoms beneath the sea, in a cold, dark world of crushing pressure, communities of bizarre animals have managed to survive. Discovered in the late nineteenth century, but studied only for the past thirty years, this abyssal life is beginning to divulge its secrets and provide new clues about the origins of life.