This lecture introduces the Nano-Tera program, a Swiss research initiative focusing on health, environment, and energy applications. The program, involving various institutions and industrial partners, emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration to develop innovative concepts and systems. Starting in 2008, Nano-Tera's second phase aims to enhance healthcare technologies, particularly through the involvement of PhD students in translating research into practical solutions. The lecture showcases examples of successful projects, such as a device for real-time monitoring of vital signs in intensive care patients, highlighting the program's impact on advancing research ideas into tangible outcomes.