Researchers at CRANN have discovered a new concept in sensor-development. The research provides a completely new platform for the development of sensors worldwide and will lead to low-energy, remotely powered sensors that have greater detection capacity than those currently available.

Students from St. Michael’s Loreto, Navan and Killarney Community College have been awarded prizes in the CRANN ‘Design your Nano Superhero’ competition.

A Multidisciplinary team at Trinity College Dublin from the School of Medicine and CRANN, the Science Foundation Ireland funded nanoscience institute, has developed a new screening approach to test the safety of nanomaterials and their effects on human cells. This research, which will have a significant impact across the many industries that utilise nanotechnology, was published in leading Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group) earlier this year.

Professor John Boland, Director of CRANN, the SFI-funded nanoscience institute based at Trinity College Dublin, and a Professor in the School of Chemistry has been awarded a €2.5 million research grant by the European Research Council (ERC). This is the second only Advanced ERC grant ever awarded in Physical Sciences in Ireland. The Award will see Professor Boland and his team continue world-leading research into how nanowire networks can lead to a range of smart materials, sensors and digital memory applications.

As part of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council, Dublin will host EuroNanoForum 2013, the largest nanotechnology conference in Europe on 18-20 June in the Convention Centre Dublin. Organised by Enterprise Ireland and Spinverse ltd, the conference will focus on the impact of nanotechnology in improving people’s lives, especially in the key societal sectors of health, energy and environment. The conference concides with Nanoweek which runs from the 14-21st of June 2013.