Forfás report - Nanotechnology Commercialsation Framework

The Forfás report on Ireland’s Nanotechnology Commercialisation Framework 2010-2014 was launched by Minister for Science Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan, TD last week. CRANN welcomed the report on its recognition of the importance of Nanotechnology as a powerful growth engine for the Irish economy.

The report presents a national framework to position Ireland as a knowledge and innovation centre for certain niche areas of nanotechnology. Ireland has only been investing seriously in research for just over 10 years, yet is delivering world class research when it comes to nanotechnology. Welcoming the report, Minister Lenihan said: “Government has invested wisely in nanotechnology in recent years and Ireland now has a world-class nanotechnology infrastructure. Facilities of research excellence were established and upgraded in CRANN in TCD and Tyndall in UCC.”

There have already been substantial returns on the investment to date in CRANN, in terms of quality of research output, success in securing competitive non-exchequer funding and collaboration with a range of industry partners. CRANN is the primary driver for Ireland’s global ranking of sixth in terms of both the quality of its publications and the volume output per capita. Over the last academic year, CRANN has secured over €8m in non-exchequer funding. This has included competitive wins to lead European projects. For example, CRANN in partnership with Intel, is leading a European consortium focussed on the development of the next generation of electronic chip which will drive faster, lighter and more efficient computers, mobile phones and home gaming machines.

Nanotechnology is already impacting many Irish businesses, particularly in the ICT, medical devices and biopharmaceutical sectors. CRANN is involved in collaborative research projects or contract research with over thirty companies across these sectors.

At the launch, Minister Lenihan announced the establishment of a nanotechnology coordinating group to manage and oversee the implementation of the nanotechnology policy recommended in the Forfás report. CRANN’s Executive Director Dr Diarmuid O’Brien said, “I look forward to contributing to this group and helping to bring the benefits of the commercialisation of Nanotechnology to the Irish economy."

The full report can be downloaded from the Forfás website

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