Introduction

CRANN’s strengths in fundamental nanoscience research provide a successful platform for engaging with industry partners. With research activities covering most of nanoscience, CRANN researchers are pioneering developments in several key and emerging areas such as organic and molecular spintronics, flexible electronics, nanoscale polymer imprint, ultra-sensitive bio-sensors and nanoscale metrology. Each year CRANN researchers publish over 150 peer review articles, many of which appear in high impact journals. In just the past six year, the average CRANN publication has been cited 13 times, which is exceptional by international standards. CRANN material science research has now been identified by Science Watch as having the most cited publications in this area.

CRANN’s ten industry partners include several well known multinationals (Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Boston Scientific) and a number of small to medium sized indigenous companies (e.g., Creganna). CRANN-industry projects are designed to exploit the technical expertise of the PIs and the unique facilities available within the institute. With Intel, CRANN is developing wafer scalable processes to fabricate sub 10 nm device structures, in addition to providing the know-how for next generation SRAM technologies with a magnetic memory cell that retains information even when the device is switched off. In the case of Hewlett-Packard, CRANN is developing a technology platform that will enable flexible displays and ultimately electronic paper. CRANN is now a world leader in flexible electronics materials and is seeking to exploit this know-how in the energy sector.

Over the past three years CRANN has completed the development of its new facilities. The PIs have built out their research teams and are producing high quality research, patents and the first spin-out.

Our numbers of industry partners have grown from two to ten, and we are beginning to see the first tangible outcomes from these partnership. CRANN is now well positioned to deliver on its mission to deliver world leading research and innovation in nanoscience and nanotechnology.