2004 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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University of Ulster, Jordanstown, & Queen's University Belfast
Robert Brown, James McLaughlin, Brian Meenan, Eric McAdams, Paul Maguire, Harold Gamble, Robert Bowman & Amilra De Silva
Joint UU – QUB Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology research in Northern Ireland has been given a boost by the establishment of a unique, joint Centre of Excellence between the Province's two universities. Nanotec NI, as the new group will be known, is a world-class centre for the design, fabrication, characterisation and commercial exploitation of nanotechnology processes, devices and systems. It brings together leading researchers from the UU and QUB, government agencies, and various Northern Ireland industries, in a strategic partnership involving £11M to date of EU (PEACE ll) and University funding.


Nanotechnology research in action

Northern Ireland currently has a community of over 150 nanotechnology researchers based in its two major universities and industry, representing a significant block of the wider nanoscience research capability across the UK. The correlation between a strong research base and economic development is well recognised, and the economic benefits of investment in research can clearly be seen in the work of a number of companies based in Northern Ireland.


Major Research Themes

Nanoelectronics and sensors: Nano- & microelectronic devices, high density interconnects, lab-on-a-chip fluidics, photonic materials and nano-optics, bio-sensors, molecu-lar logic devices, molecular nanosensors.

Nanomaterials and coatings: Magnetic storage media, nanostructured media technology, electroceramics and ferroelectrics, diamond-like carbon, electro-chemical characterisation and coating, photocatalysis, dense plasma processing.

Nanoscale surface and interface science and simulation: Scanning probe microscopies, electron & ion microscopies, surface analytical techniques, atomistic simulation, plasma systems modelling.

Molecular self-assembly: Nanoscale chemistry, nanoparticles, supramolecular chemistry.

Nanoscale biotechnology: Tissue engineering, nanostructured biosurfaces, drug delivery systems, molecular microscopy, immobilisation strategies.


Knowledge Transfer

A key aspect of the work of Nanotec NI and its partners will be to focus on the route to commercialisation for the various activities at Queen's and UU. There is already strong NI industrial support for nanotechnology research. Over 20 locally sited companies are actively supporting nanotechnology research. Their products vary from pharmaceuticals to military systems, and their sizes range from start-ups to multi-nationals.

Nanotec NI will actively pursue the commercial opportunities that nanotechnology is opening up, and seek through various business models, including licensing and spin outs, to further develop the economic infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

The Vision and Aims of Nanotec NI are to develop new industries in Northern Ireland and elsewhere – and also achieve global impact for the extensive nanotechnology research and development activities that already exist within Northern Ireland.

Contact: Professor Robert Brown, Director of Nanotec NI;
Tel: 44 (0) 2890 972541; E-mail: [email protected] ; Web: www.nanotecni.com