Nanotechnology Research – Initiatives, Networks and Associations

Team AVNP, a closely linked and complementary team of University and Industrial Partners, proposes to accelerate rapidly the development and commercialisation of an innovative new health product - an anti-viral nanomaterial targeted initially at pandemic viruses such as H5N1 Bird Flu, but with potential to be a broad spectrum antiviral material.

Until now, there has been no single organisation providing a seamless concept-to-market route for the emerging bio-nanotechnology sector. The UK's new Bio Nano Centre takes the lead by leveraging £50M of new investment in the London Centre for Nanotechnology and the Imperial Institute for Biomedical Engineering coupled to London's vast medical research complex to deliver rapid lab-to-prototype development services. The Bio Nano Centre completes the value chain for companies seeking to rapidly develop, prototype and commercialise new biomedical products by providing a range of high-value infrastructure and capabilities.

BBSRC is the UK's leading funding agency for academic research and training in the non-clinical life sciences. It supports several Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations (IRC) in nanotechnology.

CENS is a collaboration between the University of Durham and CENAMPS, the North East's Centre of Excellence in nano, microelectronic and photonic systems.

The main driver for the industrial consortium DOMINO is the need to establish design methods for the manufacture of novel dispersed nano-particulate products, allowing the rapid implementation of processes to manufacture predictable products, which meet rigorous quality standards.

The EMERGNANO project has been commissioned by Defra in the UK to capture and critically appraise the emerging evidence concerning the health and environmental risks of nanomaterials.

The UK Government's leading funding agency for research and training in engineering and the physical sciences has a section on nanotechnology.

Supported by companies such as Procter and Gamble, BP International, Thomas Swan & Co., Nexia Solutions, Imerys, SmartBead Technologies and LOT-Oriel, the European Nanotechnology Trade Alliance, ENTA, has recently been created to represent the interests of nanotechnology businesses across Europe. It will act to bridge the gap between industry, governments, science, and importantly, the public. Its aim is to promote the benefits of nanotechnology, while supporting all actions that ensure new nanotechnologies are developed in a safe and responsible manner.

The IoN works closely with governments, universities, researchers, and companies worldwide on developing and promoting all aspects of nanotechnology. It also serves as a key organizer of international scientific events, conferences, and educational courses designed to encourage nanotechnology takeup by industry, as well as stimulating interest in less developed countries.

The IRC is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, University College London and the University of Bristol. The IRC will provide an underpinning interdisciplinary activity in Nanotechnology with the theme of understanding and controlling the physical properties of nanostructures and devices by fabrication at single molecule precision. The primary aim is to establish the IRC as an Internationally leading centre for Nanotechnology