NANOFAB · Development of a world class nanofabrication research facility at CRANN

Final Activity Report Summary - NANOFAB (Development of a world class nanofabrication research facility at CRANN)

The Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN) is the leading Irish nanoscience institute with research teams based at Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. Prior to the our MC TOK programme within CRANN there existed a knowledge gap and infrastructure deficit in the areas of world-class nanofabrication, magnetics and nanobiology. Under the NANOFAB programme support by EU funding, four MCF were based in CRANN to champion key initiatives to address this knowledge shortfall and participate in key collaborative research projects. The areas identified aligned to CRANN strategic requirements offering strong research potential for the research fellows involving nanostructure materials: magnetic and spin, nanomaterials characterisation: devices and structures, nanobiology: materials handling and manipulation. The NANOFAB programme provided transfer of knowledge and research outputs leading to the following achievements: The successful development and expansion of the CRANN Central Equipment facility (CEF) and direct support by MCF in addressing the technical requirements and training of our researchers in key thematic areas: including nano processing, nano fabrication and device characterisation. CRANN's CEF is now fully operational and supporting academic and industry both nationally and internationally - enabling the CRANN community deliver over seventy company engagements, 40 European industry partners and 150 academic collaborations world-wide. The embedding of new research skills in our Institute leading to the engagement of the MC fellows in integrated research projects, strengthening these programmes and providing the fellows with valuable research experience and links with our main industry and academic partners. Providing a significant contribution as part of a CRANN support team to firstly help commission and then operate the state-of-the-art nanofabrication facilities in CRANN - from the development and installation of key infrastructure equipment, to the transfer of skills followed by the active participation of the fellows in CRANN research projects. Specifically commissioning, installing and training for electron beam lithography and SEM, delivering a BioNano laboratory (Type II Biohazard), biomaterials handling to include protein-DNA constructs and protein purification methodologies and cleanroom commissioning and design. Through infrastructural support and technical up skilling of CRANN researchers, the NANOFAB fellow have directly contributed to CRANN's strategy in delivering (i) world class research for Europe and (ii) growing our participation in European Activities. For CRANN to be competitive and offer sustainable partnerships to European industry and academia- access to a CEF and the expertise provided through programmes like NANOFAB are seen as essential. In terms of research outputs, NANOFAB MCF co-authored 19 Publications in 13 peer reviewed journals working across 8 CRANN Principal Investigator teams. In 6 cases these publication involved multiple PI engagements. Total number of co-authors across all publication outputs is 57 across 21 institutes in 9 countries (6 European, 3 international). NANOFAB research provided 2 invention disclosures, 1 x national (IE) and 1x international patent application (US, EPO). The participation of fellows (representing CRANN and the MC programme) at 27 events during the lifetime of the project - including national and international conferences, workshops (industry & academia) and a TCD commercialisation showcase. The personal and professional development of the MCF through participating in world-class research programmes within the CRANN academic community and the engagement with high profile enterprises such as Intel. MCF gained support and experience in European Grant applications and participation in education programmes gaining new qualifications. Finally, MCF have raised the awareness of Nano science, the MC programme, through national media coverage, directly engaged with senior Irish ministers and gone on to participate in high profile research such as parabolic flights with the European Space Agency.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union