CRANN hosts first Irish-Italian Nanotechnology Workshop

Posted on: 15 June 2007

CRANN, Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices at TCD, hosted a nanotechnology workshop on 9 June in association with I.C.E. (Italian Trade Commission) and the Italian Embassy. The aim of the workshop was to establish collaborative links in the field of nanotechnology between CRANN and the Italian research centre participants.

Opened by His Excellency Lucio Alberto Savoia, Italian Ambassador to Ireland and Prof Ian Robertson, Dean of Research, TCD, the workshop was run in conjunction with the ongoing Festival Italiano.

The Ambassador expressed his hope that this was not a one off event, and that it would lead to future meetings. Prof Ian Robertson, in his speech, highlighted CRANN as one of TCD’s and SFI’s major investments. “It is essential for European research centres to develop strong links with each other, to allow us to compete with the US and China,” he said. He highlighted this workshop as a small but tangible link in that chain of European research centres focusing on excellence.

In addition, bilateral discussions took place between CRANN and Civen – an association between the University of Padova and the University Ca’ Foscari of Venezia and University of Verona devoted to the promotion of research and training activities in the field of nanotechnology – to establish a student exchange programme. Prof Patrick Prendergast, TCD Dean of Graduate Studies, highlighted the proposed introduction of a teaching element to research degrees in Ireland.

Speakers at the workshop included Prof John Boland, CRANN Director, Dr Pietro Busnardo, Scientific Director of the International Masters in Nanotechnology in Civen, Dr Salvatore Timpanaro, Scientific Advisor with ASTER Science Technology Business, Mr Gerard Fenner Enterprise Ireland Industrial Technologies Unit, Dr Antoniette Rizzo, NANOFABER Executive Director and Dr Kamal Abdali, SFI.

The event was organised by Dr Adriele Prina-Mello (CRANN Research Fellow), Ms.
Keelin Murphy (CRANN Educational and Outreach Manager) and Dr. Andrea Maccanico (Director of ICE Dublin). The workshop was sponsored by ICE, and Italian SMEs based in Ireland, Ada, Kelmer, Rottapharm and Zannini Ireland.