Current Activities

IoN staff are working on many different projects, but are presently focusing their efforts in a few key areas.

NanoChina

The bi-lingual NanoChina.cn website (www.nanochina.cn) was launched in early February 2006, to coincide with the Chinese New Year celebrations. NanoChina.cn provides a wide range of market-specific nanotechnology information services for businesses, researchers and the public sector in China.

Published in English and Chinese, the website acts as a bridge between nanotechnology activities taking place in China and in the rest of the world. It disseminates information and fosters the creation of nano-business networking opportunities. So visitors to the NanoChina website can use the high quality information services that are provided to help them start networking and growing business relationships with the nanotechnology sector in China.

In summary, the aim of NanoChina is to become the most informative and up-to-date information provider and facilitator of activities related to nanotechnology in China that exists, at both national and global level.

Contact Andrew Stewart: andrew.stewart@nano.org.uk

NanoMedicine Network

The Institute of Nantechnology, Europe's major nanotechnolgy information centre, has identified the importance of bringing together key players in nanomedicine, providing them with a means of networking with each other, and involving them in the development of future research programmes and projects. As a result, the Nanomedicine Network has been launched, supported by the Institute of Nanotechnology. The Network will aim to relect and report on the interests of its members and other site visitors.

Contact Richard Moore: richard.moore@nano.org.uk or Tiju Joseph: tiju.joseph@nano.org.uk

Europe's Premier Information Network

Nanoforum is an information network that is fully funded by the EU and reaches out to all of Europe. It serves as a framework for all nanotechnology activities across Europe. It provides the nanocommunity with easy access to specially commissioned up-to-the minute reports, information on new nanotechnology developments, funding and partnership opportunities. Nanoforum partners organize events throughout Europe focussed on industrial applications of nanotechnology, such as smart materials and medical devices. Education and training is also an important area, and the Nanoforum partners organize an annual Summer School, held in a different European location each year. Nanoforum can now justifiably claim to be the premier European nanotechnology knowledge network.

Contact Mark Morrison:mark.morrison@nano.org.uk

ENTA

The Institute has recently launched the European Nanotechnology Trade Alliance (ENTA). Many companies have expressed a need for an organization that represents the interests of nanotechnology businesses across Europe. The aim of ENTA is to act as a bridge between national and regional governments and companies, interface with the public and ensure that member organizations develop new nanotechnologies in a safe and responsible manner.

Contact Del Stark:del.stark@euronanotrade.com

The Club for New Nano and Micro Businesses

From its work with start-ups, the Institute identified a need by new, fragile nano and microtechnology businesses for mentoring, networking and contact with potential customers and investors. It met that need by establishing a club for these companies - the NanoMicroClub. The club gives start-up companies an opportunity to network with each other and the specialists, business advisors, and technology end users, thus helping ensure their survival. After its succesful pilot over the last twelve months in the UK, the aim is to franchise the idea across Europe in the first instance and later to the Far East.

Contact Del Stark:del.stark@nano.org.uk

Nanoposts

Nanoposts.com is an Institute of Nanotechnology (IoN) spin-out company. It is the only online tool available that allows you to access the latest leading-edge research and development in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Nanoposts.com also provides technology scouting and consultancy services for government bodies and some of the world's leading multinational companies

Contact Andy Garland: andy.garland@nanoposts.com

Nanotechnology Masters Courses Directory and Recognition Scheme

The IoN has developed the Nanotechnology Masters Courses Directory and Recognition Scheme in collaboration with a consortium of course-providing academics and industry representatives. Many international Institutions are now also participating in the scheme.

Nanotechnology Masters Courses each vary in their emphasis and content, and the NanoMasters Course Website provides a means for prospective students to search for details of Nano Masters Courses of specific interest to them. To compare all courses, please go to the summary page.

Contact Kshitij Singh: kshitij.singh@nano.org.uk

The IoN and the IET: A joint venture

The IoN and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have created a joint Microsystems and Nanotechnology (MNT) Network to share knowledge and promote the understanding and application of nanotechnology.

The IET already operates a Microsystems and Nanotechnology Network and is looking to revitalise its activities in the nanotechnology space; and the IoN firmly believes that by uniting its extensive network of members with those of the IET a substantial community of interest will be created, accelerating the progress of nano and micro technologies to the benefit of UK plc.

A joint IoN – IET Executive Team consisting of experts in the field from both industry and academia has been established that will outline the scope of the MNT Network, set its objectives and develop the programme for the future.

Ottilia Saxl, chief executive officer of the IoN said: “By bringing together the members of the IET and IoN that share a common interest in nano and micro technologies, we will create a group of highly qualified individuals who will not only learn about leading edge developments in this fast growing field, but will also contribute to them.”

Robin McGill, chief executive of the IET said: “This is an exciting joint initiative in a fast growing and very important area of technology. Both organisations will retain their independence but by working together we will be able to create a global community who can not only share knowledge but stage dynamic and important events.”

Overseas Links

The Institute’s activities are continuing on the European front, but it is extending its reach to new countries and continents in an effort to foster nanotechnology developments and partnerships all over the globe.

With her great interest in collaboration, IoN CEO Ottilia Saxl’s aim to advance nanotechnology beyond the Western world has recently led to collaborations with similar organizations in Japan, Korea, Australia and China. “We have developed great relationships with these countries and we’re working on closer links with other countries,” she says. “There has been a huge investment from the global community in nanotechnology and we are now in the first stages of seeing tangible benefits.” The current emphasis is on new biomedical and engineering applications, but she also envisages ecological developments that could provide environmentally-friendly energy for the less-developed countries and allow for more conservational manufacturing practices.