Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Multi-million pound project to use nanotechnology to improve safety

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Dr Themis Prodromakis

Abstract:
The University of Southampton has been awarded a multi-million grant from Lloyd's Register Foundation to bring together some of the world's brightest early career researchers to find new ways of using nanotechnologies to improve safety at sea, on land and in the air.

Multi-million pound project to use nanotechnology to improve safety

Southampton, UK | Posted on September 4th, 2015

Dr Themis Prodromakis, from the Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnologies Group at Southampton, is leading the Ł3m programme, which will receive match funding from partner organisations. He says: "Researchers are always looking for funding for high risk, high reward ideas. They want to collaborate with the best scientists and engineers in the world and gain access to state-of-art facilities. The Lloyd's Register Foundation International COnsortium in Nanotechnologies (ICON) will assemble the world's leading universities, research institutions and innovative companies to help them tackle many of today's most challenging issues by recruiting talented PhD students from every continent."

Applications will soon be invited from scientists and engineers keen to pioneer research across a range of industries. Nanotechnologies are already widely used, for example in smart phones, cameras and gadgets. Breakthroughs already being developed include cars, boats and planes built from lightweight materials stronger than steel with new functions such as self-cleaning and repairing; flexible textiles that can become rigid and shockproof to protect the wearer; sensors in hostile environments such as the deep ocean and space; tiny implants for real-time monitoring to aid diagnoses for doctors; and smart devices that harvest energy from their environment.

ICON will support more than 50 PhD students to undertake research at leading global universities, aided by matched funding. They will work together with partners from industry on interdisciplinary projects and access world-leading facilities, such as the Ł120m Southampton Nanofabrication Centre. The doctoral researchers will meet every year to present their findings and share ideas and concepts, becoming part of a global doctoral cohort addressing the Foundation's safety mission.

Professor Richard Clegg, Managing Director of Lloyd's Register Foundation, said: "We are pleased to support the University of Southampton in developing this global cohort of scientists. Their research will develop applications to further the Foundation's safety goals whilst also providing training and building technical capacity in support of our educational mission. The doctoral students joining this consortium will gain an understanding of how their research can benefit society whilst developing international research networks at an early stage in their careers."

"The support of Lloyd's Register Foundation is key to our mission," adds Dr Prodromakis. "Lloyd's Register itself is well-known for promoting safety worldwide for more than 250 years. Its Global Technology Centre is now based in Southampton and its Foundation has become a catalyst to support research, training and education for the benefit of society. We are delighted to work alongside them."

The grant to Southampton results from the call following the publication of the Foundation Foresight Review on Nanotechnology: the next industrial revolution, see www.lrfoundation.org.uk/publications/index.aspx
Three grants totalling approximately Ł9m have been awarded.

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About University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is one of the top 10 research-led universities in the UK and has achieved consistently high scores for its teaching and learning activities. We offer first-rate opportunities and facilities for study and research, and a stimulating working environment. We work closely with business and industry, and have a strong enterprise agenda. These pages will provide an indication of the quality and breadth of the activities which take place across our campuses and throughout our academic year, in addition to enabling you to find out more specialized information.

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About Lloyd's Register Foundation

The Lloyd's Register Foundation is a UK charity, established in 2012, which funds the advancement of engineering-related education and research and supports work that enhances safety of life at sea, on land and in the air. It is funded by the profits of its trading arm, Lloyd's Register Group Limited, a global engineering, technical and business services organisation.

Our vision is to be known worldwide as a leading supporter of engineering-related research, training and education that makes a real difference in improving the safety of the critical infrastructure on which modern society relies. In support of this, we promote scientific excellence and act as a catalyst working with others to achieve maximum impact.

The Lloyd's Register Foundation's strategy for 2014-2020 focuses funding on four strategic themes: promoting safety and public understanding of risk; advancing skills and education; supporting excellent scientific research; and accelerating the application of research. Four research themes have been prioritised: structural integrity and systems performance; resilience engineering; human and social factors; and emergent technologies. See more at: www.lrfoundation.org.uk/strategy
In the first full year of operation as the Lloyd's Register Foundation, the charity awarded grants of Ł16.8 million, funding 20 programmes in 40 centres in 13 countries, including Finland, Norway, Finland, Canada, China, USA, S Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, Greece, Australia, Brazil, S Africa and UK. Specific research undertaken covers marine and offshore deep water engineering, geotechnics, materials performance, transport systems, environmental, Arctic and nuclear.www.lrfoundation.org.uk

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Contacts:
Glenn Harris
Media Relations
University of Southampton
Tel:44 023 8059 3212

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