Nanoscience doctoral training to address societal challenges in materials science, biomedicine and energy

ended

Nanotechnology is widely considered to be one of the drivers of innovations in the 21st century. Specifically, nanoscience strongly contributes to several of the key enabling technologies identified by the European Commission, including Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials and Biotechnologies, and Sustainable development. In this way, nanotechnology also has significant potential to directly address Europe’s Societal Challenges, including clean and efficient energy, resource efficiency, health and well-being. The effective use of nanotechnology requires a highly trained workforce able to tackle interdisciplinary challenges through combination of unique approaches, advanced materials and characterization techniques coupled with a clear understanding of technology and market needs. The GenerationNano program will effectively consolidate and leverage externally (public and private) funded projects to facilitate a cohesive training program that integrates multiple disciplines, mobility, training in innovation processes and leadership to produce tomorrow’s leaders in nanotechnology and nano-innovation. GenerationNano’s is highly timely and is specifically designed for the Lund region in Southern Scandinavia. First, large investments into basic nanoscience have by now built up an extensive base of knowledge, infrastructure and materials synthesis capabilities related to nanostructures, and a large number of highly innovative applications are emerging. The time to focus on future applications is now. Second, the project is perfectly timed to coincide with major investments into regional nanotechnology e.g. world-leading nanomaterials research at NanoLund (the host of GenerationNano); the worlds brightest synchrotron MAX IV; ; the start of institute- and pilotfabrication operations (ProNano) within nanotechnology in Lund by RISE, to bring nanotech innovations from proof-of-concept all the way to production; and multiple nanotech companies.