Image courtesy INL
Now the lab, which covers 26,000 square metres and will house 200 scientists, is scouting for pharmaceutical and biotech partners for advanced nanotechnology projects.
The INL, the first laboratory in Europe dedicated to nanotechnology to have an international legal framework, is a joint initiative of the governments of Portugal and Spain. The plan to set up the INL, which is also the first international research organisation on the Iberian peninsula, was agreed in November 2005.
UK government calls for nanotech policy
Paul Drayson, UK science and innovation minister and chair of a cross-government group on nanotechnologies, has asked for industry support in developing a national strategy for nanotechnology.
A website has been set up to gather views on research, regulation, commercialisation, measurement and standards, and on the likely impact in different application areas. The aim is to extract the maximum economic benefit, while ensuring any risks are properly managed.
The strategy is due to be published by February next year. The website can be found here: http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/nano/
José Rivas, INL’s Director-General, said, “Combining human capital with technology and knowledge, INL will work on a strategy focused on results, taking advantage of its international legal status to deliver outcomes of value.”
“We believe that with the contribution of all, we can spread top level scientific results around the world with consequences for the economy and society.”
INL will work closely with universities, research centres and business incubators from all over the world to identify projects in four priority areas: nanomedicine; environmental monitoring, food quality control and security; nanoelectronics; and nanomanipulation.
The laboratory plans to grow to 200 researchers, including 25 per cent tenured positions. With an additional 100 PhD students, and around 100 technicians, administrative and other personnel, the total number of people working at the INL will be about 400.
During the past two years, the INL has established a number of partnerships with research centres and universities. The main purpose of the knowledge network is to create close links between institutions, sharing information, technologies and resources, as well as to develop products.
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