📋 Tender Overview
Funded Value6030747Funded PeriodOct 19 - Mar 28FunderEPSRCProject StatusActiveProject CategoryTraining GrantProject ReferenceEPS0229531Topic of Centre This i4Nano CDT will accelerate the discovery cycle of functional nanotechnologies and materials effectively bridging from ground-breaking fundamental science toward industrial device integration and to drive technological innovation via an interdisciplinary approach. A key overarching theme is understanding and control of the nano-interfaces connecting complex architectures which is essential for going beyond simple model systems and key to major advances in emerging scientific grand challenges across vital areas of Energy Health Manufacturing particularly considering sustainability ICTInternet of things and Quantum. We focus on the science of nano-interfaces across multiple time scales and material systems organic-inorganic bio-nonbio interfaces gas-liquid-solid crystalline-amorphous to control nano-interfaces in a scalable manner across different size scales and to integrate them into functional systems using engineering approaches combining interfaces integration innovation and interdisciplinarity hence i4Nano. The vast range of knowledge tools and techniques necessary for this underpins the requirement for high-quality broad-based PhD training that effectively links scientific depth and application breadth.National Need Most breakthrough nanoscience as well as successful translation to innovative technology relies on scientists bridging boundaries between disciplines but this is hindered by the constrained subject focus of undergraduate courses across the UK. Our recent industry-academia nano-roadmapping event attended by numerous industrial partners strongly emphasised the need for broadly-trained interdisciplinary nanoscience acolytes who are highly valuable across their businesses acting as transformers and integrators of new knowledge crucial for the UK. They consistently emphasise there is a clear national need to produce this cadre of interdisciplinary nanoscientists to maintain the UKs international academic leadership to feed entrepreneurial activity and to capitalise industrially in the UK by driving innovations in health energy ICT and Quantum Technologies. Training Approach The vision of this i4Nano CDT is to deliver bespoke training in key areas of nano to translate exploratory nanoscience into impactful technologies and stimulate new interactions that support this vision. We have already demonstrated an ability to attract world-class postgraduates and build high-calibre cohorts of independent young Nano scientists through a distinctive PhD nursery in our current CDT with cohorts co-housed and jointly mentored in the initial year of intense interdisciplinary training through formal courses practicals and project work. This programme encourages young researchers to move outside their core disciplines and
