Dr Themis Prodromakis, from the Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnologies Group at Southampton, is leading the programme. He said: “Researchers are always looking for funding for high risk, high reward ideas. 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 open 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.
“We are pleased to support the University of Southampton in developing this global cohort of scientists,” said Professor Richard Clegg, managing director of Lloyd’s Register Foundation. “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.”
