Killaloe pupil gets a close look at the ‘science of small’

A Killaloe transition year student was this week given a unique insight into nanoscience, the “science of the small”, when the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN), Ireland’s leading nanoscience institute at Trinity College Dublin, hosted their Spring Transition Week.

Ellen Finnerty of St Anne’s Community College took part in CRANN’s Experience Nano Week, which aims to introduce secondary school students to nanoscience, a sector to which 250,000 jobs are linked in Ireland.
Highlights of the week included an introduction to Ellen Finnerty of St Anne’s Community College took part in CRANN’s Experience Nano Week nanoscience and talks from CRANN’s principal investigators; a tour of the laboratories at CRANN, home to some of Ireland’s most powerful microscopes and a tour of some laboratories at St James’ Hospital, to see nanoscience research in practice.

Participants were shown work towards the use of nanoscience in medical diagnostics and pharmaceuticals and visited the Science Gallery, where they took part in a “Make” workshop.

Nanoscience is leading to a revolution of materials and manufacturing across a range of industries including energy, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, technology and bioengineering. CRANN has already introduced nanoscience to over 180 secondary schools nationwide through its Nano in my Life resource pack.

Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, executive director at CRANN, said the week offers an important opportunity for students to experience nanoscience research in practice, at a crucial point when they are deciding what path they will take for their Leaving Certificate studies.

Many students may not be familiar with nanoscience, despite the fact it is a sector in which Ireland is ranked sixth internationally. The organisers believe it will inspire students to pursue science for the Leaving Certificate and apply for the N-PCAM course at Trinity College.

CRANN is Trinity College’s largest research institute and a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funded centre for science, engineering and technology (CSET), which partners with University College Cork (UCC).

Since its foundation 10 years ago, CRANN has obtained €200 million of competitive funding from government, industry, the European Union and philanthropy. It comprises a team of over 300 researchers, led by 18 principal investigators, each of whom is an internationally-recognised expert in their field of research.