INVESTMENT IN nanotechnology by the Irish government and industry is now showing tangible results, according to Diarmuid O’Brien, executive director of Crann. The research institute, which focuses on nanotechnology and material science, released its annual report today, showing an increase in non-exchequer funding and industry engagement since 2008.

Crann was established in 2003 as a partnership between Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. It is is funded predominantly by Science Foundation Ireland and aims to make Ireland a leader in nano-science while also offering benefits to industry.

“We have two goals; the first is to undertake world-leading research,” said Mr O’Brien. “The second is to make sure that research has a real impact for industry and the Irish economy.”

Crann has 250 researchers working within the institute and collaborates with multinationals and SMEs.

In recent years it has undertaken over 40 new intellectual property disclosures, 20 patent applications and has engaged with 70 companies, which Mr O’Brien said were split evenly between SMEs and multinationals.

Two companies have also been spun-out of Crann since it was established, although according to Mr O’Brien the benefits of the research are not solely based around the companies it creates.

“There’s a lot of value from research that is not just linked to a product coming to market. For the last three to four months, we’ve seen half a dozen graduates coming out of Crann who are now working for Intel,” he said.