Cambridge to be sustainable nanotechnology satellite

Cambridge was selected as the location for Japanese-funded research into nanotechnology that could contribute to sustainable development.

The Japanese government has set up a $150 million (£86.25 million) investment initiative to develop sustainable materials which mimic natural processes.

Professor Mark Welland, director of the university’s Neuroscience Centre told Business Weekly: "It is a huge honour to be part of one of the world premier institutions funded through the Japanese government. The resources this will bring both directly to Cambridge in collaboration with facilities in Japan will have long term and substantial benefits to our research."

Cambridge is one four universities outside Japan that will host a satellite of the International Centre for Materials Nanoarchitectonics.

The others are The University of California, Los Angeles, the Georgia Institute of Technology and France’s CNRS.

According to Nanowerk, nanotechnology could help make the transition away from fossil fuels, initially contributing to the reduction in use by making more efficient use of fuel and ultimately contributing to the sustainable energy industry.