Industrialist donates €5m to scientific research
The Glen Dimplex Group chairman contribution will fund a flagship nanoscience research at the college.
“This is not only a flagship project for Trinity but one for Ireland as well and one that I am unhesitatingly enthusiastic about. There is no doubt that nanotechnology will make a great impact on our lives, and if we grasp this opportunity, we can establish Ireland as a world leader in one of the most important fields of innovation. Rarely does a university get a chance like this and I’m delighted to be able to help.”
Mr Naughton said there is an essential need for private funding for programmes like this. “For those of us who have been successful in life, rather than sitting back criticising the Government about what is not being done, we should be prepared to put our money where our mouth is, and support visionary projects that will prepare our country for the challenges that lie ahead.”
Thanking Dr Naughton for his gift, Trinity College Provost Dr John Hegarty said: “Trinity has recently built up a critical mass of world-class expertise in nanoscience by establishing our Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN). Over the last few years we have attracted a number of superb people in the area, who have been externally assessed as one of the best groups in the world.”
The CRANN building will provide 150 scientists, technicians and graduate students with the facilities needed to explore the nanoworld.
Dr Hegarty said: “Nanoscience or nanotechnology is much talked about as the being key to many future technologies, from information to biology. It has become a high priority in the US, and we believe that, if Ireland gets the right start, nanotechnology could be what software and pharmaceuticals were for our economy in recent decades.”
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