Project Objectives

NACBO proposes the research, development and commercialisation of discrete but overlapping areas of material science, materials chemistry and supporting/applying hardware systems. It will deliver novel and improved solutions to emerging and current needs in biology, health, chemistry, process engineering and the environment. Most particularly its outputs intend to address molecular diagnostics. The project will also address training of individuals, at all levels, in areas of relevance to its work and promotion of public awareness and female participation in science, engineering and technology with respect to nanotechnology and biotechnology. Finally it intends to deliver an effective web based resource for reference purposes with respect to bio/environmental compatibility of materials and chemistries involved in nanotechnology.

Technologically this project concentrates on 3 main themes where existing approaches, materials or methods are either limiting or non-existent and where market opportunities exist. These are:

1. tailored, characterised nano- and micro- materials (including paramagnetic materials) based upon, silica, magnetite and carbon in the forms of paramagnetic nanoparticles, mesoporous molecular sieves, carbon nanotubes, nanorods, nanoporous surfaces and bidisperse silica,
2. chemistries involving; surface activation leading to improved and controllable surface functionalisation of materials via electro-oxidation and chemical polymerisation of chiral dicarbazoles and dipyrroles and diene/dienophile interactions and chemistries relating to perfluorpolymers for improvements in bioseparative processes; contrasting agents including quantum dots and electron spin traps and novel assembly chemistries for synthetic nucleic acids and related monomer synthons and
3. new hardware platforms and associated reagents for application of the above in molecular diagnostics processes particularly forensics, public health and welfare and the development of new ‘total’ health care platforms.

The project balances radical, breakthrough innovation with incremental technological development and its objectives are to technologically establish new methodologies and materials, supported by at least 5 new patents and 10 new products, within its lifetime, which will access a total market estimated to be of the order of 29 B Euro by 2005.