Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Pioneering Safe and Sustainable Practices in Spanish Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
ICN2 and 12 other leading Spanish centers in nanoscale research and development comprise the SustainableNano network, a project fostering sustainability and safety within research institutions.
The SustainableNano project, or the SNSSN - Spanish Network on Safe and Sustainable Nanotechnologies, is dedicated to promoting safe, sustainable, and socially impactful practices within the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology across Spain. Throughout the generation and dissemination of knowledge, provision of training, and active engagement in communication and outreach initiatives, the network strives to foster economic prosperity and enhance social well-being through the collaborative efforts of its consortium.
Launched in 2024, SNSSN is supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, and the Agencia Estatal de Investigación under the grant agreement RED2022-134129-T. With this financial backing, the SustainableNano Network strives to advance towards achieving some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The SustainableNano network consists of the foremost Spanish institutions highly engaged in research and development in nanoscience and nanotechnology, especially focusing on sustainability and safety issues. Notably, ICN2 not only stands among these institutions but also serves as the coordinating center for the network. The 12 other partners involved in this initiative are Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA Nanociencia), Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Nanociencias (CIC Nanogune), Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB), Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia – Universitat de Barcelona (IN2UB), Centro de Investigación de Física de Materia Condensada (IFIMAC-UAM), Instituto de Ciencia Molecular – Universitat de València (ICMol), Instituto de Micro y Nanotecnología (IMN-CNM), Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología (CINN), Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM), and Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM).
The inherent structure of SustainableNano fosters synergies among participating institutions, facilitating the establishment of collaborative frameworks to advance sustainable and safe research practices, as mentioned above. Moreover, by engaging highly specialised expertise nationwide across Spain, this network enhances coordination and knowledge exchange, thereby driving progress in nanoscience. In line with this, ICN2 will actively encourage the involvement of other SustainableNano international initiatives such as the International Network for Sustainable Nanotechnology (N4SNano). Additionally, it will strive to establish an institutional connection between the two networks, boosting the international visibility and impact of SustainableNano’s activities.