Intel to award Irish nanoscience institute CRANN


11 Oct 2011

Dr Robert Chau, senior fellow at Intel (left) and Dr John Boland, director of CRANN

Intel will present an award to CRANN, the SFI-funded nanoscience institute in Trinity College, for the role its researchers have played in helping the company develop advanced technologies.

The award officially recognises CRANN’s decade of collaboration with Intel. During this time, CRANN has built a relationship both with Intel Ireland’s advanced manufacturing capability and its Components Research unit based in Portland, Oregon.

Dr Robert Chau, Intel senior fellow, will present the award to CRANN this evening.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit CRANN and TCD,” said Chau, who noted Intel has enjoyed “very productive research collaborations with CRANN since its foundation in 2003 across a range of topics”.

“The research has been focused on technologies that could assist in the advancement of ‘Moore’s Law’, which is the fundamental principle which enables innovation in computing technology. Intel looks forward to continuing its collaboration with CRANN into the future,” he said.

Employment opportunities with Intel’s collaboration with CRANN remain strong. A CRANN graduate was recruited into the Components Research unit in Oregon and is soon returning to the institute as an Intel researcher-in-residence. This is the first Components Research staff placement from Intel USA in Ireland. Intel has also hired 15 new employees with PhDs from CRANN.

“As Ireland’s foremost nanoscience institute, CRANN works to develop industry partnerships in sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals and energy, among others,” said Dr John Boland, director of CRANN.

“Our partnership with Intel has been in existence for eight years and has, during this time, been mutually beneficial. Intel has challenged us to research new technologies, new devices and new functionalities, all the while expanding our expertise.

“Intel has always been committed to Ireland, as a significant employer, continually investing in Ireland – including in research. Exemplar research capabilities, such as those in CRANN, will continue to attract and maintain such inward investment. I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of CRANN and I look forward to developing our partnership with Intel into the future,” Boland said.