The University of Waterloo’s Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) is, with a number of its international partners, leading action on ways in which nanotechnology expertise in higher education can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These actions have been primarily identified as the development of talent, the advancement of research for global impact, and the promotion of sustainable and diverse communities.
WIN’s most recent contribution consisted of the publication of an article in ACS Nano – an international forum for the communication of the ways in which sciences like chemistry, biology, material sciences, physics, and engineering connect for impact.
The article brings together experts from the Waterloo community from WIN, in addition to three of the University of Waterloo’s Faculties (Engineering, Environment, and Science) – as well as contributors from America, Asia, Australia, and Europe – to put forward an agenda to promote nanotechnology for a sustainable future. Highlighting both technological solutions and particular interdisciplinary skills in communication, the featured authors discuss the roles of targeting solutions, technology translation, and the circular economy. Examples drawn from around the world give tangible substance and support to this agenda.
The article also serves to announce the launch of the International Network4Sustainable Nanotechnology (N4SNano). With founding members across five countries: Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) – Canada, University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano) – Australia, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology (MESA+) – the Netherlands, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) – USA, and Japan Science & Technology Agency (JST) – Japan, N4SNano aims to promote nanotechnology advancement and applications that deliver positive and impactful solutions to society that are aligned with the UN SDGs.
Commenting upon the article’s publication, Prof. Sushanta Mitra, executive director, WIN, University of Waterloo, remarked: ‘Today, nanotechnology is ubiquitous in our modern society – be it lipid nanoparticles for mRNA vaccine to chips in our cellphone. This article further pushes the boundaries of nanotechnology to showcase how we are creating a meaningful impact in our society through our commitment to the UN SDGs’.
Reflecting upon the creation of the new International Network, Prof. Ian Rowlands, associate vice-president, international, University of Waterloo, commented: ‘”Partnerships for the Goals” are recognized to be critical to advancing the SDGs. I am delighted to see these world-class institutions come together to collaborate on these challenges and opportunities. I am equally pleased to see they are inviting others to join them to grow even further higher education’s contributions to sustainability.’
N4SNano is scheduled to have its ‘Global Summit 2022’ in February of this year. More information may be found here:
Questions and/or comments about N4SNano can be directed to secretariat@N4SNano.org.