Manufacture and structure of functional nanoparticles--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Particle technology continues to be a fundamental applied research discipline relevant to many industrial and medical sectors which are of societal importance. The papers collected in this special issue focus upon the area of manufacturing of nanoparticulate materials through application of specific nanomanufacturing methods or colloid science.

The issue reports on the outcome of a major UK-based initiative, or A Collaboration into Research on Nanoparticles (ACORN), in which the project manager, Dr David Parker, describes the operation and achievements of an industrially lead consortium actively across six universities. This model is also likely to be transferable since much of the underpinning science behind creating functional nanoparticles and structures is common. The industrial consortium provided the necessary outward facing expertise to challenge and partner with academic expertise building links across institutes. This leads to more rapid and relevant novel outcomes.

This issue features contributions on nano- and microparticle formation (Moreno-Atanasio et al.; Yuan et al.), the creation of structures involving nanoparticles (Marsh et al.; Yuan and Xiao) and the formulation of nanofluids for heat transfer functions (Wen et al.; Chen et al.). These papers illustrate the areas of societal impact for engineered nanoproducts and hence the criticality of forming effective research teams to address these important applications that affect healthcare, wellbeing and energy systems.

Collaboration between leading scientists in particle technology will become increasingly important in the future as the scope for exceptional innovation will come from such partnerships. As patent space becomes crowded, intellectual challenge and value arise from those who can work together in mature partnerships. I hope this volume might stimulate such linkages not only in the UK but also internationally.

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