Donor gives research boost

A $1 million bequest planned by an anonymous donor will give nanotechnology a major boost.

The donor has confirmed the bequest to the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, a Centre of Research Excellence formed as a partnership between four universities and two Crown Research Institutes.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology involve studying and working with matter on an ultra-small scale.

One nanometre is one-millionth of a millimetre and a single human hair is around 80,000 nanometres in width.

The bequest, through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation, will support post-graduate scholarships at the institute and encourage students to continue in science.

The donor said it was thrilled to be able to support the leading-edge research of the institute and hoped the future scholarships would encourage advanced study in science.

The MacDiarmid Institute is hosted by Victoria University and supported by partners Canterbury University, Industrial Research, Massey University, Otago University and the Institute for Geological and Nuclear Sciences.

Institute director Richard Blaikie said that the bequest was an incredibly generous contribution.

"I'm delighted they wish to support the work of the institute," he said.

"The bequest will benefit young scientists, future research and, ultimately, the nation as a whole."

- NZPA