The International Consortium of Nanotechnologies (ICoN), a global network led by the University of Southampton, is building capacity and knowledge in the application of nanotechnologies to support safety of life and property.

Societies and communities around the world face major challenges linked to climate change, population growth, energy security and the availability of food and water. In response, innovative technology, in areas such as smart materials, energy storage and generation and big data, is being developed to ensure the critical infrastructure on which modern society relies is able to satisfy growing demands.

With ICON's support over 50 new international nanotechnology experts are spending their training considering safety issues and advancing knowledge across a range of themes, from sensors,  smart materials, energy & storage and computing and communications, as identified in the Foundation's Foresight Review of Nanotechnology (2014).