My first Magazine SFI Little Book - April Re-print edits included | Page 33

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Shedding Light
on Research
The science of light is a focal point for Science Foundation
Ireland funded IPIC, the Irish Photonic Integration
Centre. Photonics involves the generation, manipulation
and utilisation of light, with implications in medical
devises, bio-imaging, bio-diagnostics, digital networks
and communications industries. Collaborating with
some of the top multinational technology companies,
SMEs and start-ups, IPIC is positioning itself as a world
leader in photonics research.
www.ipic.ie
Ranked Highly
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Over the past decade, Science Foundation Ireland has
built a community of approximately 3,000 researchers
in Ireland. Through this investment, Ireland has
speedily ascended the international rankings of
scientific research capability, from 36th place in 2003 to
a consolidated position inside the top 20 in recent times.
Particular strengths have emerged with Irish research
ranked highly in various fields for scientific citations:
2nd in the world for nanotechnology, 3rd in the world
for immunology, materials science and animal and
diary (Thomson Reuters).