The IIN is the world leader in nanotechnology research and education, located at Northwestern University.
The International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) at Northwestern University is an umbrella organization that catalyzes and supports interdisciplinary research focused on the development of transformative nanotechnologies. Research is organized into seven defined pillars of concentration including: NanoMedicine, Nano Materials & Devices, NanoEnergy, Environmental Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology Solutions for Food & Water, Nanotechnology for Security & Defense, and NanoEducation. Established in 2000, the IIN currently represents and unites more than $800 million in nanotechnology research, educational programs, and supporting infrastructure.
The IIN is focused on continually growing the core competencies that drive its successes including:
• Catalyzing and supporting world-class interdisciplinary research
• Providing programs that support translation of new technologies to the marketplace
• Investing in critical infrastructure
• Developing and strengthening mutually beneficial local, national, and global collaborations
• Supporting educational excellence and professional development at undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels
Even before nanotechnology gained cache as a revolutionary new branch of science and engineering that could address many of the world’s most pressing problems, teams of researchers at the IIN were already breaking new scientific ground and translating those discoveries into commercial products.
To date, more than 2,000 products and systems have been commercialized and are being used worldwide; and 23 successful start-up companies based upon technologies developed by IIN researchers.
