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Introduction
Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology have been identified worldwide as the key to
unlocking a new generation of materials and devices with
revolutionary properties and functionalities. The technology has
already seen commercial success in multi-billion dollar industries
such as the electronics and information storage industry, petroleum
and chemical industry and healthcare industry
amongst others. The excitement over nanotechnology derives from the
potentials associated with designing structures with dimensions
right down to the fundamental building blocks of all materials -
atoms and molecules. The state of nanotechnology now is comparable
to the state of computer technology 40 years ago; this itself is
strong motivation for many institutes and organisations to embark on
nanotechnology research.
While the impact of nanotechnology has been made in many areas, the
technology is still at its embryonic stage and current applications
of nanotechnology represent the fruition of only the tip of the
nanotechnology iceberg. Therein, lays the challenge in nurturing
research in this field; an infant yet pervasive field with
undisputedly immense promises which have yet to be fully identified.
The initiative’s approach to the development and promotion of
nanotechnology research is to optimise resources in creating
strategic high impact research while retaining diversity in research
areas. Several core areas of nanotechnology research have been
identified from the University’s existing research. The nanoscience
and nanotechnology platform will build on the strengths of the
faculties and focus on strategic programmes to excel in niche areas. |
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Objectives
To develop research human capital and long-term research
capabilities in the strategic field of nanoscience and
nanotechnology.
To galvanize and coordinate multidisciplinary research effort
(across departments, faculties and with the RIs) in nanoscience and
nanotechnology.
To
help set research priorities and directions for high impact
nanoscience and nanotechnology research.
Background
The National University of Singapore(NUS) acknowledges the
global trend that nanotechnology is expected to be a key
technology.
NUS, in tradition of
spearheading cutting-edge research programs, has launched the NUS
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative (NUSNNI) to promote this
area of research. The aim of NUSNNI is to initiate and coordinate
long-term nanoscience and engineering research. Our objective is to
achieve fundamental discoveries of novel phenomena, processes and
tools.
To do this, we tie-up
collaborative efforts between various disciplines within the
university faculties and interested research partners.
We provide the necessary support to facilitate efforts by
faculties, researchers and students interested in pursuing this area
of research.
In the
light of the University's commitment to nanoscience and
nanotechnology research, NUSNNI's role to its development and
promotion is to optimise resources and focus on multidisciplinary
strategic programmes.
Milestone
(please click to view)
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