International Institute for Nanotechnology

The International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) was established by Northwestern University in 2000.^[1] It was the first institute of its kind in the United States and is one of the premier nanoscience research centers in the world.^[2] Today, the IIN represents and unites more than $1 billion in nanotechnology research, educational programs, and supporting infrastructure.^[3]

IIN faculty includes 85 members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. It brings together more than 240 chemists, engineers, biologists, physicians, and business experts, to focus on application of nanotechnology to improve society, creating a synergy essential to the progress of nanotechnology, that cannot be easily found elsewhere.^[4] It has developed collaborative partnerships with academic institutions around the world, including sister institutes at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and the Hunan University, China. Over 100 corporations partner with the IIN through active research and the Nanotechnology Corporate Partners program.^[5]

Since its inception, more than 2,000 products and systems have been commercialized worldwide. Twenty start-up companies have been launched based upon IIN research, and they have attracted over $700 million in venture capital funding.^[6] The IIN is changing the face of research in fields from medical diagnostics to materials science.^[7] The IIN drives innovation-based business formation, employment and economic growth.^[8]

The IIN has partnerships in 18 countries outside the United States, as well as connections with universities worldwide. For students, these relationships mean they can take advantage of postdoctoral exchange programs. Their annual symposium draws researchers from around the world.^[9]

The IIN embodies an extraordinary combination of scientific capabilities, outreach programs, and partnerships that provide a unique and fertile ground from which to continue to make substantial contributions to the field and ensure that the U.S. remains a world leader in nanotechnology.^[10] The role of the Institute is to support meaningful efforts in nanotechnology, house state-of-the-art nanomaterials characterization facilities, and nucleate individual and group efforts aimed at addressing and solving key problems in nanotechnology. The IIN positions Northwestern University and its partners in academia, industry, and national labs as leaders in this exciting field.^[11]

Research areas

Research is organized into the following eight pillars, each focused on a critical societal issue:^[12]

• NanoMedicine
• NanoOncology
• Molecular Electronics
• NanoEnabled Energy Solutions
• Environmental Nanotechnology
• NanoEnabled Solutions for Food and Water
• Nanotechnology for Security and Defense
• NanoEducation

Northwestern Faculties Involved with IIN

IIN faculty are drawn from 31 schools and departments at Northwestern:^[13]

Executive Council

The IIN Executive Council is a group of business people, led by David Kabiller, committed to advocating for nanotechnology research and education; promoting the IIN as a high-impact philanthropic opportunity; and advising IIN leadership on philanthropy, marketing, and bringing technology from the laboratory to market.^[14]

Kabiller Prize

Nanomedicine is an emerging field that focuses on using nanotechnology to impact the field of medicine. Powerful new ways of studying, diagnosing, and treating diseases have been the dividends of basic research in the field of nanoscience. Indeed, this field and the materials devices that derive from it, have a chance to revolutionize medicine as we currently know it.

Through a generous donation from entrepreneur David Kabiller, the IIN established the $250,000 Kabiller Prize in Nanoscience and Nanomedicine and the $10,000 Kabiller Young Investigator Award in Nanoscience and Nanomedicine. Every other year, the Kabiller Prize recognizes individuals who have made a career-long, significant impact in the field of nanotechnology applied to medicine and biology. The Kabiller Young Investigator Award recognizes individuals who have made breaking discoveries within the last few years in the same area that have the potential to make a lasting impact.

Education

The IIN seeks to develop and nurture the scientists, engineers, technicians, and teachers of tomorrow; enrich the academic environment; and inform and engage the public through the following programs:^[15]

• Undergraduate Research
• Ryan Graduate Fellowships
• IIN Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Worldwide Nanotechnology Town Halls
• Nano Boot Camp for Clinicians
• All Scout Nano Day
• National Nano Day - organized by the National Informal Science Education Network (NISE-Net). IIN researchers partner with the Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago to guide museum visitors through hands-on nanotechnology related activities.
• Nanotechnology Module - designed by IIN researchers for use in middle and high school science, technology, and engineering, and math classes. Distributed by the Materials World Modules program.

Innovation

The IIN has created a new kind of research coalition with a large precompetitive nanoscale science and engineering platform for developing applications, demonstrating manufacturability and training skilled researchers.^[16]

Nanotechnology Corporate Partners (NCP) Program

The IIN works on joint research initiatives with corporations including:^[17]

Small Business Partnership Commercialization Program

This program links institute researchers with venture capital experts and has resulted in the formation the 20 companies below, which have collectively raised over $700 million in financing:^[18]

References