In 2000, the Clinton Administration launched the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI).  Ohio University in the same year launched its own 'nanoscience initiative' via the Ohio University Doctoral Enhancement plan.  This University funding led to the hire of 4 new nanoscientists within the department of Physics & Astronomy.  This allowed the Condensed Matter area of the department to grow significantly in the area of nanoscience, in which it already had existing strengths.  In 2001, the Nanoscale & Quantum Phenomena Institute (NQPI) was established.

Today, NQPI consists of 26 faculty from seven departments within the College of Arts and Sciences and the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.  NQPI is an intensely interdisciplinary entity whose goal is to promote research excellence in nanoscale science and engineering. NQPI members have developed on-going and steadily growing cross-campus collaborations.  Several of these research efforts in nanoscience can be characterized as vigorous and successful, as measured by strong external support and international recognition.

Ohio University's NQPI has strong efforts in a variety of areas of nanoscience, with many on-going and developing cross-campus collaborations.  Some of the efforts are toward 'soft' nanoscience, and in 2004 the BNNT (Biomimetic Nanoscience & NanoTechnology) effort began at Ohio University.  Still, an even larger sector of NQPI is the area of 'hard' nanoscience, which is loosely the science of nanomaterials which are non-bio-related.  Generally, the institute has 3 main focus areas in 'hard' nano: 1) nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, nanomagnetism, and nanospintronics; 2) nanoscale properties, manipulation, and assembly; and 3) quantum structures, nanocrystals, and nanosensors.  Within all these areas, NQPI members and their research groups are actively working.

For further information, please contact:

Arthur Smith

NQPI Director

740-597-2576

smitha2@ohio.edu

Cindy White

Administrative Assistant

740-593-1977

white@ohio.edu