The Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS) at Harvard University was created with a very clear vision: To provide a collaborative multi-disciplinary research environment to support of the creation and evolution of nanoscience enabled through the availability world-class shared facilities and technical expertise. This unique open facility serves as a “nanotechnology ecosystem” for more than 1500 academic and industrial researchers annually supporting research ranging from nanoelectronics and nanophotonic applications to fundamental nanobio studies. The laboratory places a strong emphasis on process development in new material systems and the ability to fabricate and characterize structures at nearly any lengthscale from a few nm to macroscopic dimensions.

Our Core Values:

• Facilitating leading-edge, multi-disciplinary, research and education in the areas of fabrication, imaging, and characterization of nanoscale structures, across the disciplines of applied physics, biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, geology, materials science, medicine and physics.
• Creating a “world-class” collaborative nanotechnology research community by providing shared instrumentation facilities and infrastructure, expert staff, synergistic meeting places, and educational opportunities conducive to productive scientific engagement.

CNS strives to be at the leading edge of science and technology, by providing world-class tools for world-class research, and by fostering a strong competitive edge for our nation’s investigators. We aspire to serve a broad, diverse, national set of users who are preparing the nation to meet the needs of next generation technologies. The focus of CNS ranges from the develop specialized tools, processes, and expertise to design, simulate, and fabricate novel materials, nanostructures, devices, and systems, going beyond conventional approaches. CNS is organized into two primary instrumentation cores, Nanofabrication & Nanomaterials, Imaging & Analysis. Details of the range of instruments and tool available can be found on the CNS website.