The Northwest Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NNI) acts as an engine for innovation and economic development by providing world-class nanotechnology infrastructure for a broad and diverse users base, paired with technical and educational leadership in photonic and quantum devices, advanced energy materials and devices, and bio-nano-interfaces and systems. 

The mission of NWNI consists of Make – Measure – Mentor, providing three core services, with the first two forming the physical foundation and the 3rd serving to coordinate broader impacts. The physical infrastructure consists of the Washington Nanofabrication Facility (WNF), the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Institute (ATAMI) and the Materials Synthesis & Characterization Facility (MaSC) for making, and the Molecular Analysis Facility (MAF), the Ambient Pressure Surface Characterization Laboratory (APSCL) and the Oregon Process Innovation Center for Sustainable Manufacturing (OPIC) for measuring of nanosystems.

NNI provides both high-throughput and one-of-a-kind capabilities to our users, offering efficient, safe and affordable access to state-of-the-art nanotechnology resources for scientific discovery and prototyping – in an environment that protects intellectual property and supports translational research. We offer unique expertise from leading scientists, including the following three principal focus areas:

• Photonic and quantum devices, offering capabilities geared towards large-scale integrated networks of photonic devices and quantum information systems, as well as photonic sensors in medical diagnostics.

• Advanced energy materials and devices, offering capabilities for the development and integration of benign materials for batteries and solar power.

• Bio-nano interfaces and systems, offering capabilities that support biosensors, bio-inspired materials and bioelectronics.

Mentoring and outreach: Our site’s integration with the region’s vibrant biotech and startup community means there are no standard users or systems. Accordingly, we are offering flexible use options as needed, from comprehensive training of local users to operator-assisted tool access to remote execution of assignments. We provide undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral and community college students with support in the entire development cycle, from initial design to final analysis. NNI organizes outreach programs for nanotechnology education beyond the university campus. In partnerships with regional schools, colleges and with tribal organizations, we educate the educators and immerse our students into the broader scientific community.

Brief history: The Center for Nanotechnology (CNT) was established at the University of Washington in 1997, offering fabrication and characterization capabilities at the Nanotechnology User Facility, undergraduate training through an NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship in Nanotechnology and a dual-degree Ph.D. program in engineering disciplines and nanotechnology. In 2009, an NSF Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education grant created a Minor in Nanoscience & Molecular Engineering across 11 departments in Engineering and Arts & Sciences. We became a member of the NSF National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) in 2004.