Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center

MISSION: To understand and manipulate the transport of electrons through molecules and molecular assemblies on a nanometer scale.

As the ability to create faster and smarter silicon based devices approaches its finite limits, the world has turned to nanoscience to continue the information processing evolution. Nanoscience involves the study and observation of phenomena on the dimensional scale of nanometers, a unit measuring one billionth of a meter (3 - 4 atoms wide). Mastery of this field is essential in order to create smarter, faster and cheaper computer based products beyond the next decade.

With this important task in mind, The Columbia University Nanocenter's goal is to establish new paradigms for information processing using the characteristics of electron transport unique to nanoscale molecular structures. Founded in 2001, the Nanocenter draws upon years of experience in chemical synthesis to design molecular structures with carefully crafted properties. This work has the potential to impact major disciplines in addition to electronics including photonics, biology, neuroscience and medicine.

This website is based on work supported primarily by the NSEC Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Award Numbers CHE-0117752 and CHE-0641523 with additional support provided by the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or NYSTAR.

NSEC Announcements

January 21, 2010
NSEC RPU applications are now being accepted.
The Columbia Nanocenter is now accepting applications for its undergraduate research program. Please see the RPU section for more information.

October 26, 2009
Prof. Tony Heinz announced as OSA 2010 Vice President.
The Columbia Nanocenter is proud to announce that director Tony Heinz was elected elected by The Optical Society (OSA) as its 2010 vice president.

July 30, 2009
The Columbia Nanocenter announces NanoDay in New York 2009.

The Columbia Nanocenter is sponsoring NanoDay in New York, 2009, on October 17, 2009. Please click on the image above for details.

July 25, 2009
Prof. Colin Nuckolls wins the Baekland Award.
The Columbia Nanocenter is proud to announce that Chemistry Professor Colin Nuckolls is the winner of the prestigious 2009 Baekland Award.

January 30, 2009
Prof. Chee Wei Wong receives 3M Faculty Award
Prof. Chee Wei Wong of the Columbia University Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Columbia Nanocenter received the 2009 3M Faculty Award for studies on controlling photons in thin-film nanostructures, examining energy transport and nonlinear dynamics.

-->

Research Highlights