Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science

Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science
Name	Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science
Formation	2007
Headquarters	Ithaca, New York
Parent organization	Cornell University
Affiliation	The Kavli Foundation

Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science is a research institute located at Cornell University's Ithaca campus focused on nanoscale science and engineering. The institute integrates experimental nanotechnology initiatives with theoretical work across departments such as Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. It is supported by private philanthropy and collaborates with national laboratories, industrial partners, and international universities.

History

The institute was established in the context of a philanthropic gift from The Kavli Foundation and institutional investment by Cornell University during the 2000s, contemporaneous with initiatives such as the establishment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative and the construction of specialized facilities like the Cornell NanoScale Facility. Early leadership included faculty affiliated with the School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University and researchers who previously worked at institutions such as IBM Research and Bell Labs. The timeline intersected with high-profile milestones in nanoscale research including discoveries associated with graphene and advancements in scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy, aligning the institute with national science policy debates and funding trends influenced by agencies like the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

Mission and Research Areas

The institute's mission aligns with advancing fundamental understanding and applications in nanoscale science through interdisciplinary work involving scholars from Cornell University, partner institutions such as Weill Cornell Medicine, and collaborators from centers like Brookhaven National Laboratory. Research areas encompass nanophotonics, quantum information science, nanomaterials, biomolecular engineering, and nanoelectronics. Faculty associated with the institute often hold joint appointments linking departments including Applied Physics, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering. The institute engages with national initiatives such as projects funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and collaborates on translational efforts with corporate partners including Intel and Samsung.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The institute occupies dedicated laboratory space integrated with Cornell facilities like the Cornell NanoScale Facility and instruments found in the Kavli Institute for Nanoscale Science complex, enabling capabilities in cleanroom fabrication, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and cryogenic measurement systems. Shared infrastructure includes toolsets for molecular beam epitaxy, electron-beam lithography, and focused ion beam systems, supporting research parallel to equipment at Argonne National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The proximity to Cornell's Center for Materials Research and core facilities used by initiatives such as the Energy Frontier Research Centers amplifies access to synchrotron sources like the National Synchrotron Light Source II at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Key Research Projects and Contributions

Investigations at the institute contributed to progress in two-dimensional materials including work on graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and heterostructures that intersect with research by groups at Columbia University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Contributions include studies of quantum transport relevant to quantum computing platforms and experimental advances in single-molecule sensing tied to techniques used at Harvard University and Stanford University. Collaborative projects have advanced understanding of topological phases related to discoveries awarded by prizes such as the Nobel Prize in Physics and influenced device concepts for companies like NIST-affiliated spin-off ventures. The institute's teams published in journals such as Nature Nanotechnology, Science, and Physical Review Letters and participated in community efforts including conferences organized by the American Physical Society and Materials Research Society.

Affiliations and Collaborations

The institute maintains formal ties with The Kavli Foundation, Cornell's colleges including the College of Engineering, Cornell University and the College of Arts and Sciences, Cornell University, and research partners at national laboratories such as Brookhaven National Laboratory and National Institute of Standards and Technology. International collaborations include exchanges with laboratories at University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, and Tsinghua University. Industry partnerships span multinational firms like IBM, Intel, and Samsung, while technology transfer and entrepreneurship interfaces work with organizations such as Cornell Tech and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Education and Outreach

Educational programs target graduate students and postdoctoral researchers within programs such as the Cornell Graduate School and training initiatives connected to the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Outreach includes workshops and seminars linked to societies like the Materials Research Society and the American Institute of Physics, public lectures in Ithaca coordinated with Cornell Public Service Center activities, and workforce development efforts that interface with regional organizations like the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center. The institute supports curricula in nanoscience-related courses across departments and contributes to interdisciplinary doctoral training aligned with national training models and grant mechanisms administered by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health.

Category:Cornell University Category:Research institutes in New York (state)