CALIFORNIA NANOSYSTEMS INSTITUTE AT UCLA
California Nanosystems Institute is a multidisciplinary center focused
on creating revolutionary new materials, devices and systems that will
enhance virtually every aspect of our lives.
The California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA (CNSI) was founded in 2000 as part of the statewide California Institutes for Science and Innovation (CAL-ISI) initiative to keep California at the forefront of innovation and technology through advanced academic research and partnership with the private sector.
Team Science Research
In the 20 years since, CNSI has become a leader in basic and applied research, producing high impact discoveries in the areas of health, clean energy, environment, and information technology. The Institute houses infrastructure for physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering intermixed in communal laboratories with the capacity to support diverse teams of investigators. CNSI is a hub of multidisciplinary research activity on campus, with over 300 faculty members from 35 departments across UCLA.
State of the Art – CNSI Technology Centers
Six CNSI technology centers provide advanced research capabilities to UCLA investigators and colleagues from other universities, start-up companies and industry partners. These capabilities include high-throughput molecular screening to discover novel drug candidates, cryoelectron imaging to reveal atomic structures ranging from new materials to therapeutic targets, super-resolution light microscopy for examining the behavior of single molecules within cells, and nanofabrication facilities for observing and manipulating matter at the nanoscale. In addition to providing leading-edge technologies, our centers invent them, giving UCLA researchers and entrepreneurs a unique competitive advantage.
Education and Outreach
The CNSI Education program at UCLA is committed to inspiring the next generation of leaders who will solve the grand challenges affecting our society. Exposure to stimulating hands-on science early in a student’s education is a proven predictor of successful completion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees at the university level. CNSI advances K-12 STEM education through its high-impact nanoscience teacher training workshops high school summer programs, public outreach events, and our annual Nanovation Competition that links entrepreneurship with science.
Magnify Incubator at CNSI
The Magnify Incubator at the CNSI provides capital efficient resources for early stage start-up companies working on scientific innovations to address unmet needs.
Magnify currently hosts 30 start-up companies largely founded on intellectual property generated by UCLA faculty and researchers. Magnify companies have access to state-of-the-art scientific equipment and advanced instrumentation through CNSI’s Technology Centers, a network of mentors, a community of entrepreneurs, and organized partnering meetings; all geared to increase the likelihood of success.