About Us

Why is there a need for the Institute?

Given anticipated growth in nanotechnology-based products and processes, and the relative infancy of the nanoscience sector, it is recognised that a tremendous opportunity exists for Monash University to establish a dedicated nanoscience and nanotechnology institute with capabilities in strategy, research coordination, project management and commercialisation. 

Monash’s strengths in biomedicine, pharmacy and chemistry, when combined with its breadth of expertise in engineering, mathematics and physics, provide a solid foundation on which to build the critical mass needed to become a globally-competitive nanoscience research and nanotechnology development operation; this is further supported by strategic developments within the scientific precinct at Clayton.

Vision

The Institute was founded with the expectation that the technologies arising from its research activities would be commercialised (see Business Opportunities ) and widely deployed to the economic, environmental and social benefit of those using them. With the recognition that nanotechnologies will deliver targeted solutions for people and industry, the vision of the Institute is that:

Monash will be a globally recognised brand for developingnanotechnology-enabled health and sustainability solutions.

Mission

To meet the needs of the University, to create significant value in the Institute and to focus the activities of all who contribute to its operations, the mission is:

To identify strategic areas that couple well to our stakeholders’ needs and rapidly create self-sufficient, cohesive units within Monash to deliver them.

Objectives

The Institute has the dual objective of raising the international profile of Monash and delivering high quality research and technology to the benefit of industry and society.

We aim to increase Monash’s ability to innovate by;

- Increasing the levels of strategic collaboration between researchers (particularly international, both industrial and academic) and its R&D centers,

- Providing support to the public and political (policy) environment ,

- Diversifying Monash’s nanotechnology portfolio in the areas of environmental sustainability and healthcare.

The Institute’s potential strengths emerge from the full range of traditional Departmental strengths at Monash, together with specialist capabilities that include; advanced metals, organics and composite materials, new process and manufacturing routes, characterisation (a large array of bio and non-bio capabilities), modelling, microfluidics and other device technologies, clinical capabilities (from lab to pre-production), drug design and formulation capabilities, biomimetic systems, health and safety, regulatory, social and ethical capabilities.

Themes

The Monash University Institute for Nanosciences, Materials and Manufacture represents areas of strength in nanotechnology covering two primary sectors; namely healthcare and sustainability. These two areas are subdivided into specific technical areas of expertise, from which emerge cross-cutting application areas that can form the basis of major strategic new endeavours.