The mission of the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is to advance the scientific and technological knowledge by conducting both basic and applied research in a wide range of Physical, Chemical and Engineering Sciences with a specific emphasis at the nano-scale and with the vision to promote scientific excellence and address socio-economic challenges. The research activities span from the study of processes to the development of materials, devices and systems driven by scientific excellence and innovation. Special attention is given to the exploitation of the results for the benefit of the Greek Economy and Society in key socio-economic sectors including Nano- and Microelectronics, Photonics, Information Technology, Energy, Natural and Built Environment, Health, Food, Cultural Heritage and Space.

The mission of INN is driven by the following objectives:

• To conduct basic and applied research and to foster innovation in a wide area of scientific fields including:
  • Materials science and technology with focus on the synthesis, fabrication, and systematic study of novel magnetic, superconducting, and semiconducting materials, especially at the nanoscale
  • Chemical Sciences spanning from molecular and supramolecular functional materials, nanochemistry for solar energy and environment, to membranes and advanced nanostructured, self-assembled and complex materials for multipurpose applications
  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, especially the development, characterization, modeling and exploitation of novel nanostructured and nano-enabled materials
  • Micro-Nanofabrication, Nanoelectronics, Photonics, Sensors and Microsystems
  • Cultural Heritage
• To support a rich educational and training agenda, which includes partnerships with Greek Universities in numerous Master courses, the supervision of PhD dissertations and Master’s theses (along with the procurement of necessary funds and through the institute’s infrastructure), as well as technical training for companies and individuals.
• To promote the transfer of R&D results into specific knowledge-intensive products and create a rich IP portfolio.
• To promote R&D&I transnational cooperation and networking in order to contribute to the European scientific excellence and industry competitiveness.
• To provide scientific expertise and access to cutting-edge facilities in materials synthesis/growth and characterization, micro-nanofabrication and device characterization, supported by theory and simulation, for academic, industrial and government bodies in Greece and abroad.
• To provide high level, specialized services and test-bed facilities to the Industry.

As a public research organization, INN fully supports the national policies aiming to strengthen R&D&I in order to become a robust pillar for Greek enterprises and to contribute to their competitiveness and productivity, and to the sustainable growth of the national economy through high added-value knowledge-based products and services. Moreover, INN aspires to be an integral part of Greek Society and its larger European family by including in its priorities the development of solutions that will improve the wellbeing of citizens (addressing thus significant societal issues, such as inclusiveness, quality of life, safety) and to the promotion of values, such as scientific excellence, spirit of cooperation, diversity and appreciation for creative thinking.

In light of the above, INN aims at having a four-fold socioeconomic role that can be summarized as follows:

a) to develop innovative, high added-value products and services in key economic sectors

b) to establish a prototype hub, providing the necessary means and know-how for the fabrication and the evaluation of novel products for businesses, enterprises and the academic sector

c) to translate the outcomes into tangible benefits for Society, while striving for an uninterrupted bi-directional connection with the citizens

d) to promote and preserve cultural heritage by developing science-based techniques for dating and reconstructing ancient technology and environment as well as engaging nanomaterials and nanotechnology in conservation of monuments.

To accomplish this four-fold target, the R&D&Ι activities of the Institute are in line with the Horizon Europe Missions & European Key Enabling Technologies as well as the RIS3 national priorities for smart specialization that aim to enhance the national knowledge-generated production and competitiveness.

To that end, INN exploits its amassed experience and expertise, combines it with the long-standing scientific excellence and the young talent it nurtures through its education activities, with scope to contribute to the following prioritized sectors:

(i) Information and Communication Technologies (materials and devices for information storage, processing etc),

(ii) Energy, Energy-efficient Solutions and alternative Energy Sources (such as materials and systems for energy harvesting and energy efficient industrial processes, solid state lighting, novel hard magnetic materials, etc),

(iii) Environmental Monitoring and Preservation (e.g. materials for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, waste water treatment, CO2 capture and storage, cost-efficient environmental sensors and sensor networks),

(iv) Medicine and Healthcare (e.g. biosensors, targeted drug delivery, natural products synthesis, lab-on-a-chip), (v) Food Safety and Quality (e.g. sensors for detection of harmful substances, RFID tracking systems etc),

(vi) Agro-food (e.g. materials, systems and sensor networks for soil condition or crop growth monitoring etc) and

(vii) Industrial processes and applications (e.g. functional nanostructured hybrid materials)

Additionally, INN coordinates key national infrastructure initiatives (INNOVATION.EL) and has established strong ties to the industrial sector and SMEs through the participation to commercial associations as well as the participation in commercially-driven projects aiming to develop new products according to industrial needs and specifications.

Finally, INN maintains with enthusiasm and unwavering dedication networking and outreach activities not targeted at publicity, but with the ultimate goal of immediately recognizing newly-emerging societal challenges and industrial needs, to readily adapt to the demands of dizzyingly-evolving knowledge economies and be of practical service to Society, and to instigate to the newer generation a passion for STEM activities and creative thinking.