Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology

Small. Tiny. Nano.

There’s no one definition for ‘nanotechnology,’ but we like to think of it as the organisation and manipulation of molecules to form new and useful structures. It involves knowledge from chemistry, physics, biology and materials science. Nanotechnology touches many aspects of our everyday lives, such as particles used to make sunscreen transparent or to control the slow release of drugs.

The Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology is a hub of nanotechnology research and education. We work across energy, health and other biological processes, environment, and security—and not just for the peer-reviewed publications. Our team works with business and industry, connecting real-world problems with research-driven solutions.

Our advances and discoveries have found their way into many industries—from medicine, to forensics, to solar energy. It is the work of over 100 researchers, students and affiliated researchers who collaborate with people around the world, from regional South Australia to partners in the UK, Italy, France, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

Strategic research areas

Share our equipment and facilities

Study nanotechnology

Real-world engagement

Scientific image competition

Researchers from our institute capture hundreds of images every year as they explore problems and processes on a nanoscale. These amazing images are rarely shared outside of the research context.

Our Scientific Image Competition is a chance to celebrate the unique images produced, as well as the diverse research behind them.

View past winning images and entries

Our strategic research areas

Environment

We’re working to protect, preserve and restore the Earth’s most precious resources.

green chemistry
clean technology
antifouling coatings
environmentally friendly mining
mercury remediation

Explore planet-saving science

Energy

We aim to innovate the ways we generate, store and use energy to meet the demands of the 21^st century.

flexible electronics
silicon alternative devices
transparent electrodes
energy storage
concentrated solar

Learn about innovative energy

Bio-Nano

We want to better understand biological processes and improve health and quality of life around the world.

biosensors
antibacterial coatings
drug-membrane interactions
synthesis via biomimicry

Change the way you view biology

Security

We are protecting Australian people from threats at home and abroad.

explosives detection at a distance
forensic drug chemistry
banknote security
chemical sensors

Sharing the load

To solve problems as big as climate change and understand things as complex as the human body, we need to work together.

At the Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology we collaborate with each other, researchers from other universities, not-for-profits, industry and government. We are all different. We are biologists, physicists, chemists and engineers. We are big picture thinkers and detail-orientated problem solvers. We are creative and we are practical.

What we have in common is that we are passionate. We love our work. We share a vision for a better world—a world of cleaner, greener science and technology. Scientific breakthroughs are not enough to achieve that goal. We need to address political, social, economic and environmental challenges. We need collaborators in every industry, level of government and country to make real change.

I don’t think anyone can work in isolation. We work with people all over the world. You need that. Everyone has limited resources in terms of funding and people, so it helps if you can pool that together.

Associate Professor Ingo Köper

Are you doing your own exciting research?

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Study nanotechnology at Flinders

Be part of the exciting world of nanotechnology!

Bring together physics, chemistry and biology as you tackle the challenges of the future. Develop an understanding of cutting-edge science and technology to launch you into your commercial career, or step into research with creativity, innovation and big ideas.

Explore a future in nanotechnology

Research gets you out of the classroom and allows you to wade into the unknown, into something new and exciting.

Dr Justin Chalker

New Flinders developed polymer made from recycled waste has real magnetic appeal

A new multi-functional material which can be used to purify water, as a recyclable construction material, as a lightweight machine component for possible use in soft robotics and can also be moved remotely by a magnet has been created and tested in the Chalker Research Lab at Flinders University. Find out more in the video.

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