NIMET
The Nanoscience Institute for Medical and Engineering Technology (NIMET) was created to focus and coordinate research and educational activities at the University of Florida in the fields of nanoscale science and nanotechnology (NS&T). Research in nanoscience and related fields at UF has developed in several colleges and now involves the research of over eighty faculty and staff in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, engineering, and materials science.
Increasingly scientists at UF found their collaborations broadening to take advantage of the research opportunities arising at the interfaces of the traditional disciplines. Early planning by UF faculty researchers identified a need to establish a new research infrastructure for nanoscience that would not only create new, state-of-the-art research facilities; but would markedly strengthen and coalesce the existing nanotechnology research.
The NIMET Committee was formed to develop plans to address these opportunities. It included faculty and administrators from the Colleges of Engineering, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Medicine; the NIMET Director; representatives from the Office of Research; and members of the Facilities Planning & Construction organization from the University. The NIMET Committee helped justify funding from the State of Florida for construction of the new Nanoscale Research Facility (NRF), and worked actively with the design/construction team throughout the design phase to ensure that the future research needs were incorporated into the design of the new building.
The goals of NIMET are to:
- Consolidate and focus leading edge, multidisciplinary research and education at UF in the areas of nanoscale science and technology (NS&T).
- Provide world-class, centralized facilities, technical support and equipment for NS&T research.
- Train students in the use of NS&T techniques and equipment as part of their education, and to prepare them for future careers in nanotechnology.
- Create an open environment for research with universities, industry and national labs; and pursue major funding opportunities in NS&T.