". . . advancing human understanding of nanoscale materials. . ."

The Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials was established at Clark Atlanta University on November 1, 2006. The programs and activities of the Center are designed to meet the dual goals of advancing human understanding in the area of nanoscale materials and of increasing the capacity of Clark Atlanta University to train talented scientists in the physical sciences. The Center, though residing at Clark Atlanta University, is multi-institutional and brings into a mutually beneficial and cooperative relationship two-year and four-year colleges, research universities and the K-12 community. Furthermore, the Center brings together researchers and educators from different disciplines with demonstrated and complementary strengths in quality research and training students.

THE CENTER'S MISSION

In establishing the Center, the University has charged it with several important tasks. Among them are:

• to conduct beneficial and innovative research with the objective of realizing the potential of nanotechnology for the benefit of the Nation and all humanity.
• to increase the number of students pursuing graduate and undergraduate degrees in the natural and physical sciences by increasing the number of students, in the precollege and two-year college pipeline, who will pursue degrees in the natural and physical sciences.
• to enhance the productivity of participating researchers by a program of infrastructure enrichment.

THE CENTER'S VISION STATEMENT

The nanosciences lie at the interface of two very important size domains, yet there are substances that have properties unique to this domain and cannot be found in either of the domains with which it interfaces. Similarly, the Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials lies at the interface of not only disciplines but diverse institutions, and will yield fruits, which are unique to it and go far beyond what might have been anticipated from a simple union of its constituent parts. The Center will be an exceptional locus of extraordinary talent, visionary ideas and enthusiastic students and scholars, who will be dedicated to changing the world.

The Center will attract talented students and professionals to the University from all over the nation and around the world. Central to this vision is not only attracting the best talent to the University, but, in keeping with the mission of the University, also developing the yet untapped potential for greatness in its students. In addition to its highly motivating and nurturing environment, the Center will provide an atmosphere that facilitates the exchange of knowledge and ideas and will encourage innovation and creativity. To undergird these, the Center will have in place the infrastructure that makes such a vision possible. Professionals and nonprofessionals will look to the Center as a multifaceted regional and national resource.

CENTER PARTNERS

The Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials, in addition to bringing together students and researchers from diverse disciplines, also brings together local institutions as well as partners from across the nation and from around the world in a manner that makes the whole truly greater than the sum of its parts. The Center has a number of institutional partners with which it works, has active research collaborations, shares equipment and resources and cooperates in student training. Included among the Center's expanding list of institutional partners are the Atlanta area school systems, Cornell University, Emory University, Perimeter College and the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana.

THE UNIVERSITY

Clark Atlanta University is classified (Carnegie) as RU/H (Research University High Research Activity) and is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a member institution of the Atlanta University Center, which is a consortium of five colleges and universities located on contiguous campuses, and is the largest and the oldest center devoted to the education of minority students in the United States. The University offers the bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry and physics and the doctorate in chemistry.

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This is a National Science Foundation (NSF)/Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST)/
Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials (CFNM) supported grant (GRANT #HRD-0630456).