Cutting-edge nano manufacturing, handling center leads way

The International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, located in Changchun, the capital of Jilin province, has made great strides in nano measurement, nano handling, and laser-based nano manufacturing, fostering the province's development in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Nano refers to a branch of science and technology dealing with the manipulation of atoms and molecules.

The facility, part of Changchun University of Science and Technology, was founded in 2009 as the Centre for Nano Metrology and Manufacturing Technologies, or CNM.

Aiming to establish a world-class center for creative or innovative research and the training of research students in the areas of nano measurement, handling and manufacturing, in 2013 the CNM was recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology as the International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China.

In total, the research center has undertaken more than 30 national scientific research projects over the past nine years. Among these have been projects for the International Science and Technology Cooperation Program of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

The Science Citation Index and the Engineering Index has included more than 150 articles published by the International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China.

The research center has obtained 16 invention patents to develop advanced materials, which have been applied with success in the national defense and new energy sectors.

Officials say that the center pays close attention to popularizing nanotechnology knowledge and is involved in international academic exchanges and cooperation.

As part of the popularizing process, the research center is opened to the public twice a year, to expose more people to nanotechnology.

It has established cooperative relations with 22 domestic colleges and universities, scientific research institutions and enterprises, as well as 19 foreign universities from 11 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Russia and the United States.

Each year, the center plays host to international experts, scholars and graduate students conducting short and medium-term academic visits, offering opportunities to scholars at home and abroad to communicate with each other.

"It's one small step for every science researcher like us and one giant leap for our country," said Wang Zuobin, professor at Changchun University of Science and Technology and director of the International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China.

Wang donates his 200,000-yuan ($31,226) annual income to develop the center and fund promising students, stimulating them to conduct innovative research and development.

In its nine years after founding, the International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China has expanded its area to 1,000 square meters from the original 40 sq m, and its staff has grown from seven to more than 110.

Changchun University of Science and Technology has strong links with another scientist, Jiang Huilin. Jiang has long been engaged in optical technology and photoelectric instrument teaching and research.

He graduated from the university and once worked as its president.

Jiang is known as a third-generation representative in the field of Chinese optics.

Contact the writers at zhangdandan@chinadaily.com.cn