The Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (CIMaINa) was established in 2004 at the University of Milan by a grant of the Italian Ministry of Education, to be the hub for the integration and merging of research activities relevant for nanotechnology coming from disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology and Medicine.
CIMaINa owns dedicated laboratories and facilities in addition to already existing structures to promote a more intense cooperation between scientists with different backgrounds by sharing common infrastructures.
CIMaINa is committed to develop a deep understanding of the phenomena governing the interaction between inorganic and organic surfaces, at the nano- and microscale level. This fundamental knowledge is exploited for the development of novel fabrication processes, devices and systems for a variety of applications including catalysis, optoelectronics, chemical sensing, biomaterials, drug delivery, polymer therapeutics, cell biology, and postgenomics.
To this aim a long-term effort is directed along five main activities:
- Seeding the formation of multidisciplinary research groups for the development of cutting-edge investigation in the field of organic and inorganic nanostructured systems.
- Developing advanced capabilities for fabrication and modification of nanostructured surface and interfaces.
- Enhancing advanced characterization methods.
- Favouring the technology transfer of synthesis and modification processes by fostering collaborations with industrial and financial partners.
- Developing new and interdisciplinary educational approaches in the field of nanotechnology to act as a school of excellence for graduate and post-graduate studies.