Introduction to NAMI

The Nano and Advanced Materials Center, hosted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), was incorporated as a not-for-profit company in Hong Kong, and was called Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited (NAMI). In partnership with local industries, the new company (NAMI) will conduct market-driven, demand-led development of nanotechnology and advanced materials. Such materials are relevant to the sustained economic growth of Hong Kong as a knowledge-based economy.

Mission

NAMI will be established for the purpose of:

• Developing core competences in nanotechnology and advanced materials to offer a powerful technology platform that could lead to a wide spectrum of innovative products;
  
  
• Acting as the focal point for conducting market-driven, demand-led R&D aimed at the technology upgrading of regional enterprises;
  
  
• Training human resources in nanotechnology and advanced materials for the present and future needs of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region.

Focus Areas

NAMI will focus on five core technology areas, namely:

1. Nanomaterials : functionalisation & applications
2. Nanotechnology enabled nano opto-electronics
3. Nano-structured / textured material applications
4. Advanced materials for electronic packaging and other applications
5. Forming of advanced materials

Collaborations

NAMI will be operated as an open R&D platform. All local research institutions will be invited to participate at the project level to conduct market-driven, demand-led development of nanotechnology and advanced materials.

• As the focal point of nanotechnology research in Hong Kong, NAMI will actively seek collaborations with applied research institutions worldwide. A close collaboration with mainland research institutions is highly desirable.
  
  
• At the project level, the research team will work hand-in-hand with the industrial sponsor/partners. In addition, NAMI will provide services to local industries at large through the Industrial Consortium.
  
  
• NAMI will connect with other organizations aimed at promoting nanotechnology to keep abreast of international market trends and to arouse awareness of the general public on the development of nanotechnology.

Social Benefits

• When successful research is turned into useful products with more functions, yet use less material to build, less energy to operate and create less waste at the end, the quality of life of the public will be improved.
  
  
• The R&D effort will contribute to the transition of Hong Kong to a knowledge-based economy, and ensure that nanotechnology does not become another area in which our industrialists become dependent on technology licensed for other countries.
  
  
• NAMI will also serve to promote the responsible use on nanotechnology in Hong Kong. By educating the public, hopefully, the public awareness of the true nature of nanotechnology and relevant products will be increased.