Nanotechnology is the science of creating materials and machines at the atomic and molecular levels.
The program in nanotechnology will coordinate the ongoing research of approximately one-fourth of the Rice faculty in the schools of natural sciences and engineering. The new building's site on campus has not yet been selected. In addition to the research laboratories and special instrumentation required for the nanotechnology program, the new building will house the headquarters and teaching laboratories for the university's Department of Chemistry. Approximately half the faculty of the chemistry department will eventually reside in the new building. It will put Rice in the forefront of research and education in this revolution in science and engineering and keep us there for many years to come.