Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN)
Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN)

Spain: Asturias

Overview

The Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN) was created in November 2007 by a joint initiative of 3 institutions, the Spanish National Research Council  (CSIC), the Principality of Asturias and the University of Oviedo.

The CINN pursues the creation, characterization and understanding of the behavior of new multifunctional materials on the nano, micro and macro scale, overcoming thereby the performance constraints that limit present-day materials and processes and the research is focused on five applications fields: Energy, Health, Homeland Security and Defense, Industry and Information and Communication Technologies.

The CINN is specialized in the preparation of raw materials, particularly ceramics. The starting materials can be both micrometer size and nanometer. The laboratory is equipped to perform:

Preparation stable ceramic slurries . Rheological characterization.
Attrition milling of ceramic powders
Atomization of ceramic slurries in aqueous medium
Atomization of… Spark Plasma Sintering

The CINN has two Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) facilities:

A laboratory equipment for samples with a size up to 80 mm in diameter
An industrial scale research equipment for the fabrication of blanks up to 400 mm in diameter. Additionally, this equipment allows to carry out sintering in a hybrid Hot-Press / SPS mode.

The CINN has also a nanotechnology unit fully equipped with:

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) with pseudo-atomic resolution on metallic surfaces.

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) for the observation of magnetic domains.

Optical Lithography

Electron Beam Lithography

Reactive Ion Etching and Ion Beam Etching

The CINN has a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) microbiology laboratory fully equipped with the instrumental required to carry out a wide variety of standardized antimicrobial tests used in industry (type III biosafety cabinets, incubators, ovens ... ).
. The CINN offers the following services:

Fabrication of micro-and nanostructures using optical and electron beam lithography techniques
Characterization of micro-and nanostructures at the nanoscale using scanning microscopy techniques
Conditioning of raw materials, especially ceramics, to be used in forming and sintering processes (Preparation of Stable Ceramic Slurries, Attrition Milling, Spray-Drying, Freeze Drying)
Thermal treatments and sintering (Dilatometric Studies, Calcination Processes, Sintering)
Mechanical characterization (Hardness, Bending Strength, Compressive Strength, Toughness, Creep Resistance)

Electromagnetic Characterization. Since 2009, the CINN has used ellipsometry and related optical and magneto-optical techniques for the study of a wide variety of materials, both as thin films: metals, semiconductos, dielectrics and bulk materials: dielectrics, metals, composites, ferromagnetics.

Biocompatibility tests. The CINN offers tests for biological evaluation of…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Aeronautics & space - Automotive - Chemicals - Environment - Electronics - Healthcare - Machinery
Technology
Process industry (processing of novel materials, structures, etc.) - Additive manufacturing - Electronic and optical functional materials - Environmental materials (e.g. recycling, recourse efficiency, less impact, CO2 capture/ utilisation) - Industrial materials (incl. catalysts, membranes, adhesives, filters) - High performance materials (strong, light weight, resistant) - Smart and multifunctional materials (incl. phase change, shape memory, self-healing, self-manufacturing) - Surface engineering and coatings - Quantum technology - Optoelectronics (optical networks, optical sensors) - Power electronics - Analogue and mixed signal devices (µ-wave, RF, THz) - Nanomedicine - Nanostructured coatings - Nanoparticles Nanowires and tubes - Optical components & systems - Other