What are your goals?
In general terms, the IMN's aims are to promote, coordinate, and develop scientific, technical, advisory, and training activities designed to achieve a better understanding of the chemical and physical processes of materials, as well as the most advanced technologies and procedures, in fields such as nanotechnology and nanoscience, and those related to them, and in particular, their application in devices and processes with specific applications in strategic sectors of the Canary Islands and in the national and international competitive environment. Thus, the IMN will collaborate with Faculties, Schools, Departments, Institutes, and other Centers affiliated with, linked to, or associated with the Universities of the Canary Islands, as well as with the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) and other public and private, national and international organizations.
In more concrete terms, and as stated in the IMN's internal regulations, the specific objectives of the Institute are:
a) To promote, coordinate and develop quality research in the field of Materials Science and Technology at the University of La Laguna, without prejudice to fostering collaboration and exchange with other Canary Island institutions, as well as with similar institutions at the national and international level.
b) To promote, coordinate, and develop research projects or other types of studies or collaborations, both fundamental and experimental, such as the development and optimization of methodologies for the preparation, characterization, and determination of advanced properties; the development and processing of new materials and instrumentation; as well as those related to the technological applications of materials and production techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on those aspects whose study and development at the nanometric or molecular scale is crucial.
c) To promote and develop research, development and innovation activities in collaboration with industrial companies, as well as to provide scientific and technical advisory services to them, paying special attention to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises and, in particular, to the demands of those based in the Canary Islands.
d) To promote and develop research and development activities in collaboration with public administrations, as well as to provide scientific and technical advisory services to them, both at the regional and local levels.
e) Promote processes and applications that favor sustainable development, that is, the introduction of clean technologies and products that result in energy savings, environmental protection, improved safety and health for users, etc.
f) To promote and develop activities aimed at training personnel, both scientific and specialized technical, in the different areas of action of Materials and Nanotechnology, in order to strengthen the scientific and technological capacity of our society, both in the regional and national environment as well as in the European Union.
g) To promote, by the means at its disposal and in accordance with current legislation, the application, dissemination, diffusion and transfer or exploitation of the results of research in the field of Materials and Nanotechnology.
h) Promote the exchange of researchers and postgraduate students with national and foreign counterpart institutions.
i) To offer postgraduate education to people from developing regions, with particular attention to Latin America and Africa.