About the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology

Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology logo

Our research is about science and engineering at the atomic scale. That is the design, fabrication and exploitation of materials and structures where dimensions are measured in billionths of a meter (10^-9 m) - a nanometer.

The extraordinary range of possibilities offered by nanotechnology is based on the fact that the properties of materials change – sometimes radically – when their size approaches that of a few tens or hundreds of atoms.

By taking advantage of the unique phenomena which predominate at the atomic scale, our scientists and engineers are making fundamental breakthroughs, discoveries and innovations that will have both local and global impact for all Canadians.

Mission & Vision

Our vision

A Global Centre of Excellence for Nanotechnology and its Applications

Our philosophy

Interdisciplinary means:

Working in teams
Integrated complementary skills and understanding
Fostering collaboration and partnerships with external partners
Common goals & addressing major challenges

Our organization

Centre of excellence means:

Recognition, well respected and international profile
Quality people, facilities, programs
High standards, professional, fast response
Open and accessible

What we do

Research and innovation means:

Novel research
Pioneering discovery and engineering emerging technology
Full spectrum innovation (i.e. not just technological innovation, but innovation in policy, funding, hiring, programs)
Focused priorities

How we are measured

Global impact means:

Being held accountable for great things
International in scope
Commercialization and partnerships
Focus on major challenges
Improving quality of life

Strategic framework

"Operationalizing" our mission and vision

Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) created a Strategic Framework to translate the high-level vision into the "work of the organization." The framework links the attributes of the mission and vision with the operational activities and programs of the organization. These activities and programs are designed to administer infrastructure, support scholarly performance, foster partnerships and drive business outcomes.

When vision attributes and operating themes are mapped together, a framework is created that can be used as a "planning tool" to define and deploy the institutes annual goals, programs and activities that support the vision. The framework can also be used as a scorecard at the end of the year to evaluate performance against goals and to demonstrate the "value-added" by the institute.