Co-founded in December 2003 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China (NCNST) serves as China's premier state-level research hub dedicated to nanoscience and nanotechnology. Our mission is to function as a world-class center for original fundamental research and transformative industrial technologies, while serving as an open platform that fosters talent, international collaboration, and global innovation.

NCNST is anchored by a comprehensive research infrastructure, comprising key specialized divisions: the Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, the Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, the Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, the Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence for Nanoscience, and the Nanofabrication Laboratory. Additionally, our Division of Nanotechnology Development serves as a public technology platform providing advanced testing and characterization services.

NCNST is home to a distinguished faculty, including three CAS Members and numerous recipients of prestigious national and international research grants. As a degree‑granting institution, NCNST offers doctoral and master's programs in chemistry, materials, physics, and biology, supported by a vibrant postdoctoral community. The official recognition of "Nanoscience and Engineering" as a first‑level academic discipline in China in 2022 further underscores NCNST's pillar role in cultivating the next generation of scientists.

Over the past two decades, NCNST has emerged as a global leader in the field, consistently ranking among the "Top 10 Institutes of CAS" in the Nature Index. Our strategic priorities currently focus on the precise assembly of nanomaterials, ultra-sensitive measurement technologies, and the scalable production and disruptive application of nanomaterials. Notable achievements range from pioneering studies on nano-bio interactions, which helped advance the field of nanotoxicology, to seminal contributions in direct imaging of intermolecular hydrogen bond and controlled self‑assembly of nanoparticles. In the realm of technology translation, NCNST developed China's first "nano‑named" therapeutic drug to enter clinical trials and has successfully deployed specialized ultra‑black nano‑coatings on satellites.

NCNST plays a pivotal role in the standardization of nanotechnology. We host China's National Standard Verification Point for Nanomaterials and serve as the Domestic Technical Contact for key technical committees within International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), including ISO/TC 229 (Nanotechnologies), ISO/TC 281 (Fine Bubble Technology), and IEC/TC 113 (Nanotechnology for Electrotechnical Products and Systems). These efforts are dedicated to fostering the standardized, orderly growth of the nano-industry worldwide.

A cornerstone of our global engagement is ChinaNANO, a biennially held conference that is one of the world’s largest and most influential nanotechnology events. ChinaNANO attracts thousands of participants globally and features the Global Directors' Forum on Nanotechnology, convening leaders from major international institutions for high-level dialogue. In partnership with publishers such as Science, NCNST releases authoritative reports on global advances, key challenges, and future directions in the field, helping to guide worldwide research and development. Reflecting our academic leadership, NCNST co‑publishes a family of journals with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), including Nanoscale, Nanoscale Horizons, and Nanoscale Advances.

Through an integrated approach that combines cutting‑edge research, talent education, standard‑setting, and flagship international conferences, NCNST continues to drive innovation and foster a collaborative ecosystem for the global nano-community.