Mission, Goals and Governance

MISSION

i3N conducts research in the strongly multidisciplinary field  of advanced materials, nanotechnology and nanosciences.

The mission of i3N is:

  • Promoting scientific excellence and innovation in Sustainable Functional Advanced Materials, supported by computing modelling, for socio-economical ends;
  • Remaining at the international leading edge of research by fostering breakthrough concepts and novel processes and materials multifunctionalities to be integrated in devices and systems, and foster the need for tank thinking changes towards the development of eco-sustainable products to serve key sectors such as energy, health, ICT and agri-food;
  • Promoting practical application of R&D+I results, via start-ups and technology transfer to the industry
  • To provide access to the Institute facilities to the external technical-scientific community; 
  • To promote academic excellence by fostering a team-based scientific environment built on the passion, talent and skills of our members that covers key areas of knowledge in a quite complementary way;
  • To raise public awareness, engagement and understanding of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, by promoting scientific literacy. That is, to open i3N to citizens.
  • Providing scientific and technical evidences able to sustain the Public Policies for the changes of the future.

i3n has defined the following key performance indicators for achieving its mission:

  • Scientific papers in high ranked journals;
  • Balance between national funds and externally funds, specially through European Projects and Contracts with industry;
  • Knowledge/Technology Transfer, with an active patent and licensing policy;
  • Maintenance and improvement of our internationally recognized state-of-art infrastructures.
GOALS

i3N focuses on three main issues to pursue its mission:

  • To create a top environment for international scientific talent;
  • To create strong multidisciplinary cohesion within the infrastructure;
  • To be a national leader and international key player in nanotechnology and advance materials.

 i3N will work on 4 specific objectives, which are:

  1. Cultivation of innovation culture enabled by cross-border R&D+I activities on the crosscutting edge of science and innovation.
  2. Education, technical and entrepreneurship training.
  3. Consolidating i3N linkages towards European and Portuguese initiatives, by establishing
    innovation poles of attraction.
  4. Attain sustainability through maximizing collaborations and pre-planning mobility and networking projects at national and international levels.