Nokia Cambridge Nanotechnology Research

In 2007, Nokia and the University of Cambridge agreed work together on an extensive and long term program of joint research projects. Nokia Research Center (NRC) established a research facility at the University's West Cambridge site and collaborated with several departments -- initially the Nanoscience Centre and Electrical Division of the Engineering Department -- on projects that, to begin with, centered on nanotechnology. Nokia initially based around ten people at Cambridge: the agreement was intended to be long-term and the number of Nokia researchers at the University increased over time. Cambridge was widely seen as a leader in nanotechnology research with successes across the University in nanoelectronics, novel materials and coatings, biologically inspired nanostructures, and advanced characterization tools.

Nanotechnology research, the manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular scale, has come a long way since its inception. Here's an overview of key moments and advancements in nanotechnology research over the years:

1. 1959 - Theoretical Foundation: Physicist Richard Feynman presented his famous lecture "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom," outlining the theoretical foundations of nanotechnology, though the term "nanotechnology" hadn't been coined yet.
2. 1974 - Coining of the Term: Norio Taniguchi, a professor at the Tokyo University of Science, coined the term "nanotechnology."
3. 1981 - Scanning Tunneling Microscope: IBM Zurich's Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer invented the scanning tunneling microscope, enabling scientists to see individual atoms for the first time. This invention won them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986.
4. 1985 - Discovery of Fullerenes: Harry Kroto, Richard Smalley, and Robert Curl discovered fullerenes (carbon atoms bonded together in a spherical shape), for which they won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996.
5. 1989 - Atomic Precision: IBM scientists used a scanning tunneling microscope to spell out "IBM" using individual xenon atoms, demonstrating the ability to manipulate single atoms precisely.
6. 1991 - Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes: Sumio Iijima discovered carbon nanotubes, cylindrical molecules composed of carbon atoms, which have extraordinary strength and unique electrical properties.
7. Early 2000s - Nanomaterials: The early part of the 21st century saw an explosion in the development of nanomaterials, with applications in electronics, medicine, energy, and more.
8. 2000s-2010s - Medical Applications: Significant advancements were made in using nanotechnology for medical applications, such as targeted drug delivery and improved imaging techniques.
9. 2010s-Present - Nanoelectronics and Quantum Computing: Nanotechnology is playing a crucial role in the development of quantum computers and advanced electronic devices. Researchers are working on developing nanoscale transistors and other components.
10. Current - Environmental Applications: Present research is also focusing on the use of nanotechnology to tackle environmental challenges, like water purification, renewable energy, and environmental remediation.

The field of nanotechnology is multidisciplinary, encompassing areas like physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and engineering. Its potential for future applications in various fields is enormous, and research is ongoing worldwide.