Nanotechnology Capabilities in the Innovation Valley

The Innovation Valley is positioning itself as the destination of choice in the coming nanotech era.

$2 Billion of research facilities will soon be available to companies and universities for use in the characterization, simulation, design and fabrication of nanoscale materials.  The Innovation Valley will be one of the only places in the entire world that all of these capabilities will be available.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is deploying the most advanced small tech research tools in the world:

• The Center for Nanophase Materials Science
• The $1.4 Billion Spallation Neutron Source
• The Center for Computational Sciences
• The recently upgraded High Flux Isotope Reactor

To complement the unique talent that ORNL offers the private sector, the University of Tennessee is working with the lab and local leaders to align its curriculum and training programs to prepare a nanotech enabled workforce.

Along with training programs, the newly formed East Tennessee Nano Initiatve has been established to complement the efforts of Tech 2020 and the Centers for Entreprenuerial Growth.  Tech 2020 manages 3 technology business incubators in Oak Ridge, Knox County, and the University of Tennesee. 

ETNI will serve both existing and startup companies in the area by focusing on tech transfer, capital formation, incubation and technical business assistance.  ETNI will also serve as an outreach and public education forum on nanotech in the Innovation Valley.

Research, training, business support, and a strong business climate are all compelling reasons that companies will be taking a second look at Knoxville - Oak Ridge for their future expansion plans.