What: The Advanced Technology Institute (ATI). An interdisciplinary research centre for next-generation materials and devices for electronics and photonics.

Where: Custom-designed building at the University of Surrey

Established: Doors opened August 2002

People: Total staff of 147, including 27 academics; 38 postdoctoral students; 66 PhDs and 11 technicians

Research: Nanoelectronics; photonics; ion beam implantation and analysis; and theory and advanced computation

The ATI’s unifying research themes are nanotechnology, composites and sensors. Interests range from basic physical properties, to advanced electronic and photonic devices.

From the boss: “One of our first institutional publications was on the low temperature growth of carbon nanotubes, which highlighted the huge potential of this exceptional material for future electronics including interconnects, thermal composites, field emission displays, and nanophotonic applications,” says Professor Ravi Silva, director of the ATI.

“Now, almost three years later, we have begun field trials of a revolutionary nano-growth machine developed jointly with CEVP, a regional SME.”

www.ati.surrey.ac.uk