History:

In 1993, the Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology was conceived by the late Nobel Laureate Professor Richard E. Smalley. Under his guidance, a task force was formed to define the nanotechnology initiative at Rice University. This initiative was fully supported by the University and a major fund-raising campaign was conducted, generating $37 million for nanotechnology research. 

Several prestigious faculty members were hired and construction of a new 70,000-square-foot laboratory was completed in 1997.  Over the years, Rice has becomed renowned as a focal point for nanotechnology advancement and is the birthplace of the Buckminsterfullerene, C60 (better known as the buckyball). Intergration of nanotechnology with other branches of science, interdisciplinary engineering, and international ventures have helped push Rice University's nanotechnology department to the cutting edge of science.

          The following is a timeline summarizing the growth and key milestones for the Smalley Institute, presented in reverse chronological order:

2005—4th Annual Tunafest held
2005—Rice  nanotechnology patent portfolio ranked #1 in USA (Small Times Magazine)
2005—NanoFANS membership grows to more than 100 members
2005—Guiness world record nanotube model built!
2005—10th spin-off company started based on Rice research technology
2005—100 Faculty members associated with the Smalley Institute
2005—Texas Community College Nanotechnology Program developed

2004—International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) started within CBEN
2004—First Peter and Ruth Nicholas Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded
2004—First undergraduate Nanotechnology course taught
2004—3rd Annual Tunafest held
2004—Shared Equipment Authority Clean Room Dedicated
2004—Laboratory for Nanophotonics (LANP) started
2004—Second Continuing Studies Course on Nanotechnology is presented for community
2004—The Smalley Institute helps create  Alliance for NanoHealth
2004—Second Energy and Nanotechnology Conference is held: "Prospects for Solar Energy in the 21st Century"

2003—10th Anniversary of the Smalley Institute!!
2003— Executive Director for CNL, Howard Schmidt, is hired
2003—Carbon Nanotechnology Lab (CNL) is formalized by Rice and placed under the Smalley Institute
2003—First Energy and Nanotechnology Conference is held: "Strategy for the Future" 
          -Executive Summary Report for Conference           
           -Full Conference Report
2003—2nd Annual Tunafest held
2003—The Smalley Institute helps create first  Nanomaterials for Defense Applications Meeting
2003—NanoKids  pilot program started in Houston schools
2003—NanoFANS  is created

2002—The Smalley Institute assumes responsibility for SEA
2002—First  J. Evans-Atwell Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded
2002—First Continuing Studies Course in Nanotechnology presented for community
2002—1st Annual Tunafest held
2002—Strategic Partnership for Research in Nanotechnology (SPRING) is created
2002—The Smalley Institute hosts the Southern U.S. Regional  National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) Workshop       Full Workshop Report
2002—50 Faculty members in the Smalley Institute
 
The arrival of a new Director and appointment of an Administrative Director,  Carlos Garcia,  for the Smalley Institute results in rapid expansion of programs and efforts for the Smalley Institute

2002—Wade Adams becomes new Smalley Institute Director;  Richard Smalley becomes Founding Director

2001—Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology  (CBEN) Grant is awarded
2001—Shared Equipment Authority (SEA) is created

2000—CNI (Carbon Nanotechnologies, Inc.) spinoff started

1999—Space Science building is renovated
1997—New Building is dedicated—Dell Butcher Hall
1996—Curl/Smalley win Nobel Prize in Chemistry
1993—Fundraising by Rice ($37M)
1993—The Smalley Institute approved by Board of Governors;  Professor Richard Smalley appointed Director