Nanotechnology has been defined as the precise and purposeful manipulation of matter at the atomic level. The Center for NanoTechnology was established as part of the University of Washington's Initiative Fund awards for 1997, which emphasize a campus-wide interdisciplinary approach to intellectual and educational paths, while strengthening undergraduate and graduate education, extending the scope of research, and providing new approaches to public service. Professors Viola Vogel of the Bioengineering department and Charles Campbell of Chemistry are the director and co-director, respectively, of the Center; both are also adjunct members of the Physics Department faculty. The Center's driving force will be a marriage of physical, life, and engineering sciences, areas in which the University of Washington has broad strength. In biomedical science, the University has an international reputation, as well as an enviable track record, of fruitful collaboration with engineering. At the same time, it has unusual strength in surface chemistry, surface analysis and condensed-matter physics, knowledge that will be fundamental both to property prediction and nanoparticle fabrication. The alliance of these disciplines - all focused on nanoscience and nanotechnology - will be essential to link current conceptual gaps. Industry focuses mainly on solid nanoparticles, whereas nature builds nanosized structures out of supramolecular assemblies. With expertise in both realms, the Center for NanoTechnology is in an excellent position to bridge the gaps and optimize the design, construction and implementation of a broad array of innovative and useful nanostructure applications. Starting with the seed money supplied by UW, the Center for Nanofabrication will begin to bring new apparatus and capabilities relevant to nanofabrication to the UW campus. Some funding for graduate students on Center fellowships is available, and the existence of shared Center resources is expected to further enhance the competitive standing of the UW in the search for research funding in nanofabrication and related sciences and technologies. Several regular physics department faculty will also be members of the new Center, contact Prof. Marjorie Olmstead for more information.