Great Northeast Nanofab (GNN) will leverage the cutting-edge expertise of the region’s universities and provide a focus for nanotechnology research in the northeast. The centre is based in the heart of Newcastle with spokes across Durham, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside universities. It will support teaching, training, and research in the region while also provide services to local high-tech companies developing a range of products, from quantum sensors to medical devices.

The centre is the result of investment from Newcastle University, matched by a £3M government grant, alongside support from 20 North East high-tech companies.

Opening in January 2027, the facility will provide a specialist ultra-clean environment where  devices and components less than a millionth of a meter wide can be designed, fabricated and tested. These technologies are essential to many areas of modern life such as our mobile phones along with medical devices, sensors, clean energy, communications, electric vehicles, computer and quantum technologies.

A proud manufacturing heritage

Professor Patrick Degenaar, Professor of Neuroprosthetics and project lead at Newcastle University, said: “Great Northeast Nanofab is the infrastructure which will allow local industry to prototype advanced products before scaling to manufacturing. In our fast-moving world, shortening development cycles support the region’s growth. The Centre will also support students and researchers achieve groundbreaking blue-sky research.”

Dr Toby Hallam, Associate Dean for Infrastructure at Newcastle University, said: “The North East has a proud manufacturing heritage and a growing base of high-technology companies, by providing world-class facilities for research, development and prototyping, we are creating the foundations for the next generation of technologies, businesses and skilled talent that will drive economic growth across the region for decades to come.”

Dr Iddo Amit, Associate Professor in Electronic Materials at Durham University’s Department of Engineering, said: “Durham University is delighted to support Great Northeast Nanofab, which will be transformative for research in quantum materials and devices, energy harvesting and storage, biomedical applications, and clean technologies. We are proud to contribute our distinctive strengths in advanced characterisation and materials deposition, enabling new discoveries and accelerating collaboration across the North East to deliver impactful science and innovation.”

Professor Hamdi Torun, Associate Head of the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics at Northumbria University, said: "Northumbria brings complementary expertise and capabilities in microfabrication, and this facility creates real opportunities for closer collaboration across the region. Together, we can strengthen the North East's profile in this field and the wide range of industries it underpins."

Developing critical skills across the region

The facility will also play an important role in developing critical skills across the region. Students and early-career researchers will gain hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing environments, helping to build the technical workforce needed by industry regionally and nationally. By building this capability to the North East, the universities are supporting support innovation, attracting investment, strengthening local supply chains and helping the region contribute to strategically important technologies.

Professor Jo Crotty, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Global Engagement at the University of Sunderland, said: “Great Northeast Nanofab represents a significant step forward for our region’s research and innovation network. By bringing together the strengths of our universities and partners, this initiative will enable cutting-edge development in critical technologies while supporting skills, collaboration and economic growth across the North East. We are proud to contribute our expertise to this ambitious and impactful programme.”

Professor David Hughes, Associate Dean of Research and Innovation in Teesside University’s School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, said: “Great Northeast Nanofab Centre represents a significant step forward for the region, in bringing together the complementary strengths of our universities to create a truly world-class capability.

“We are proud to contribute our expertise to this collaborative venture, which will not only accelerate cutting-edge research and development, but also support local businesses to innovate and grow. Importantly, it will also provide our students with access to advanced facilities and hands-on experience, helping to develop the highly skilled workforce needed for the technologies of the future.”

For businesses interested in finding out more about the opportunities of Great Northeast Nanofab: Dr Johannes Gausden.