# California NanoSystems Institute

> an integrated research center operating jointly at UCLA and UC Santa Barbara

**Wikidata**: [Q5020704](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5020704)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_NanoSystems_Institute)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/california-nanosystems-institute

## Summary
The California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) is an integrated research center operating jointly at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara). Established in 2000, this United States-based research institute focuses on generating new knowledge in the fields of nanobiotechnology, biomedicine, and nanotechnology. It is formally recognized as a dedicated research organization distinct from standard academic departments.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** California NanoSystems Institute
- **Abbreviation:** CNSI
- **Inception:** 2000
- **Location:** United States; specifically Los Angeles and Santa Barbara County
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 34.068052, Longitude -118.442701
- **Parent Organizations:** University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, Santa Barbara
- **Website:** https://cnsi.ucla.edu/
- **Organization Type:** Research Institute
- **Fields of Work:** Nanobiotechnology, Biomedicine, Global Warming, Research, Nanotechnology
- **ROR ID:** 00q7fqf35
- **GRID ID:** grid.509979.b
- **ISNI:** 0000000476666191
- **VIAF ID:** 307446515
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no2013107324
- **Ringgold ID:** 542012
- **Open Funder Registry ID:** 100018432

## FAQs
### Q: How is the California NanoSystems Institute operated?
It operates as an integrated research center jointly managed by two universities: the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara).

### Q: What are the primary research fields of CNSI?
The institute's work spans several disciplines, including nanobiotechnology, biomedicine, global warming research, and general nanotechnology.

### Q: How is CNSI classified as an organization?
CNSI is classified as a research institute, which is an organization whose primary purpose is to conduct systematic investigation to generate new knowledge, distinct from entities that focus primarily on teaching or policy advocacy.

### Q: Where is the California NanoSystems Institute located?
While it operates in Santa Barbara County, its specific coordinates (34.068052, -118.442701) place its primary operational footprint in Los Angeles near the UCLA campus.

## Why It Matters
The California NanoSystems Institute serves as a critical engine for scientific discovery, operating at the intersection of multiple high-impact fields including biomedicine and nanotechnology. By functioning as a joint operation between UCLA and UC Santa Barbara, CNSI consolidates resources and talent from two major academic institutions to accelerate breakthroughs that might not occur within traditional, single-campus departmental structures.

As a dedicated research institute, it provides a focused environment for long-term, high-risk inquiry into areas like global warming and nanobiotechnology. Unlike organizations that divide their focus between teaching and research, CNSI exists specifically to generate new knowledge, positioning it as a vital piece of infrastructure for addressing complex societal challenges such as climate change and public health through advanced technology.

## Notable For
- **Joint Operation:** Distinguished by its integrated structure operating jointly at two distinct University of California campuses (UCLA and UC Santa Barbara).
- **Interdisciplinary Focus:** Combines expertise in nanobiotechnology, biomedicine, and environmental science (global warming).
- **Dedicated Research Mandate:** Functioning purely as a research institute rather than a teaching college or policy think tank.
- **Extensive Identifier Coverage:** Mapped across numerous academic and library systems including ROR, GRID, ISNI, VIAF, and the Library of Congress.

## Body

### Organizational Structure and Governance
The California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) functions as a unique hybrid entity within the academic landscape. It is an **integrated research center** operating jointly under the umbrella of two major parent organizations: the **University of California, Los Angeles** and the **University of California, Santa Barbara**. This joint structure allows the institute to leverage the intellectual and physical resources of both campuses. While its operations extend to **Santa Barbara County**, its geographic coordinates pinpoint its physical presence in **Los Angeles** (Latitude: 34.068052, Longitude: -118.442701).

### Research Classification and Mission
CNSI is formally classified as a **research institute**. In the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions, this distinguishes it from universities that balance teaching missions with research, and from think tanks that focus on policy. Instead, CNSI exists specifically to conduct research and generate new knowledge through systematic investigation.

Its primary fields of work are concentrated in advanced technology and science, specifically:
- **Nanobiotechnology**
- **Biomedicine**
- **Nanotechnology**
- **Global Warming**
- **General Research**

### History and Timeline
The institute was established in **2000**. Since its inception, it has been recognized as a significant entity in the scientific community, evidenced by its inclusion in the **WikiProject PCC Wikidata Pilot/UCLA** focus list.

### Identification and Databases
CNSI is tracked and identified by a wide array of global academic and library systems, reflecting its legitimacy and active role in the scientific community.
- **Academic Identifiers:** It holds the **Ringgold ID 542012**, **ISNI 0000000476666191**, and **VIAF ID 307446515**.
- **Research Org Registries:** The institute is listed in the Research Organization Registry (ROR) as **00q7fqf35** and the Global Research Identifier Database (GRID) as **grid.509979.b**.
- **Funding and Librarianship:** It is listed in the Open Funder Registry under ID **100018432** and holds the **Library of Congress Authority ID no2013107324**.
- **Corporate & Legacy IDs:** Additional identifiers include a **Microsoft Academic ID** (142207940), **Quora Topic** (California-NanoSystems-Institute), **Freebase ID** (/m/04ghq86), and a **Museum of Modern Art Artist ID** (33093).

### Media and Digital Presence
The institute maintains a primary web presence at **https://cnsi.ucla.edu/**. Its internal architecture and facilities are documented visually, with an image file titled "California_Nanosystems_Institute,_interior_walkways,_UCLA.jpg" available on Wikimedia Commons. The entity has a modest but specific footprint on Wikipedia, with entries in **English**, **Azerbaijani**, and **Wikimedia Commons**, categorizing it under "California NanoSystems Institute."

## References

1. GRID Release 2021-03-25
2. Quora
3. ROR Data Dump 8.0 (April 2021)
4. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)