Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies

The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) is an MIT research institute where faculty members, postdoctoral associates, and students collaborate with United States Army and industry investigators on innovative mission-oriented fundamental research and rapid technological advancement in support of the nation’s interests. Established in 2002, the ISN was founded as an Army-sponsored DOD University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC).

The ISN’s mission is to significantly enhance the protection, survivability, and mission capabilities of American warfighters and their supporting platforms and systems for the Army, other U.S. military services, and relevant government departments and agencies. This is accomplished through fundamental research grounded in nanotechnology, coupled with the rapid translation of promising research outcomes into practical applications.

A key objective of the ISN is to enable advanced protection and survivability capabilities through the development of multifunctional, lightweight clothing and equipment that enhance comfort and reduce energy consumption. To achieve this, the ISN conducts research in various areas, including improving blast and ballistic protection, detecting and neutralizing chemical and biological agents, developing portable electrical power sources, physiological monitoring systems, and medical care capabilities for mission-critical environments, and providing reliable communication and situational awareness tools. The ISN’s current Strategic Research Areas and Core Research Projects are available for exploration on the ISN website.

Researchers at the roughly 40,000-square-foot ISN facility located in Technology Square have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation. The majority of research conducted at the ISN is carried out by graduate students as part of their master’s and doctoral theses within MIT academic departments. Postdoctoral researchers and occasionally undergraduate students participating in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) also contribute to research efforts. Each year, over 20 MIT faculty members from approximately a dozen departments actively participate in ISN research.

Visiting researchers from the military and industry collaborate with the ISN, contributing valuable knowledge and practical perspectives that significantly enhance the learning environment. Military partners engage in collaborative research with the ISN on both basic and applied topics, provide guidance on the relevance of ISN research to military operations, and participate in technology transfer initiatives. Industry partners offer expertise in product development, systems integration, and affordable manufacturing processes tailored to meet customer requirements, facilitating the commercialization of laboratory-scale ISN innovations.

Students interested in conducting thesis or UROP research at the ISN are encouraged to contact ISN-affiliated faculty members or professional research staff directly to express their interest. For further information, please contact ISN Headquarters via email.