The Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR) at VIT, Vellore was established by the founder director Late Prof. (Dr.) J. P. Raina in June 2008. Under his active leadership and innovative visionary, the Centre had grown as a Centre of Excellence for Nanomaterials, Nanoscience, Nano electronics and Nano photonics in the country. Later the Centre was led by Prof. (Dr.) Gargi Raina until 2015. The current director is Dr. A. Nirmala Grace.

The Centre faculty are actively engaged in teaching various courses in “M. Tech. Nanotechnology” and undertaking research projects for M. Tech. and Ph. D. Scholars. M. Tech. Nanotechnology programme was initiated in 2006 by VIT University, Vellore and the institute provided generous support in setting up state-of-art Nanomaterial characterization and synthesis facilities in the Nanotechnology Lab. Apart from continuous support from VIT University, the M. Tech. Nanotechnology programme also received financial support of around INR 7.57 crores from Nano Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India; New Delhi towards further enhancing infrastructure facilities of the Nanotechnology Laboratory and offering student fellowships and contingency grant for their research projects during the course.

The Centre has the following Strong Objectives

• Development of functional nanomaterials for optoelectronics, Energy devices, sensors, biomedical for environmental-related applications.
• Modelling and Simulation of Atomic and Nano-Scale devices for RF/Microwave/Photonic Applications
• Uplifting various nanofabrication and Nano-patterning techniques for creating functional nanostructures and devices.
• Educate nanotechnology through academic and research programmes towards industrial and environmental benefits.