ALBUQUERQUE, NM-The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has begun construction on a new research facility devoted to nanotechnology.

A joint venture between the Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology (CINT) will span 96,000 square feet. The facility will focus on basic research and will be accessible to university and industry researchers worldwide.

Some 35 projects have already begun under the center's umbrella. However, these projects are currently dispersed throughout Sandia and Los Alamos. These projects pair outside researchers with other researchers and machines already in place at the two giant labs-a procedure that will be followed more efficiently once the CINT is completed.