Business, government and academic researchers involved in the development of nanotechnology are invited to attend the grand opening of the Nanomaterials Characterization Facility at the University of Colorado at Boulder on Nov. 16. The mission of the facility, located in the Discovery Learning Center at Colorado Avenue and Regent Drive, is to provide a centralized laboratory offering access to researchers throughout Colorado for imaging and analysis of new nanoscale structures and materials. The multimillion-dollar facility was made possible by a combination of federal and university funds supporting the advancement of nanotechnology in the state. The free event is open to the public, but participants must register. Registered participants will be able to tour the facility from 9:30 a.m. to noon and see demonstrations of state-of-the-art equipment, including a low vacuum scanning electron microscope, field-emission scanning electron microscope, confocal laser scanning microscope, atomic force microscope and nano indenter. Participants also may sign up for a training session to learn how to use the instruments. A poster exhibit of organizations involved in nanotechnology development will be on display throughout the event. For registration and information, visit: www.colorado.edu/nanoscience/grand-opening.htm.