The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is celebrating 10 years of conducting world-class research and development in the field of nanotechnology. The CSIR’s National Centre for Nanostructured Materials (NCNSM) was launched in 2007 as part of the implementation of government’s National Nanotechnology Strategy. Nanotechnology research is a key pillar of the CSIR’s activities that is focussed on finding solutions that address the broader societal challenges of South Africa.