The nano.org project is currently in a testing phase called closed beta. During this phase, open user registration is disabled - instead new users are directly invited to participate by existing users, or by the site Operators. Of course, non-registered users can still read / download all material on the site, since nano.org is designed "from the ground up" to be an open resource. Once the Operators deem that the site is sufficiently stable, public registration will be enabled.

How to obtain an invitation to participate.
During the closed beta test, all users will automatically be given the scholar rank (rather than being initially registered as members and requesting promotion, as will occur in the final version of nano.org). Therefore, all the people invited to participate will be established nanoscience researchers. Anyone who matches the criteria for the scholar rank, as described here, and who wishes to participate in the closed beta, can solicit an invitation by emailing one of the site Operators. Alternatively, any existing beta tester can invite up to 5 further testers - this is accomplished by logging in and using the "send an invite" link in the "My Account" section.

Content is permanent
Content created by nano.org users during the beta phase (including all discussions, uploaded papers, etc.) will persist into the final version of the site. Codes attributed to uploaded manuscripts will also persist, so that they can immediately be used as citations. Thus, beta testers can feel justified in investing significant time into contributing to the site, just as they would if the site had reached its final, public version.

No arranged reviews
In the initial period of the beta test, it will not be possible for authors to request that nano.org arrange a peer review of their uploaded manuscripts. However, once the review process does become available, authors will have the option to request review of their previously uploaded papers.