Nanofabrication Lab opens on SciTech Campus

Martha Bushong — Fri, 17 May 2024 17:15:09 +0000

Nanofabrication Lab opens on SciTech Campus Martha Bushong Fri, 05/17/2024 - 13:15

Read More About the Ribbon Cutting

��AV officials, faculty, regional economic leaders, government, and business partners gathered at SciTech Campus on May 3, 2024, to cut the ribbon on the new $3.75 million Nanofabrication Facility (NFF).

Vice President for Research Innovation and Economic Impact Andre Marshall welcomed guests. President Gregory Washington and other special guests followed. After the ribbon cutting, attendees enjoyed a first-hand look at the new state-of-the-art space.

The NFF is the only cleanroom facility and resource for partners in Northern Virginia. It offers hands-on nanofabrication workforce training in research applications that will accelerate the growth of high-tech companies.

Tannia Telento, regional director for U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s office offered remarks from the senator. In the remarks, Senator Warner said, “The Nanofabrication Facility will play an important role in education and research, which is integral to securing the supply chain, bringing greater transparency to the microelectronics ecosystem, training tomorrow's leaders, and ensuring our long-term national security. I am excited to see the advancements that will come from the establishment of this facility right here in Virginia. The (NFF) will serve as a core laboratory for innovative research and development on the micro- and nano-scale.

Faculty from the College of Engineering and Computing and the College of Science have already taught classes in the facility, this summer the facility will host camps, and in the fall workforce training will begin.

��AV President Gregory Washington and Shawn Wagoner, the Nanofabrication Faciilty's lab manager cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the facility. Photo by Creative Services.

Tannia Telento, regional director for U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s office, shakes hands with President Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Vice President Andre Marshall (on right) and Danny Vargas of GO Virginia stand outside the clean room. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Lab Manager Shawn Wagoner explains the equipment to a group of attendees during the facility tour. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Topics

Nanofabrication Facility

Research

Science and Technology Campus

workforce

Tech Talent Investment Program

TTIP

New graduate certificate focuses on microfabrication

Colleen Rich — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:51:33 +0000

New graduate certificate focuses on microfabrication Colleen Rich Tue, 03/12/2024 - 14:51

In response to the evolving demands of the engineering industry, ��AV's College of Engineering and Computing is launching four new graduate certificate programs, offering specialized training in burgeoning areas in engineering and computer science.

Mason researcher Pei Dong in the lab. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

One of the new programs is the Microfabrication Graduate Certificate program, designed to address the growing demand for multidisciplinary training in the manufacturing sector.

Led by Mason mechanical engineering professor Pei Dong, this program will focus on practical training opportunities and is facilitated by Mason's new cleanroom facility, the Nanofabrication Facility on Mason’s Science and Technology Campus.

“Mason has demonstrated extensive expertise in this field for an extended period,” said Dong, whose research interests include the design and synthesis of advanced materials, as well as their applications in energy, water, and biomedical areas. “The new research facility now offers hands-on training opportunities for students, marking an exciting development. We believe the timing is perfect to launch the program.”

The space is the only cleanroom facility and resource for partners in Northern Virginia and offers interactive nanofabrication workforce training in groundbreaking research and emerging research applications that will accelerate growth of high-tech companies.

While the certificate program is designed to benefit Mason graduate students in engineering and science, Dong noted, those with a bachelor’s in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) field from outside of the university can also enroll.

The program began in spring 2023, and it comprises four courses: Introduction to Nano-Materials, Nano Bio Sensors, Semiconductor Device Fundamentals, and Solid State Physics and Applications.

“I am thrilled about the four courses currently available to students,” said Dong. “The tremendous support from the Mechanical Engineering Department, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, the Physics and Astronomy Department, and the cleanroom team, ensures that these courses offer comprehensive training from both engineering and science perspectives.”