Learning about nanotechnology

Team Duct Tape was invited to tour the University of South Florida’s Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Research Center (NNRC) with the FWCS of the ASME. It was a great tour — on a very cold night in Tampa (we had freezing temps last night and may again, tonight!).

The NNRC “is a university-wide user fabrication and metrology center providing state-of-the-art equipment, professional support personnel and infrastructure to enable multidisciplinary research in

nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing methods related to fundamental materials science, sensors, actuators, electronics, bio-systems, medical products, optics and integrated nanoscale systems. The Nanotech I facility supports research projects of faculty, graduates students, undergraduates, and industrial researchers.”

Examining the Focused Ion Beam uScope

In short, there was a lot to see there! Among the many fascinating things team members saw at the facility were:

• FIB Focused Ion Beam Microscope
• FEI Transmission Electron Microscope

• Scanning Electron Microscope
• Alcatel Deep Reactive Ion Etcher
• DI Atomic Force Microscope
• Class 1000 Cleanroom and Test Lab
• Panalytical X-Ray Diffractometer
• Vacuum Evaporators
• Microautomation Dicing Saw
• Probe Stations and Wire Bonders

Examining the lab equipment

All examining, dissecting, slicing, dicing, creating and bonding very, very, very tiny things. We were able to learn about the myriad applications of nanotechnology, ranging from medicine to household items, and to see mechanical engineering applied at a new level.

Ahh! Very thin shiny gold