From its inception the Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology was designed to be a multi-user facility where the combined research and educational programs at the University of Pennsylvania, partner institutions and local industry within the Mid-Atlantic region could be brought together to establish a regional hub for nanotechnology. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, one of the most academically dense areas in the country that also includes a rich history of entrepreneurial technological ventures, the Singh Center is perfectly positioned to support nanotechnology innovation from a variety of different origins and can be easily accessed from anywhere in the world.

The Singh Center is contained in a 78,000 square foot building centered around four major research facilities and features state-of-the-art equipment for nanoscale characterization, measurement, and fabrication, all contained under one roof and run by a fully dedicated staff. The building houses a large suite of high-performance equipment for nanotechnology research, including electron and scanning probe microscopy, cleanroom tools, electron beam lithography, and several materials synthesis and characterization instruments. In addition, as the building was designed from the ground up to house cutting edge nanotechnology research, specific attention was paid to temperature stability and isolation from vibrational, acoustic, and electromagnetic noise

As the Mid-Atlantic NNCI Hub, along with our partner the Community College of Philadelphia, we have striven to create a “User Focused” makers space that will provide a catalytic force for nanotechnology innovation and outreach. As part of this effort, NNCI funds have been specifically designated for External Research Grants and the creation of a REU Program that will include 6 students per year. Several new staffing positions have also been created, including a User Program Manager who will act a single point of contact for all user needs and an Outreach Program Manager who will work to promote nanotechnology understanding at all levels from K-12 through adult.

Technician Workforce Training Program has been established though our partnership with the Community College of Philadelphia, in an effort to make this technology more accessible and encourage innovation growth throughout all sectors of society. This new program, led by Randy Libros, will provide for the new demands of nanotechnology expertise throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, while providing rewarding employment opportunities in areas such as research and high-tech manufacturing.