This partnership of centers is more than an aggregate of shared facilities; it is a network of 24 professionals (technicians, engineers, and administrative staff) dedicated to their user base: research associates, professors, start-ups, and small and large company users. Our vision is to enable and foster breakthrough nano-innovation in the areas of electronics, healthcare and energy ­ all of which have significant presence in Texas; while establishing educational activities in nanotechnology directed at engaging underrepresented minorities (URM) and women.

The Texas Nanofabrication Facility is built around the shared NNIN MRC facilities and experienced staff. The facilities at MRC includes 12,000 ft2 of class 100 and class 1000 cleanroom space for device processing and 15,000 ft2 of other labs housing ~70 shared nanofabrication and characterization tools. Capabilities in roll-to-roll manufacturing as well as wafer-scale nanoimprint and crystalline wafer exfoliation will be provided through NASCENT NERC staff for external users at a moderate fee. CNM brings a complementary suite of top down and bottom up nanofabrication tools. TMI greatly expands the microscopy (e.g., TEM, STEM, etc.) and surface characterization (e.g., TOF-SIMS, XPS, AES, Raman, etc.) capabilities.

The Social and Ethical Implications (SEI) effort led by Lee Ann Kahlor, (UT Moody College of Communication) will provide to new facilities users an informational session highlighting the benefits and challenges of considering SEI as an integral part of a responsible research project. The team will enhance the study of SEI of nanotechnology.