Nanomanufacturing Center Receives $12.25 Million from NSF
By Beth Potier, Media Relations
September 2, 2009
The National Science Foundation announced a $12.25 million renewal grant (five
years) for the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing – a
joint partnership among UNH, Northeastern University and the University of
Massachusetts Lowell.
The Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN) aims to address one of the
greatest challenges in nanotechnology: the ability to commercially produce
nanoscale devices with components that are measured in nanometers (one nanometer
equals one-billionth of a meter-- the diameter of a human hair is approximately
50,000 to 80,000 nanometers). Nanomanufacturing directs the assembly of nanoscale
building blocks like nanotubes, nanowires, or proteins to produce very small
devices with superior properties and features for applications in electronics,
alternative energies, new materials and medical fields.
For example, the Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing is developing miniature
nano-biosensors capable of detecting cancer at a very early stage, years ahead
of current detection techniques. CHN also is working on ultra-low power flexible
electronics that are hundreds of times faster and smaller and require less
power than current solutions; high capacity miniature or large batteries that
could be fully charged in minutes; plastics as strong as steel or as conductive
as copper; and flexible, high-efficiency, lightweight solar cells.
The full potential of nanotechnology products is projected to reach a $1 trillion
market by 2015 and can only be realized with the aid of nanomanufacturing research.
CHN is working with a number of industrial partners on developing the tools
and processes to accelerate the creation of highly anticipated commercial products.
These tools and processes also will support development of next generation
applications that have yet to be imagined. CHN uses high-rate/high-volume guided
self-assembly of nanoelements as the platform for its manufacturing processes.
CHN also concurrently investigates the environmental, economic, regulatory,
social, and ethical impacts of nanomanufacturing. The National Science Foundation
grant will extend CHN funding for an additional five years.
“One key to CHN’s success is its multidisciplinary approach toward
solving nanoscale science and engineering problems,” says CHN associate
director Glen Miller, professor of chemistry and director of the materials
science program at UNH. “At the University of New Hampshire, faculty
and students from the materials science program as well as the departments
of chemistry, physics, and mechanical engineering are working to create new
nano-building blocks.” UNH faculty and students also are working to understand
and control the self-assembly of nano-building blocks so that low-cost, high-rate
nanomanufacturing can be achieved. They also are developing new nanopatterning
techniques that are capable of creating nanoscale features as small as 15 nanometers
on a variety of substrates.
In addition to Miller, CHN leadership at Northeastern University is provided
by director Ahmed Busnaina (William Lincoln Smith Professor of Mechanical Engineering),
associate director Jackie Isaacs (professor of mechanical engineering) and
associate director Nick McGruer (professor of electrical and computer engineering).
CHN leadership at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is provided by deputy
director Joey Mead (professor of plastics engineering) and associate director
Carol Barry (professor of plastics engineering).
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