Nanotechnology Research - Universities

Building upon the Institute's traditional strengths in materials science and engineering, Rensselaer researchers are part of a pre-eminent group of scientists around the world working to manipulate matter with atomic precision. With an NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center on campus, a new microelectronics clean room capable of fabrication on the nano-level, and a talented group of biotechnology researchers bringing nano-capabilities to their work, Rensselaer has taken a place at the heart of what has been framed by some as the next 'industrial revolution'.

The Center is primarily involved with fundamental nanotechnology research in materials, devices and systems. By combining computational design with experimentation the Center's researchers are discovering novel pathways to assemble functional multiscale nanostructures with junctions and interfaces between structurally, dimensionally, and compositionally different nanoscale building blocks to create useful hierarchical material systems.

The group's research focuses on fundamental as well as applied aspects of quantum theory. Since quantum effects are usually pronounced when thermal disturbances are low, our research has a significant overlap with low temperature physics. Specifically, they are interested in laser-cooled atoms and molecules, cryogenically or radiatively cooled nanomechanics, and superconductors.

As part of RIT's Microsystems Engineering Ph.D. Program, the 'epitaxially-integrated nanoscale systems' (EINS) lab focuses on applied physics and engineering at the nanometer scale. At the center of the group's research is the atomic-level assembly or epitaxy of III-V compound semiconductors by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD).

The NanoPower Research Labs at RIT are dedicated to the development of new materials and devices for power generation and storage for microelectronic components and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

The multidisciplinary program builds on the fundamentals of traditional engineering and science, combined with curriculum and research activities addressing the numerous technical challenges of micro- and nano-systems. These include the manipulation of electrical, photonic, optical, mechanical, chemical, and biological functionality to process, sense, and interface with the world at a nanometer scale. The goal is to provide the foundation to explore future technology through research in nano-engineering, design methods, and technologies for micro- and nano-scaled systems.

The mission of the Nanoscale Materials Technology program is to provide students a foundation in materials science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and electronics. With strong supporting courses in Computer Aided Drafting, Vacuum Science and Technology, and Thin Film Deposition Techniques, students will be prepared for employment as highly qualified technicians in the emerging and highly technical semiconductor and superconductor manufacturing and research and development field.

The Nanoscale Engineering program offers an academically rigorous preparation for students intending to pursue scientific, technical, or professional careers in nanotechnology-enabled fields or graduate studies in nanoscale engineering or nanoscale science, as well as other physical sciences or interdisciplinary sciences such as materials science, physics, biophysics, chemistry or biochemistry.

The bachelor's degree in nanoscale science offers an academically rigorous preparation for students intending to pursue scientific, technical, or professional careers in nanotechnology-enabled fields or graduate studies in nanoscale engineering or nanoscale science, as well as other physical sciences or interdisciplinary sciences such as materials science, physics, biophysics, chemistry or biochemistry.

The Nanoscale Engineering program offers an academically rigorous preparation for students intending to pursue scientific, technical, or professional careers in nanotechnology-enabled fields or graduate studies in nanoscale engineering or nanoscale science, as well as other physical sciences or interdisciplinary sciences such as materials science, physics, biophysics, chemistry or biochemistry.