1
cludes the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Edu-cation, the Pennsylvania College of Technology, other post-secondary and secon-dary schools, private indus-try and others.
The nation's first associate degrees in nanofabrication were awarded in Pennsyl-vania through this partner-ship. Fonash noted that the NACK Center is working to bring this education part-nership concept to the na-tion. "The NACK Center is
already working with several hundred com-munity colleges and other educational insti-tutions in more than 20 states and Puerto Rico to help develop programs and nanotechnology educa-tion.”
To read more about the goals of the NACK Center, and how they are satisfying the needs of both industry and academia, please see the last page of this bulletin. Penn State University has
received $5 million over four years from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for establishing and running a National Center for Nanotechnology Applica-tions and Career Knowledge (NACK). Penn State has been a national leader in nanotechnology education and workforce development since 1998.
In that year, the Pennsyl-vania Department of Com-munity and Economic De-velopment established the Nanofabrication Manufac-turing (NMT) Partner-ship, headquartered at Penn State. From 2001 to 2008, Penn State was also home to the NSF Regional Cen-ter for Nanofabrication Manufacturing Education. According to Dr. Stephen Fonash, the Kunkle Chair Professor of Engineering Science, who will direct the new NACK Center, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and
Eco-nomic Development was extremely farsighted when it created the (NMT) Part-nership in 1998 to meet Pennsylvania industry needs for skilled micro- and nanofabrication workers. The NMT Partnership
pre-pares students to work in any industry using micro- and nanotechnology. Graduates from the NMT training program now work in 75 Pennsylvania compa-nies.
In addition to Penn State, the NMT Partnership
in-Penn State University Awarded National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education National Center
Upcoming Events
♦ Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Capstone Semester, Summer 2009 begins May 18th at the NACK Center ♦ Educator’s Workshop from May 19th through the 21st at ♦ HI-TEC Impact Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona from July 19th to the 21st♦ Train-the-Trainer Workshop for the second two course subset, August 3rd through the 7th at
♦ Educator’s Workshop from November 17th through the 19th at the NACK Center. Please contact Lisa Daub at ldaub@engr.psu.edu or by phone at 814-865-9635 for more details.
Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge
(NACK) National Center
Take Matter Into Your Own Hands
NACK Center Director, Dr. Stephen Fonash, explaining a processing technique used at the nanoscale. Of Interest
Within this Issue
NMT Capstone Semester Update 2 Train-the-Trainer Workshop Complete 2
GETT Girls Impacted 2
Nano Days Event a Success at NACK 3 Student Spotlight: Nazanin M. Sharifi 3 Materials Available for Use 3 Partner Spotlight: University of Puerto Rico at Humacao 4 Educator’s Work-shop Held Recently
5 Lehighton Visit to NACK Center 5 May 27th, 2009 Volume 1, Issue 1
Reminders:
• The new website
for the NACK Center is now online, visit us at
www.nano4me.org
• NACK Center activities can be found below in the Upcoming Events section of this bulletin
• Contribute content to this bulletin by contacting Mr. Jamie G. Houseknecht at juh147@engr.psu.edu
The twenty-ninth offering of the Nanofabrication Manufac-turing Technology (NMT) Capstone Semester is now complete after 15 weeks. The attending students repre-sented institutions from across the state of Pennsylvania. These NMT program gradu-ates who were subject to this intensive training program, are either continuing their education or securing employ-ment within many STEM-related positions.
For their final projects,
stu-dents culminated their 15 weeks of hands-on training by outlining the processes for producing photovoltaic cells, hydrogen fuel cells, DNA lab-on-a-chip devices, as well as an artificial knee implant. Each of the four groups pre-sented this complex material effectively, based on their knowledge obtained from the Capstone Semester.
This summer, the thirtieth offering will begin on May 18th. A total of 31 students will begin their immersion into the 12 week summer session of
the Capstone Semester, earn-ing credits towards their de-grees, or taking a certificate-based option. Coming up in the fall semester, College Re-cruitment Coordinator, Jamie G. Houseknecht will again be visiting the 31 partner institu-tions across the state, to hold recruitment events. If you have questions about the Cap-stone Semester, or would like to schedule Jamie for an event, please contact him at 814-865-5285 or by email at juh147@engr.psu.edu for details.
was “Take Matter into your Own Hands” and she talked to the attendees about what it’s like to be a scientist and work in nanotechnology. The young women were able to ask questions and raced to get dressed in a cleanroom suit. Approximately 200 young women and their mothers/aunts/guardians were in attendance at this year's event.
High School Recruitment Coordinator and Research Associate, Ms. Amy Brunner was an invited Keynote Speaker for the Girls Explor-ing Tomorrow’s Technology (GETT) Program in Philadel-phia which was held at the University of the Sciences, in Philadelphia on March 28th, 2009.
The title of her presentation
Amy helps coordinate events such as this, as well as ones for high school students across the state. If you would like to discuss oppor-tunities for your students, please contact her by phone at 814-865-8977, or by email at the following address; abrunner@engr.psu.edu for more information to have your students realize the potential of nanotechnology!
Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Capstone
Semester Update
GETT Girls Impacted
First Train-the-Trainer Workshop Complete
tory exercises, as well as best practices for offering the first two course subset in the six course Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology (NMT) Capstone Semester. The material covered is util-ized in the Materials, Safety and Equipment Overview for Nanotechnology course, as well as the Basic Nanotech-nology Processes course. The next Train-the-Trainer workshop will cover thesecond two course subset in the NMT Capstone Semester, Materials in Nanotechnology course, as well as Patterning in Nanotechnology course. It will be held from August 3rd through the 7th of this year. If you would like to attend, please contact Robert Ehr-mann at 814-865-7558 or rehrmann@engr.psu.edu for more details.
16 individuals from educa-tional institutions at the as-sociate degree and baccalau-reate degree level from across the nation recently completed the first ever, Train-the-Trainer workshop offered through the NACK center, from April 6th through the 10th.
These individuals spent five days learning how to utilize the lecture notes and
labora-Attendees of the first Train the Trainer Work-shop learn the latest advanced AFM analysis techniques from Ms. Phi-Oanh Pham of the NACK Center.
Capstone Semester students learning on the Vacuum Trainer System, incorporating
both hands-on and practical knowledge in the Teaching
Cleanroom.
“At the outset
it was one of
the best
workshops
attended by
me in my long
career.”
- Workshop
attendee
The NACK Center partici-pated in the nationally spon-sored NISE NET Nano Days on Saturday April 4th, 2009. Over 200 attendees were present from all across Penn-sylvania and the audience ranged from high school students to parents, industry representatives, college fac-ulty and college level stu-dents.
Amy Brunner of the NACK Center helped coordinate the event, with the purpose of the day being to highlight the
Pennsylvania Nanofabrica-tion Manufacturing Partner-ship and degree pathways available across Pennsyl-vania. The target audience was high school juniors and seniors, but all ages were welcome and encouraged to attend.
Rod Komlenic, vice presi-dent of Ahlstrom Filtration LCC, presented a keynote lecture on their nanofiltra-tion efforts in Mount Holly Springs, PA. Details of the NMT partnership were
ex-plained, a buffet lunch was served, raffle prizes were given away, cleanroom tours were organized for all par-ticipants, and a variety of hands-on booths surrounded the perimeter of the room . Booths were set up by NMT college partners, and activi-ties were used to draw stu-dent discussions to learn about degree options. This event was well-received, gen-erating much positive feed-back from those in atten-dance.
six course sequence, are available for use and may be accessed at our website, www.nano4me.org.
Also, a set of modules which cover an introduction to nanotechnology, are avail-able to educators, also at www.nano4me.org. These provide a glimpse of a field that is changing the way we live currently.
The NACK Center has avail-able for use, educational and promotional material avail-able, in various formats. The successful “Take Matter Into Your Own Hands” re-cruitment DVD can be used to generate student interest and promote the Capstone Semester to potential stu-dents. The course notes for the NMT Capstone Semester,
If you would like more infor-mation, please contact Kris-ten Gephart at 814-867-3069 or by email at
kgephart@engr.psu.edu for more details.
Also, if you would like to share your materials on the NACK Center website, please contact Amy Brunner at 814-865-8977, or by email at abrunner@engr.psu.edu
Nano Days Event a Success at Penn State
University-University Park
Materials Available for Use
How did the Capstone benefit your education?
It benefited my education by adding to it. I attained a B.S. degree, focused on Biol-ogy, and the Capstone opened my eyes and mind to how I could apply my de-gree.
How has your experience helped you in your current position?
Attending the Capstone was one of the best decisions I have made for myself thus far. It has added to my de-gree and greatly helped me in my current position.
What advice would you give potential students?
Learn all that you can and give it your best. Also, get ready for a semester that you will never forget!
Student Spotlight — Nazanin M. Sharifi
Name: Nazanin M. Sharifi
Attended the NMT Capstone Semester: Spring 2008
Home Institution: Penn State University-York Campus, York, Pennsylvania
Current Employer:
Northrop Grumman
Current Position: Solid State Technician
Attendees practicing the togging experience prior to entering the Teaching Clean-room during the Nano Days event.
The NACK Center’s nanotechnology, six course sequence of notes and labo-ratory exercises are available for use by educators. Contact a NACK representative today
for more details. “All of what I learned in the Capstone Semester is applicable to my current position.”
Dr. Rogerio Furlan, a Profes-sor of within the Physics and Electronics Department, at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, sat down to answer a few questions dur-ing an interview with NACK Center College Recruitment Coordinator, Mr. Jamie G. Houseknecht recently. The University of Puerto Rico is a multi-campus com-prehensive public research university which serves stu-dents across Puerto
Rico. The University houses an NSF EPSCoR sponsored Institute for Functional Nanomaterials and is en-gaged with the NACK Center in addressing industry needs for a skilled nanotechnology workforce in Puerto Rico. This nanotechnology work-force effort is focused at the Humacao campus, within the Physics and Electronics De-partments.
The University of Puerto Rico at Humacao is an insti-tution in which 98% of the students are Hispanics and approximately 67% are women. There is currently an enrollment of 4,000 stu-dents and the majority (85%) graduated from the public school system. The Physics and Electronics Department has a combined enrollment of approximately 100 stu-dents, and offers an Associ-ate’s Degree in Electronics Technology and a Baccalau-reate Degree in Physics Ap-plied to Electronics. As partners with the NACK Center, the University of
Puerto Rico at Humacao and the Institute for Functional Nanomaterials are engaged in the following:
♦ Promoting the participa-tion of underrepre-sented groups in micro- and nanotechnology education.
♦ Implementing the PSU’s Capstone Semester in micro- and nano tech-nology.
♦ Replicating the PSU’s teaching clean room site model.
Education/training in micro- and nano technology will be offered to the following: ♦ Associate and
Baccalau-reate degree students (of natural sciences) that will become future workers within STEM related fields, preparing them to be inserted in the aerospace, manufac-turing, and life science sectors, among others. ♦ Industry and incumbent
workers with an Associ-ate or BaccalaureAssoci-ate degree in natural sci-ences, offering then the opportunity to upgrade their skills.
Dr. Furlan is planning for 20 students, enrolled in the Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Electronics majors, to enroll in the “Materials, Safety and Equipment Over-view for Nanotechnology,” a workshop to be presented for
students on August 19th of this year. He anticipates offering of each course of the Capstone Semester presented in a work-shop mode for students in the future. Also, strides have been made in working with the Puerto Rico Industrial Devel-opment Corporation
(PRIDCO), as well as with local industries, to further enrich nanotechnology education for the students of the institution. Several alumni from the Ap-plied Physics and Electronics Department have already been contacted to serve on their Advisory Board.
Drs. Furlan and Josee Vedrine also attended the first Train the Trainer Workshop, highlighted on page 2 of this bulletin. Thanks to the partnership be-tween the NACK Center and the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, the NACK Center has provided lecture notes, training on how to conduct the workshops , including the hands-on activities, and funds, in the form of an ATE/NSF subaward, for salaries, travel, acquisition of equipment that complements the University Puerto Rico at Humacao infrastructure.
The NACK Center welcomes the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao as a National Partner, working to establish an advanced education pro-gram in micro– and nanotech-nology, aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline of the central-eastern region of Puerto Rico and, also, making the region more attractive for high-tech companies.
Partner Spotlight — University of Puerto Rico at Humacao
From left to right of the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao; Dr. Rogerio Furlan, Dr. Josee Vedrine, and Dr. Luis G. Rosa Rod-riguez.
Student of the Physics and Electronics Department at the
University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, using their
Scan-ning Probe Microscope.
“As an educator I am extremely motivated with my participation in the NACK Center and this collaboration has had a very positive impact in my institution.” Dr. Rogerio Furlan of the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao
The 37th Educator’s Work-shop, was recently held from May 19th through the 21st at the NACK Center, at Penn State University-University Park. A total of 29 attendees completed the three day event, coming away with a better understanding of nanotechnology, how it is applied in everyday prod-ucts, and its impact on the future.
These individuals came from across the nation, coming from as far away as Arizona, Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas, and Virginia. Also, a number of Pennsylvania educators attended the event.
The three days were occu-pied with presentations deal-ing with techniques utilized at the nanoscale, related to deposition, patterning, etch-ing, and characterization. Also, four rotating, hands-on activities, allowed the atten-dees to gain experience with the Scanning Probe
Micro-scopes, Scanning Electron Microscopes, Physical Vapor Deposition systems, as well as Photolithography pattern-ing instrumentation. Commenting on these activi-ties, attendees stated in their evaluations that they were “very informative”, “more than satisfied with the hands -on nature and approach taken”, as well as “extremely interesting.”
The final day of the work-shop was dedicated to high-lighting recent advance-ments in everyday life that utilize nanotechnology. This included presentations tar-geted towards biosensors and lab on a chip devices, solar cell applications, as well as nanotechnology ap-plications utilized in the food science industry.
Attendees of the workshop stated in their evaluations that they are now able to… ♦ Better inform students
of techniques and appli-cations of
nanotechnol-ogy.
♦ Offer more effective lectures and laboratory activities.
♦ Discuss nanotechnology as a possible area of study for students. ♦ Organize
nanotechnol-ogy courses at their home institutions. ♦ Utilize the remote
access of characteriza-tion equipment of the NACK Center in the classroom.
♦ Develop units of study pertaining to nanotech-nology with the NACK Center materials. The next Educator’s Work-shop, will be held November 17th through the 19th at the NACK Center. If you would like to attend or have questions, please contact Lisa Daub by email at ldaub@engr.psu.edu or by phone at 814-865-9635 for
ogy.
The students who were in attendance learned about thin film coatings for solar cell applications, the use of nanomaterials in current consumer products, as well as career opportunities re-lated to nanotechnology. Read more about the visit at the following web link: A total of 25 high school
stu-dents enrolled in the Elec-tronics program at Carbon County Technical Institute visited the NACK Center recently, to tour the Teach-ing Cleanroom facility. Their instructor, Joe Farkas, has been bringing students to the facilities regulary, ex-posing them to the exciting possibilities of
nanotechnol-Hands-On Educator’s Workshop Held Recently
Recent Visit by Lehighton High School to the NACK Center
Recent workshop attendees discussing steps and parameters required during a hands-on, photolithogra-phy demonstration, per-formed with Mr. David Johnson of the NACK Center.
Students preparing a presentation to highlight the use of nanomaterials in a consumer product.
Photo Courtesy of Al Zagofsky
“I learned more in the last three days on cutting edge technology, than I have in the past couple of years of attending science teacher conventions.” -Educator’s Workshop attendee. http://www.tnonline.com/ node/434790
If you would like to schedule an educational tour to visit the NACK Center facilities, as well as have your students learn about nanotechnology, please contact Ms. Phi-Oanh Pham at 814-865-6962 or by email at
pham@engr.psu.edu for further information.
•
Support development of two-year degree programs in micro- and nanotechnology across the country.•
Emphasize hands-on laboratory education and attention to the full range of micro- and nanotechnology applications.•
Offer professional development programs in micro- and nanotechnology for secondary and postsecondary educators.•
Develop and deliver incumbent worker education programs in micro- and nanotechnol-ogy for industry.•
Create pathways from secondary schools through associate and baccalaureate degrees and beyond.•
Provide national coordination of micro- and nanofabrication workforce development programs and activities.The Goals of the NACK National Center Nanotechnology Applications and Career
Knowledge (NACK) Center The Pennsylvania State University 101 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 114 University Park, PA 16802
Robert K. Ehrmann Phone: 814-865-7558 Fax: 814-865-3018 rke2@psu.edu
The Nanotechnology Applica-tions and Career Knowledge (NACK) Center was established at the Penn State College of Engineering in September 2008 through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.
Please contact a NACK representative today to assist you in increasing the awareness of nanotechnology and education-related opportunities across the nation. Visit our website for an expanded contact list. Career Knowledge (NACK) National
Center
Take Matter Into Your Own Hands
Visit us online at:
http://www.nano4me.org
A recent workshop attendee, working with
the latest equipment addition to the Teaching Cleanroom, a Veeco Innova Scanning
Probe Microscope (SPM).
♦ Penn State College of Engineering
♦ Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization
♦ National Science Foundation
♦ MATEC, The Maricopa Community Colleges
♦ Nano-Link
♦ University of Puerto Rico
♦ National Council for Advanced Manufacturing
♦ Nanoscale Informal Science Education The NACK National Center Partners