NSF National Nanofabrication Users Network (NNUN)

NSF's National Nanofabrication Users Network (NNUN) is an integrated network of user facilities at Cornell University, Howard University, Pennsylvania State University, Stanford University, and the University of California at Santa Barbara that provides researchers with expertise to fabricate nanometer-scale structures, devices, and circuits, aiding diverse disciplines from engineering to materials to biology. NUNN is supported by the NSF Directorates of Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The projects span materials science, physics, chemistry, nanoelectronics, biology, biomedicine, and many other interdisciplinary areas. One of the fast-growing applications of micro- and nanostructures is in the area of biology. It is expected that the interaction and collaboration of these disciplines will have a significant impact in the area of nanotechnology. NNUN was started as a network in April 1994. The network's budget at this time is $3.95 million/year.

• Supported by the Directorates of Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

• Projects span materials science, physics, chemistry, nanoelectronics, biology, biomedical, and other interdisciplinary areas.

• One of the fast growing applications of micro and nanostructures is in the area of biology: A workshop was held in the Fall of '96 to identify emerging research opportunities in this growing area.

• Provides opportunities for researchers to turn new ideas in nanoscale science and technology into experimental reality.

• Network is committed to education, training, and technical outreach.

• Serves a broad and diverse engineering and scientific community in universities, industry, and government laboratories.

• "Microchannels for Endothelial Cell Culture and Blood Flow Studies," Morris, Univ. Of Rochester

• "Fabrication of High Sensitivity Cantilever Magnetometers," Naughton, Tau Sensors

• "Torsional Oscillator Magnetometer Studies of Nanoscale Magnetic Particles," Craighead, Cornell

• "SiN Mirror Scanners for a Miniature Microscope," Kino, Stanford

• "Silicon Nanowires," Boker, U.C. Berkeley

• "Scanning Electron Micrography of Carbon Nanotubes Deposited in Jet Fuel Combustion Processes," Schobert, Penn. State; Atria, Wright Patterson AFB