Nanotechnology Research Instrumentation in Support of NNIN (2007)

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MRI Proposal: 0722812The objective of this proposal is to advance nanotechnology research by providing state-of-the-art resources to the national user community in an open environment and technically supported by knowledgeable staff for hands-on use. This award provides for four new nanotechnology capabilities to be located at four of the NNIN facilities and available to all users across the nation: 1) for advanced materials deposition and novel device fabrication, a Carbon Nanotube Growth System (Cornell), 2) for processing of germanium semiconductors, an Automated Chemical Processor (Stanford), 3) for materials and biological systems characterization, a Mass Spectrometer (GaTech), 4) for processing of novel magnetic, optical and electronic devices, a multi-target reactive sputtering system (UCSB). Intellectual Merit: These instruments will enable scientific research across nanotechnology by providing reproducible materials techniques for carbon nanotube, germanium and magnetic/optical/electronic structures; and for characterization of biological systems. NNIN's technical staff will extend the capabilities of these instruments by interacting with users and incorporating these new capabilities into user research projects. This interaction will foster strong inter-disciplinary and innovative uses across the breadth of nanotechnology.Broader Impact: Through NNIN's large research user population, this technology will have wide geographic reach involving researchers from academia, small and large companies and federal research laboratories. NNIN's educational efforts?specific undergraduate research projects using these instruments, the training of over 1300 new students every year, freely accessible web-based resources, and nanotechnology-focused workshops?will focus on outreach to the student and scientific community at large.