NSEC: The Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN)

名为新英格兰纳米制造工具中心的纳米科学与工程中心是东北大学、马萨诸塞大学洛厄尔分校、新罕布什尔大学和密歇根州立大学之间的合作伙伴关系。NSEC联合了来自9个部门的34名调查人员。NSEC可能会影响纳米制造中三个关键和基本技术问题的解决方案：三维异构系统的装配控制，包括三维和多功能的对准、配准和互连；以高速率/大批量的方式加工纳米级结构，同时不损害有益的纳米级性能；测试纳米组件的长期可靠性；或防止缺陷和污染。新的工具和工艺将使纳米元件（如碳纳米管、纳米棒和蛋白质）和聚合物纳米结构的高速率/大批量自下而上、精确、平行组装成为可能。该中心将有助于对组装、分离和转移纳米元素所需的界面行为和力的基本理解，这是高速率和大面积引导自组装所必需的。预计该中心将通过弥合科学研究与电子、医疗、汽车等成熟和新兴产业的商业产品创造之间的差距，产生更广泛的影响。与工业的长期联系也将促进技术转让。该中心建立在工业界、大学和K-12教师和学生之间已经存在的伙伴关系网络的基础上，为当前和新兴的劳动力提供急需的纳米制造教育，包括其环境、经济和社会影响。来自两个州的一所私立大学和两所公立大学的合作，都在一小时的通勤时间内，将形成一个新的中心模式，为学生、教师和外媒伙伴提供广泛的互动和教育。NENCET和科学博物馆（波士顿）之间拟议的合作伙伴关系将促进公众对纳米制造的接受和发展所需要的理解。该中心将研究纳米技术的社会影响，包括在工艺开发过程中对纳米制造的影响进行环境评估。此外，该中心将根据环境和公共卫生调查结果以及与发展技术有关的伦理和管理政策问题，评估经济可行性。

The Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center entitled New England Nanomanufacturing Center for Enabling Tools is a partnership between Northeastern University, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the University of New Hampshire, and Michigan State University. The NSEC unites 34 investigators from 9 departments. The NSEC is likely to impact solutions to three critical and fundamental technical problems in nanomanufacturing:Control of the assembly of 3D heterogeneous systems, including the alignment, registration, and interconnection at three dimensions and with multiple functionalities,Processing of nanoscale structures in a high-rate/high-volume manner, without compromising the beneficial nanoscale properties,Testing the long-term reliability of nano components, and detect, remove, or prevent defects and contamination.Novel tools and processes will enable high-rate/high-volume bottom-up, precise, parallel assembly of nanoelements (such as carbon nanotubes, nanorods, and proteins) and polymer nanostructures. This Center will contribute a fundamental understanding of the interfacial behavior and forces required to assemble, detach, and transfer nanoelements, required for guided self-assembly at high rates and over large areas.The Center is expected to have broader impacts by bridging the gap between scientific research and the creation of commercial products by established and emerging industries, such as electronic, medical, and automotive. Long-standing ties with industry will also facilitate technology transfer. The Center builds on an already existing network of partnerships among industry, universities, and K-12 teachers and students to deliver the much-needed education in nanomanufacturing, including its environmental, economic, and societal implications, to the current and emerging workforce. The collaboration of a private and two public universities from two states, all within a one hour commute, will lead to a new center model, with extensive interaction and education for students, faculty, and outreach partners. The proposed partnership between NENCET and the Museum of Science (Boston) will foster in the general public the understanding that is required for the acceptance and growth of nanomanufacturing. The Center will study the societal implications of nanotechnology, including conducting environmental assessments of the impact of nanomanufacturing during process development. In addition, the Center will evaluate the economic viability in light of environmental and public health findings, and the ethical and regulatory policy issues related to developmental technology.