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Minnesota Nanotechnology Cluster ( MINTEC )
University of Minnesota
Site Expertise: Nanomaterials and Characterization
The node at the University of Minnesota  combines the efforts of three organizations. The Nanofabrication Center (NFC: www.nfc.umn.edu)
hosts a full suite of processing tools for building micro and nano
devices including a new Raith 150 direct write e-beam system along with
optical lithography, RIE, ICP, ion milling, RTP, CVD, PECVD, and
PVD. With an annual budget of approximately 1.6 M$, it runs a
class 10 clean room with 14 permanent staff. The Characterization Facility (CharFac: www.charfac.umn.edu)
is also a common use lab and has a permanent staff of seven.
CharFac has a wide suite of electron beam, ion beam, x-ray, optical,
and proximal probe tools along with the staff to train users, develop
new techniques, and operate these systems. A new 300 keV high
resolution TEM was added in 2004. Of particular interest is the
Labs capabilities in soft materials including cryogenic and
environmental electron microscopy. The third partner in this node
(PTL: www.me.umn.edu/labs/ptl) is the Particle Technology Lab.
PTL is one of the leading centers for nanoparticle research in the
country. The Lab occupies over 15,000 square feet of common-use
lab space and has a wide variety of instrumentation. Retaining
its strength in environmental nanoparticle work, the Lab has more
recently moved into nanoparticle applications including 3D integrated
circuits, nano energetics, super hard nanoparticle materials, and
quantum dots. In addition to these physical labs the node also
leverages existing nano research at Minnesota including a MRSEC, four
NIRTs, the Nanoparticle IGERT, and several REUs.
The Minnesota
node brings two areas of technical excellence to the network:
nanoparticle-based research and remote processing and
characterization. Minnesotas Particle Technology Lab
continues to enjoy a unique position as a developer of nanoparticle
instrumentation and is a leading lab for creating NIST nanoparticle
standards. Examples of currently available commercially
nanoparticle equipment include the CNC, for detecting nanoparticles in
the atmosphere, nano-DMA for size selecting nanoparticles, the
aerodynamic lens for concentrating nanoparticles, and the particle beam
mass spectrometer for detecting nanoparticles in low pressure
environments. These tools are available for use at
Minnesota. 
Many of them are portable enough that researchers could check them out
of PTL for field work for brief periods. New technologies that
have not yet been commercialized, but are ready for external users
include single particle mass spectrometry and electrostatic
localization on a substrate. Some of the newest applications
involve using nanoparticles in electronic, optical, or magnetic
systems. For this type of work additional fabrication and
characterization may be required. The close collaboration between
the three Labs at the Minnesota node makes this type of work straight
forward. The second area of specialization at Minnesota is remote
access. Currently these nodes allow external users access to
equipment and will also run single process steps remotely. Under
NNIN, the Minnesota node will perform sophisticated fabrication and/or
characterization sequences under the direction of a remote user.
Some researchers have processing capability, but inadequate
characterization, or characterization but no fabrication. For
many more, the intellectual content of the research lies not in the
fabrication, but in the design, unique characterization, or use of a
nanostructure. Minnesota will support these users.
For further Information contact;
Greg Cibuzar
User Contact
(612)-624-8005
cibuzar@ece.umn.edu
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