NNIN Education Site
Nanotechnology Educational Actvities at U. MinnesotaEducational activities at the University of Minnesota node are focused in four primary areas:
• The first is our participation in the NNIN Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Each summer five NNIN REU students are active in our program. Summer 2009 NNIN REU students are involved in projects on nanotoxicity study, photovoltaic devices, fabrication of spin valves, biomedical lithography, and DNA electrophoresis.
• The second major education activity that NNIN helps to support is outreach to Associate Degree programs. Working in collaboration with the Dakota County Technical College, the University has developed a one-semester capstone experience that covers not only thin films and micro/nanofabrication, but also materials characterization, nanoparticle formation, filtration and detection, and an introduction to biotechnology. All of this material is hands-on, with weekly lab experiences. The fourth cohort of students is currently working through their capstone experience in Spring 2009. In addition, the Minnesota NNIN node participates in summer student nano camps in support of this program each summer. To date, about 250 high school students have attended these camps.
• The third area is short courses and master classes. One of our most popular and continuing courses is BioMEMS and Microfluidics for the Life Sciences. This class will be offered for the fourth time this summer, July 23 – 24, 2009.
• And lastly, the node hosts an annual Nano Conference. Our 2008 Conference featured invited speakers from all over the country as well as our own researchers and experts who touched on topics including nano sensors, energy, optics, microfluidics, materials and medicine. The Conference attracted over 200 people, including those from 20 different departments at the University of Minnesota, faculty and students from 20 other educational institutions and industry attendees from 25 different companies.
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