Stay informed. Find resources across the country.
- Access NACK Resources
- Attend Workshops
- Access Tools
- Recruit Students
- Attend Webinars
The NACK commitment
The NACK Center is committed to supporting development of two-year degree programs in micro- and nanotechnology across the country by offering academic
and educational resources.
Post-Secondary Resources
Introductory Level Modules: A series of thought-provoking nanotechnology PowerPoint presentations filled with in-depth material surveying where nanotechnology came from, why it is so unique, how it is practiced, and what it can do.
Undergraduate Level Course Notes: Packaged as six courses, each containing multiple modules. Each module can be rearranged to create new courses. Suitable for two-year degree programs, for certificate programs, and for freshman-sophomore use in four-year degree programs.
Undergraduate Level Laboratories: These are a set of six lab packages corresponding to the set of six course notes. Labs can be rearranged to accommodate new course arrangements. Suitable for two-year degree programs, for certificate programs, and for freshman-sophomore use in four-year degree programs.
Remote Access: A collection of characterization equipment that may be remotely controlled through the Internet.
K-12 Resources
Introductory Level Activities: Interactive nano-enabled products used to expand the imaginations of K-12 students with current applications benefiting from nanotechnology.
Multimedia: A collection of interactive multimedia in nanotechnology. These resources are suitable for a variety of levels and subject areas..
High School Level Nanotech Academy Activities: A collection of informal activities created for a 1-3 day nanotechnology camp available to those interested in creating similar events or to supplement the classroom experience.
High School Level Experiments: A collection of experiments and activities that introduce nanotechnology concepts and applications to many levels; includes, but is not limited to, nanoparticle synthesis for bacterial inhibition, micro- and nanofluidic device fabrication with common materials, micro- and nanoencapsulation, and nanowire sensor applications.
Professional Development
Workshops: NACK offers a series of workshops for educators and administrators who are interested in exploring the world of nanotechnology and the impact it is having on their lives and will have on the careers of their students. These workshops range from learning introductory nanotechnology basics to learning how to most effectively utilize NACK nanotechnology resources within their institutions.
Remote Access to Tools: NACK brings cutting-edge technology and instrumentation into your classroom, laboratory, and industry site by offering remote access to nanotechnology characterization instruments.
Student Recruitment: NACK offers assistance in the development and refinement of strategies to promote education and career opportunities in nanotechnology.
Webinars: NACK offers periodic live webinars to engage and educate those of you that are interested in learning more about nanotechnology related topics. NACK webinars are archived for new or refresher nanotechnology educator professional development.
Train the Trainer Workshop Series
These workshops are intended for post-secondary faculty and administrators who are interested in starting or enhancing nanotechnology programs. The workshops go over NACK’s set of six Undergraduate Level Nanotechnology Courses including classroom presentations and corresponding lab activities. The objective of these workshops is to train faculty in effectively delivering these nanotechnology courses. The six course suite includes:
ESC 211 Materials, Safety, and Equipment Overview
ESC 212 Basic Nanotechnology Processes
ESC 213 Materials in Nanotechnology
ESC 214 Patterning for Nanotechnology
ESC 215 Materials Modification for Nanotechnology Applications
ESC 216 Characterization, Testing of Nanotechnology Structures and Materials
Join us for one or all of these Train the Trainer Workshops for faculty and administrators who offer, or intend to offer, courses based on the NACK nanotechnology suite. Expenses for lodging and travel will be reimbursed for accepted applicants.
- October 4-7: This workshop will focus on:
ESC 215: Materials Modification for Nanotechnology Applications
ESC 216: Characterization, Testing of Nanotechnology Structures and Materials
Application due: September 20th. Applicants will be notified by September 27th. - October 11-14: This workshop will focus on:
ESC 211: Materials, Safety and Equipment Overview
ESC 212: Basic Nanotechnology Processes
Application due: September 20th. Applicants will be notified by September 27th.
Click here for Registration Form.
Hands-on Nanofabrication Workshop for Educators
Presented by: Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization
Date: November 16 - 18, 2010
Description: This workshop will be an exploration of the world of nanotechnology. Participants will learn about the growing applications of nanotechnology in many industries including the biotechnology, MEMS, optoelectronics, chemical, and nanoelectronics industries. The basics of nanofabrication processes and tools will be covered and emphasized through processing labs held in the class 10 cleanrooms of the Penn State Nanofabrication Facility and the CNEU Teaching Cleanroom. This three-day workshop is broken down into daily morning lectures by nationally recognized Penn State researchers and engineering staff and into afternoon lab sessions in nanofabrication. The agenda is attached.
- Target Audience: Secondary Science and Technology Teachers, Vocational-Technical Teachers, Guidance Counselors, School Administrators and others
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Where: Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization
101 Innovation Blvd., Suite 112
University Park - State College, PA 16802 - When: November 16 - 18, 2010
- Workshop Deposit: $500.00 per attendee. Participant support funds are available for qualified individuals. Please see Request for Financial Support Form.
Workshop Deposit Includes:
- Workshop registration
- Workshop materials/lab manuals (distributed at the workshop)
- Breakfast/Lunch as a group function
How does it work?
- Complete and return the workshop registration form and the Request for Financial Support Form if requesting support to the Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization by fax to 814-865-9400 or email to sbarger@engr.psu.edu
- Lodging is the responsibility of each participant. Rooms are currently being held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. The negotiated room rate is $99 per night if the reservation deadline is met. Please call 1-800-233-7505 and reference reservation identification #CENK10A by October 16, 2010
- You will be responsible for your transportation to and from the workshop each day (a very short walk to all workshop venues, if you choose to stay at the Penn Stater)
- Additional details will be mailed/faxed to you as a confirmation
- If you have any registration questions, contact Lisa Daub at (814) 865-9635, or ldaub@engr.psu.edu
- If you have any workshop questions, contact Bob Ehrmann at (814) 865-7558 or rehrmann@engr.psu.edu
Click here for registration form.
Find more nanotechnology events and conferences
- Nanoscale Informal Science Education
- Nanotechnology Conferences, Exhibitions and Events
- Nanotechnology Now
- NETWORKS Webinars (free)
- The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
Remote Access
NACK Center brings cutting-edge technology and instrumentation into your classroom, laboratory, and industry site by offering remote access to nanotechnology processing instruments.
Traditionally, an engineer from Penn State University orchestrates the instrument’s use, while offering additional assistance via phone or video conference.
Remote access experiences have been held as far away as Australia!
Available Instrumentation
- Atomic Force Microscope
- Scanning Electron Microscope
- Profilometer
- UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
Get Remote Access
To discuss the remote access experience and determine what it takes to get involved, please contact us.
Click here to request time on one of the available remote access tools.
Promotion and Recruitment Committee
NACK Center and its partners have assembled a committee responsible for promotion and recruitment, chaired by Dr. Ed Franklin of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges and NACK Center member representative Bob Ehrmann.
The goal of the committee is to promote educational and career opportunities for individuals in micro- and nanofabrication. This includes current and potential students, incumbent workers, industry personnel, as well as members from academia in a wide breadth of disciplines.
Committee Goals
- Review ongoing student recruitment activities of community and technical college micro- and nanotechnology programs
- Jointly devise and implement new, uniform strategies.
- Assess impacts and refine strategies accordingly.
Contribute to the Committee
Contact us to discuss your involvement and methodologies to promote educational and career opportunities in micro- and nanofabrication.
Webinars
The NACK center offers a live webinar, hosted by MATEC NetWorks, every month to engage and educate those of you that are interested in learning more about nanotechnology related topics. If you have an idea for a webinar please contact us.
To view archived webinars please visit the links below:
Upcoming Webinars
Nano Applications in Today’s World
September 24th 2010
Nanotechnology has often been thought of as playing a key role in the next industrial revolution. Nanotechnology is not an industry; it is an enabling technology that is impacting a growing number of industry sectors, which now include electronics, biotechnology, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and many others. Yet, many people still have no idea what nanotechnology is. Join us to discover why it is critically important that today's students (tomorrow's future) and instructors have a better understanding of nanotechnology and of its far-reaching implications - or risk the loss of the competitive opportunities available.
Click here to register.
Building a NanoLab: Equipment and Program Overview
October 15th 2010
This webinar will focus on the start-up costs, infrastructure, maintenance, staffing, and supplies needed to build a nanolab. Using the Pennsylvania Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology (NMT) Partnership class 100,000 modular-style educational teaching cleanroom as an example, we will discuss how other schools can start a nanofabrication training program at their own institution. We will also review the resource-sharing approach between the NACK Training Center and two- and four-year partner institutions that has proven to be an effective way to educate a skilled workforce. Join us to share your experiences or to learn how you can be a part of a similar program.
Click here to register.
Environmental Applications of Nanotechnology
November 19th 2010
Currently, nanotechnology is being used to monitor environmental pollutants as well as to remediate various environmental problems. Nanotechnology will help to develop new environmentally safe and green technologies that can minimize the formation of undesirable by-products or effluents. Nanotechnology is already being utilized to improve water quality and to assist in environmental clean-up issues. Join us to learn more about these and other environmental applications of nanotechnology.
Click here to register.
Introduction to Nanofabrication: Top Down and Bottom Up
February 25, 2011
Nanofabrication is defined as a field of applied science and technology whose theme is the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale, generally 100 nanometers or smaller, and the fabrication of devices or materials that lie within that size range. This webinar will provide a general overview of both the top-down and bottom up nanofabrication techniques utilized at this size range. NACK Center staff will also share additional educator resources to accomplish more detailed presentations on nanofabrication.
Click here to register.
Nanotech Works - Alumni Success Stories
March 25, 2011
Undergraduate level programs in nanotechnology have been in existence now for over ten years. How is the hands-on training in nanotechnology assisting alumni of these programs, and how is it providing American industry with a much needed skill set? This webinar will review data on alumni from nanotechnology programs, and alumni will share their success stories and discuss what they are doing now. The webinar will also focus on the NACK Center’s Alumni Network, which was developed to help graduates of nanotechnology degree programs enhance their professional opportunities and much more.
Click here to register.
Nanotechnology in Medicine
April 29, 2011
Nanotechnology applications in medicine offer some exciting possibilities. While some applications are still only far-fetched, others are at various stages of testing, or are already in use today. The use of nanotechnology in the field of medicine will revolutionize the way we detect and treat many illnesses and diseases. Many techniques are now making great progress towards becoming realities in the near future. This webinar will provide an overview of the status of how nanotechnology is impacting the world of medicine.
Click here to register.
Recruiting Under-Represented Minorities
May 26, 2011
Recruitment of students into STEM curriculum is a continuing problem for post secondary institutions across the country. The recruitment of underrepresented minorities into nanotechnology degree programs however, is an even greater challenge. This webinar will review some techniques and insights from several institutions across the U.S. that have been utilized to tackle this critical recruitment challenge.
Click here to register.
Archived Webinars
- Intro to Nano
- Ways of Introducing Nano into Your Program
- Nanotechnology in the Classroom Laboratory
- Introduction to Nano-Characterization
- Remote Access to Nano-Characterization Tools
- Recruitment for Nanotechnology Enrollment
- Nanotechnology: Applications in Energy
- Nanotechnology: Applications in Food
