Tag Archives: RTNN

RTNN Brings Nanotechnology into the Classroom through Web-Based Video Demonstrations

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On December 9th, Chapel Hill Analytical and Nanofabrication Laboratory (CHANL), an RTNN member facility, hosted an interactive web-based demonstration for middle school students at Orange Charter School in Hillsborough, NC. Using one of our high-magnification scanning electron microscopes (SEM), UNC-CH chemistry graduate students Catherine McKenas and Nicole Smiddy imaged samples that the middle school students had collected and mailed in. Students saw features of their samples that are not visible with the naked eye or traditional optical microscopes, including the microscopic details of a cricket head, guinea pig food, and cat hair.

Visit our Education page to find out how you can bring RTNN capabilities into your classroom.

View a video recording of this demonstration, courtesy of teacher Andrew Gatt:

 

Phillip Strader Joins RTNN as Textile Technology Project Scientist

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The RTNN welcomes Phillip Strader as a member of its staff!

Phillip will serve as a Project Scientist for RTNN, operating mainly from the NC State campus cohort of the network. His primary work will consist of coordinating access to research, education, and outreach services for industry and academia related to textile nanoscience through the capabilities made possible by RTNN. Additionally, he will be an independent user of various analytical techniques available through the Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) at NC State.

Prior to joining RTNN, Phillip studied at the NC State University College of Textiles – earning a B.S. in Textile Technology (2013) and eventually an M.S. in Textiles (2015), while serving as a Research Assistant at the Nonwovens Institute and working on an industrial research project for Eastman Chemical.

(Images courtesy of Gregory Parsons, Jesse Jur, and Philip Bradford at NC State.)

RTNN Offers Free Facilities Access to Those with Limited Funding

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Applications for the RTNN’s Free-Use Facilities Access Fund are now available. The Free-Use Fund allows members of the nanotechnology and greater scientific communities, who would otherwise not have the financial resources, to use RTNN facilities for hands-on science education, cutting- edge research, or high-risk, high-reward R&D activity with the potential to facilitate disruptive technologies.

Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but with a priority decision deadline of January 15, 2016. Proposals will be funded up to a maximum of $1,000 in user fees and materials expenses for a maximum six-month period from the award date.

For further information, visit our Opportunities page.

CHANL Research Scientist Position Posted

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The Chapel Hill Analytical and Nanofabrication Laboratory (CHANL), an RTNN user facility, is now seeking exceptional candidates for a Fabrication Research Scientist to join our team. Details and web links are below.

Research Scientist (Fabrication): https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/88708

CHANL is a shared instrumentation laboratory open to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, other institutions, government labs, and private industry. The Fabrication Scientist will assist in executing projects for off-campus users, which may involve use of multiple facilities, including CHANL and similar facilities such as the Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMIF) at Duke University and the Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) and NCState Nanofabrication Facility (NNF) at North Carolina State University. Responsibilities will also include training new users to use equipment in CHANL and helping to maintain CHANL equipment. The Fabrication Scientist will also participate in and help coordinate educational workshops and outreach events that promote CHANL’s mission.

Applicants should have experience working in a cleanroom environment with vacuum systems and/or micro/nano fabrication equipment/processes, including deposition systems (PVD, CVD, ALD), etching (wet and dry), lithography (e-beam and photo). An aptitude for troubleshooting lab instruments. Ability to identify potential hazards in the laboratory and undertake safe work practices. Willingness to take on a wide variety of roles and able to work independently or with a diverse group of people. Excellent organizational and problem solving skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Extremely detailed oriented and self-motivated.

RTNN Manager, Project Scientist, and Process Engineering Positions Available!

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The RTNN is now seeking exceptional candidates for RTNN Program Manager, Project Scientist, and Process Engineer to join our team. Details and web links are below.

RTNN Manager: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/59833

The RTNN Manager will oversee user projects within diverse nanofabrication and characterization facilities, will communicate with internal and external stakeholders, will develop and execute education and workforce training programs, and will manage multiple other aspects of the RTNN project including the collection of performance metrics data and authoring reports for the National Science Foundation. The Manager be the first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders (including users) seeking access, support, and information on facilities, equipment, and expertise of the RTNN.

RTNN Project Scientist: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/59731.

The RTNN Project Scientist will execute research projects for external users, develop new instrumentation and capabilities, and assist in education and outreach activities. The Project Scientist will perform work within facilities including (but not exclusively) at the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science (TECS), Zeiss Textile Extension Service, and the Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF). In collaboration with faculty, the Project Scientist will develop new processes and techniques within TECS. The Project Scientist will assist in the creation, planning, and coordination of workforce training and events and will mentor graduate students who are working with the network in this capacity. The Project Scientist will also represent the network by giving lectures on specific processes and techniques to internal and external audiences.

RTNN Process Engineer: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/60067

The Process Engineer is a full-time position that will support numerous research aspects of the RTNN and NNF programs. In particular, the Process Engineer will execute research projects for external users, develop new instrumentation and capabilities, and assist in education and outreach activities. The Process Engineer will complete project/job assignments given by the NNF Director for internal and external clients by performing work required within one of the participating facilities or laboratories of the RTNN. Projects will be heterogeneous in nature, i.e. requiring staff to work across multiple facilities to accomplish the tasks. Communication with the client, NNF Director, RTNN Manager, and facility staff is critical to the successful completion of the projects. The Process Engineer will also develop new processes and techniques that can be marketed to internal and external clients. The Process Engineer will assist in the creation, planning, and coordination of workforce training and events and will mentor graduate students who are working with the network in this capacity. The Process Engineer will also represent the network by giving lectures on specific processes and techniques.