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Portland Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Academy (PNNA)
www.pnna.groups.pdx.edu/
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 The Portland Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Academy (PNNA)—representing over twenty faculty members from
  the Departments of  Biology, Chemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Geology, Mechanical and Materials
  Engineering, and Physics at Portland State University and the Biomedical Engineering Department at Oregon Health
  and Science University—is dedicated to the promotion of research on nanoscience and nanotechnology, and committed
  to creating connections with the local, national, and international communities.

  
  Promoting the creation of shared research infrastructures
  Since its formation in 2003, the PNNA has advocated the long-term goal of creating the PSU NanoTechnology Center

  an initiative that was well received by the PSU administation through the Office of Research projects
.
 

  PNNA Laboratory (Science Building II, Room 405)
  As a first step, the PNNA is pursuing the progressive implementation of a fabrication and characterization facility, which
  is  already in operation under a shared-equipment modality. Faculty and their graduate students benefit greatky from the
  use of :
    1. Brand new mask aligner
OAI Model 204, 500W DUV/NUV, and
     2.  R
efurbished electron beam evaporator (Davis & Wilder).
    3. Chemical hood
  With this shared facility strategy, the PNNA is offering a  tangible benefit to its members.
  The upgrade of the PNNA Laboratoriy as a clean room facility is expected in 2007.

  Promoting innovative graduate education
  PNNA proposses the implementation of an interdisciplinary graduate program focused on the science and technology
  of the surfaces and interfaces of  nanomaterials
.
  The study of interfaces is inherently interdisciplinary and inextricably combines chemical and physical principles with
  biological or engineering applications. The large surface-to-volume ratio of very small structures means that their
  properties    are influenced by––and often controlled by––interfacial properties. This causes many emergent
  nanotechnologies to be increasingly dependent on the properties of interfacial boundaries as smaller dimensions are
  explored.


  MEMBERS

  The PNNA currently has more than 20 active members. While constituting  a group that organizes independently, the
  PNNA works in coordination with other entities outside and inside PSU.

  PNNA member's major research thrusts:
     1. Functionalized Surfaces and Interfaces,
     2. High Resolution Characterization of Interfaces, and
     3. Nanoscale Electronics and Sensors.

 PNNA Activities  2007
  PNNA_NanoFab Course-2007 :  Summer-2007  CH 410/510  PH410/510 "Fabrication and Characterization
  of Nanomaterials"

 
PNNA IGERT Pre-proposal submitted to the NSF-IGERT Program
  PNNA proposses to initiate graduate research and training for an interdisciplinary graduate program focused on the
  science and
  technology of the surfaces and interfaces of bio- and electronic nanomaterials. The study of interfaces is
  inherently interdisciplinary and inextricably combines chemical and physical principles with biological or engineering
  applications. The large surface-to-volume ratio of very small structures means that their properties (crystalline structure,
  band structure, optical  properties, relaxation times, etc.) are influenced by––and often controlled by––interfacial
  properties. This causes many emergent nanotechnologies to be increasingly dependent on the properties of interfacial
  boundaries as smaller dimensions are explored.


                                                                        QUOTE
                                                        When introduced to Rabi, Eisenhower said, " I am always very happy to see one
                                                        of the employees of the university," to which Rabi replied,
"Mr. President, the
                                                        faculty are not the employees of the university. They are the university.
"

                 
                                                Quote from " "Eisenhower, Scientists, and Sputnik, by J. S. Rigden; Physics Today,
                                                                      page 47, June-2007.

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2006 Group Meetings

    July 7th Meeting                 March 1st Meeting

2006 Group Activities
    Joint proposal:
NSF Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education.  Submitted March 2006
   
Coordinated by Dr. J. Morris jmorris@cecs.pdx.edu   

    Joint proposal:
DOE  FIPSE Program.
    Coordinated by Dr. J. Freeouf 
IntStudies@aol.com .  In preparation

    Training session
of 25 graduate students in the use of the recently acquired mask aligner. May 2006
 

    Summer Course 2006  CH 410/510  PH410/510 Fabrication and Characterization of Nanomaterials

    Highlights of the Inagural Plenary Session given by Dr. John Carruther video

    Preparation of a Theoretical Course to complement the hands-on experimental summer course 
CH 410/510  PH410/510
   
For more information contact Dr. P. Moeck  pmoeck@pdx.edu     This a draft open for discussion      Draf update (Nov-2006)

   Outreach Education Initiative involving PSU, OMSI … etc. ) This activity will lead to a large grant proposal submission.
   If interested in this activity contact Dr. S. Reed 
sreed@pdx.edu 

Chronology of the Organization of the PNNA
Oct  2003

   
Submission of a joint proposal
    Title: 
Fabrication Facility for the Development of Nano-Electro Mechanical Systems (NEMS) Technology.
               An emphasis on the development on NanooPolymers, Fluidics and Optical Devices.

    By:    A. La Rosa (Physics),  M. Yan (Chemistry), and L. Meekisho and M. Weislogel (Mechanical Engineering),.
    Submitted to:  Concept Paper. Proposal for Investing in Sponsored
Research -2003. Contest organized by
              the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects.

The above 5-page proposal is selected by the ORSP for a full proposal submission

Jan 2004
  
Submission of a joint proposal:
   Title :  “Initiation of Basic Infrastructure
for the Development of Nanotechnology at PSU. Instrumentation and
               Technical Support for Fabrication, Characterization and Packaging
of Nano  Polymer/Fluidic/Optical
               Devices and Nanostructures.

   
By:     A. La Rosa (Physics), L. Meekisho and M. Weislogel (Mechanical Engineering), and M. Yan (Chemistry)
               S. Benight (Chemistry), P. Moeck (Physicxs), J. Jiao (Physics),  C. Li (Physics), J. Morris (Electrical and
               Computer Engineering), R. Koenenkamp (Physics), S. Reed (Chemistry),
S. Yi (Mechanical and Materials
               Engineering).
    Submitted to: PSU Office of Research and Sponsored projects.

June 2004
Submission of a joint proposal:
Title:      NanoTechnology Center: Nanometrology group &federal grant writing support infrastructure.
By:       Peter Moeck (PH), Andres La Rosa (PH), Chunfei Li (PH), Rolf Koenenkamp (PH), Scott Reed (PH),
             Steve Benight (CH),  James Morris (EE)

Feb-Jun 2005

    Submission to the ORSP Office: a Rationale Document justifying the purchaseof a set of basic micro-fabrication systems,
   as well as
a request for laboratory space for their operation. The list included:
   a)  Mask aligner, including spin coating system (brand new).  $90k.
   b)  Electron  Beam Evaporator, EBE (used). (~ $45k).
   c)  Electron Beam Lithography, EBL, unit (brand new). $40k
   d)  Refurbishing of a Focused Ion-Beam (FIB) system. (Seiko 8800) (Donation).
   e)  RIE system (~ 45k).

September-2005
  Award from ORSP: $175k (exact amount may go up).

Dec-2005
The Chairs of the Academic Departments operating in SB-2 agreed
to make available Lab # 405 in SB2 for the exclusive use of the NTSG.

Jan-March 2006
  Electron  Beam Evaporator + a Chiller systems arrive to PSU. Both units were initially housed temporarily at Dr. Jim Morris’ laboratory.
  Mask aligner arrives to PSU in March-2006.

May 2006

  ORSP agrees the NSTG operate in SB2 Room 405.
  Mask aligner and EBE are implemented in SB2-405.
  ORSP approves the installation of a  Modular Clean Room inside SB2-405.


How do we organize ourselves
   
       
A single voice for the group (currently Andres) when communicating with the PSU administration.
    •        
Four deputy members (one from each department) coordinate and supervise the daily activities
         of the group, and supervise the actions
taken by the coordinator.
    •        The coordinator keeps informed the four  deputies of the group about all activities related  to the group
         and seeks for advise.
Currently this committee is composed by Jim Morris and S. Prasad (ECE),
         Lemmy Mekisho (ME), Mingdi Yan (CH) and Andres La Rosa (PH).

    •       
This “action” committee typically invites other members to participate (that has been the case lately, when
          S. Prasad and E. Sanchez have
provided valuable inputs). In fact any member is welcome to participate with
          the five deputies and help  in any activity pursued by the
group.