Micro- and Nanotechnology

Albuquerque’s rapidly evolving microsystems cluster and the promise of the city’s nanotechnology assets have captured the attention of Small Times Magazine and the Milken Institute.

Microsystems are devices smaller than a human hair and larger than a few human red blood cells that can think, act, sense and communicate. Nanotechnology operates on an atomic or molecular scale, allowing new materials or structures to be created atom by atom.

Dozens of local companies are either microsystems companies or rely on micro- or nano-technologies. These companies are drawing on Albuquerque’s combined assets: Programs and facilities at Sandia National Laboratories, which exceed anything the nation’s best academic institutions have to offer, plus innovative training programs.

In 2007 Small Times ranked New Mexico third among the “Top 10 Small Tech Hot Spots” for its role in microsystems and nanotech development.

Micro-Nano Assets

Sandia National Laboratories is a microsystems and nanotech pioneer. It has helped develop the technology, built microsystems fabrication and design facilities and provided training. Fortune Magazine called Sandia “one of the dream playgrounds for MEMS research.” Sandia is also a leader in nanosciences, creating new materials and coatings and developing tools to enable nanotech work.

Facilities include the $420 million Microsystems Engineering and Sciences Applications complex and the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, where lab scientists can collaborate with visitors from universities, other laboratories, and industry.

The University of New Mexico has two facilities for micro and nano: The Center for High Technology Materials, which features a Crystal Growth Facility to create structures used in advanced semiconductor devices; and the Manufacturing Training and Technology Center, which supports manufacturing prototyping.

In 2005 the Nano-Network of New Mexico organized to help commercialize applications developed in the labs. It will be managed by Technology Ventures Corp.

Workforce Training

In 2004 Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) received a National Science Foundation grant to set up the Southwest Center for Microsystems Education to develop technician-level curriculum in microsystems. TVI previously received a NASA grant to create microsystems courses and offered its first class in 2002.

The University of New Mexico boasts the first microsystems chair in the nation, courtesy of a $750,000 endowment from Public Service Company of New Mexico; the Manufacturing Training and Technology Center trains engineers from UNM and technicians from TVI ; and UNM and Sandia offer a joint program in nano- and microelectronics along with microfabrication.

Contacts

Micro and Nanotechnology Commercialization Education Foundation (MANCEF)

(505) 255-1826
info@mancef.org

Nano-Network of New Mexico

http://www.mancef.org/nnnm.htm