Cornell Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility

About Cornell Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility

The Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility (CNF) represents one of the world's premier open-access nanofabrication facilities, serving researchers from across academia, industry, and government. Established in 1977 as the National Nanofabrication Facility and later renamed, CNF operates as part of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) supported by the National Science Foundation. Located on Cornell University's campus in Ithaca, New York, the facility provides state-of-the-art equipment and expert technical support enabling research at the nanometer scale. The CNF has contributed to more than 7,000 publications and numerous patents, with its capabilities supporting breakthrough research across physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering. The facility's open-access model distinguishes it from proprietary clean rooms, welcoming researchers regardless of institutional affiliation. This approach democratizes access to sophisticated fabrication equipment that individual institutions could not justify acquiring independently. Users include faculty and students from over 100 universities annually, along with researchers from major corporations and startups commercializing nanotechnology innovations. The CNF's contribution to human resource development extends beyond its immediate users, with training programs and workshops that disseminate nanofabrication expertise broadly. Alumni of CNF training programs lead research groups and technology companies worldwide, creating a multiplier effect that extends the facility's impact far beyond its physical walls.

Access to CNF operates through a user application process designed to ensure productive facility use. Prospective users submit research proposals describing their fabrication needs, expected equipment usage, and relevant experience. The proposal review process assesses whether CNF capabilities can support proposed research and whether users have sufficient background to work safely and effectively in the clean room environment. Approved users receive training on specific equipment before beginning independent work, with training requirements scaled to prior experience and research complexity. User fees support facility operations, with rates differentiated by user category. Academic users pay reduced rates reflecting NSF support, while industrial users pay full cost recovery rates. These fees purchase equipment time, with different tools priced according to operating costs and demand. Small companies and startups qualify for reduced rates through specific programs designed to support technology commercialization. The CNF staff helps prospective users assess whether the facility suits their research needs, often identifying capabilities or alternative approaches that users might not have considered. This consultative approach ensures that users achieve research objectives efficiently while facility resources are utilized effectively.

While the CNF primarily serves as a research facility rather than a degree-granting institution, its educational impact pervades nanoscale science and engineering education. Graduate students from Cornell and visiting institutions receive intensive training in nanofabrication techniques as part of their thesis research. This hands-on education includes both formal courses and individualized mentoring from CNF technical staff, whose expertise in process development often exceeds that available at users' home institutions. The training curriculum covers photolithography, electron beam lithography, thin film deposition, etching processes, and characterization techniques that form the foundation of modern device fabrication. The CNF offers structured educational programs that extend training beyond enrolled researchers. The annual CNF Short Course provides intensive instruction in nanofabrication fundamentals, attracting participants from universities, national laboratories, and industry. Summer programs introduce undergraduate students to nanotechnology research, creating pathways for students from institutions without nanofabrication capabilities. Workshops address specialized topics including MEMS fabrication, nanoimprint lithography, and biosensor development. These educational activities ensure that advances in fabrication capability translate into broadly distributed expertise. Partnerships with Cornell academic programs integrate CNF capabilities into graduate curricula, with courses in materials science, electrical engineering, and applied physics incorporating fabrication laboratories. Research conducted at CNF spans the frontier of nanoscale science and technology, with users pursuing applications from quantum computing to medical diagnostics. The facility's comprehensive equipment suite enables research requiring multiple fabrication techniques. Quantum device fabrication supports groups developing qubits and quantum sensors. Microfluidic and biosensor research creates devices for medical diagnostics and biological research.

Student Life & Environment

Life at CNF combines the intensity of cutting-edge research with the collaborative culture that distinguishes open-access facilities. The clean room operates 24 hours daily, accommodating users whose experimental schedules demand continuous access. Researchers from different institutions work side by side, creating informal communities that share techniques and troubleshoot challenges. This collaborative environment accelerates learning, as users benefit from collective expertise that exceeds what any single research group could develop. The technical staff serves as a crucial resource, with process engineers who have developed deep expertise through years of supporting diverse research programs. The facility occupies purpose-built space on Cornell's engineering campus, providing approximately 15,000 square feet of clean room space along with offices, training facilities, and common areas. Visiting researchers access campus amenities including libraries, recreation facilities, and dining options. Graduate student housing options serve extended visits, while short-term visitors utilize university guest housing. The broader Ithaca community offers natural beauty, cultural attractions, and a quality of life that makes extended research stays appealing. CNF's location on a major research university campus provides intellectual stimulation beyond the facility itself, with seminars, conferences, and informal interactions that enrich the research experience.

Location & Surroundings

The Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility is located on Cornell University's campus in Ithaca, New York. Situated in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Ithaca offers a distinctive college town environment surrounded by spectacular natural beauty including gorges, waterfalls, and state parks. The campus itself sits on a hill overlooking Cayuga Lake, providing scenic views and outdoor recreation opportunities. Despite its rural setting, Ithaca maintains strong connections to research centers and industry. The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport provides regional connections, while Syracuse and Rochester airports offer broader options within reasonable driving distance. The region's lower cost of living compared to major metropolitan areas makes extended research stays more affordable. Cornell's campus provides comprehensive amenities for visitors and researchers, including housing, dining, recreation, and cultural events. The collaborative atmosphere of a major research university, combined with the natural environment, creates an appealing setting for intensive research work.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Students trained at CNF achieve exceptional outcomes across academia and industry. The fabrication skills developed through CNF research create career advantages in fields where nanoscale capabilities are essential. Alumni occupy faculty positions at research universities worldwide, leading groups that advance nanoscale science and often establishing collaborations that bring their students back to CNF. Industry career paths lead to semiconductor manufacturers, biotechnology companies, and the growing ecosystem of startups commercializing nanotechnology. The CNF credential signals sophisticated technical training that employers value highly. Semiconductor companies including Intel, IBM, and TSMC recruit actively from institutions with strong nanofabrication programs, recognizing that clean room experience provides essential preparation for process engineering roles. Startup founders with CNF backgrounds bring technical credibility that supports fundraising and team building. The facility maintains an alumni network that facilitates career connections, with former users often providing opportunities for current researchers. The combination of technical skills, collaborative experience, and problem-solving capabilities developed at CNF prepares researchers for leadership in technology-intensive fields.