Marcus Nanotech Cleanroom Open for Use

Ferst Drive (June 25, 2009) — Recently, the GaTech-Nanotechnology Research Center (GT-NRC) opened its brand new facility, The Marcus Nanotechnology Building (MNB) to the researchers in both academia and industry for usage in addition to its existing Pettit Microelectronics Building (PMB). The Pettit building houses an 8500 sq. ft. cleanroom (75% class 100, 25% class 10). The Marcus building includes 20,000 sq. ft. of inorganic cleanroom space for nanofabrication as well as 10,000 sq. ft. of organic and biological cleanroom space, including Biosafety level 1 and 2 (BSL-1 and BSL-2) labs. Additional space is provided for characterization and metrology, chemical processing, and biotechnology. Several tools that will be helpful in the life sciences research is in the process of procurement. Currently, available Bio-molecular tool set include, Bioforce Nano eNabler and Microfab jetlab II table-top ink-jet microdispensing and printing system. The Bioforce Nano eNabler is a surface patterning platform for dispensing attoliter to femtoliter volumes (1-50 ?m spots) of biomolecules, nanoparticles and other liquids. The ink-jet system is used for dispensing and printing a variety of materials for a wide variety of applications. The materials include liquid solder, adhesives, polymers, and biological materials, including diagnostic reagents, proteins, and DNA. For studies related to Biomolecular Interaction, Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) is available. This is used to measure bulk-surface interactions for materials, chemistry, and life sciences research. For surface characterization studies, the ramé-hart Model 250 Goniometer available. This tool helps to measure contact angles, surface energy as well as surface tension. For information, please contact: Paul Joseph, Ph. D (paul.joseph@mirc.gatech.edu).