NTNU NanoLab

NTNU NanoLab
Name	NTNU NanoLab
Established	2003
Parent	Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Location	Trondheim, Norway
Field	Nanotechnology, Materials science, Microtechnology
Director	Knut E. Aasmundtveit

NTNU NanoLab. It is a central cleanroom and research laboratory at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology dedicated to nanotechnology and microtechnology. The facility supports a wide range of academic and industrial research, providing state-of-the-art equipment for the fabrication and characterization of micro- and nano-scale devices. Its work is integral to advancing fields such as semiconductors, MEMS, and novel materials.

Overview

The laboratory operates as an open-access national research infrastructure, serving students, faculty, and external partners from both academia and industry. It is a key component of NTNU's strategic focus on materials science and nanoscience, housed within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and closely linked to the Department of Physics. The lab's mission is to enable cutting-edge research and innovation in a collaborative environment, fostering breakthroughs that address global technological challenges.

Facilities and Equipment

The core of the facility is a 650 m² ISO 5 and ISO 6 cleanroom, designed to minimize particulate contamination during sensitive fabrication processes. Key equipment includes multiple electron beam lithography systems, reactive-ion etching tools, and atomic layer deposition systems. For characterization, researchers have access to advanced instruments such as scanning electron microscopes, atomic force microscopes, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy apparatus. The lab also maintains specialized areas for bio-MEMS work and optical lithography.

Research and Development

Research activities span fundamental science to applied engineering, with strong projects in silicon photonics, graphene-based devices, and lab-on-a-chip systems. Scientists here have contributed to developments in quantum dots for sensing, novel energy harvesting materials, and advanced microfluidic platforms for biomedical engineering. The work often involves collaboration with major institutes like SINTEF and international partners, pushing the boundaries of miniaturization and functional materials.

Education and Training

The laboratory is a vital educational hub, providing hands-on training for PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and master's degree students from various disciplines. It offers specialized courses in microfabrication techniques and nanoscale characterization, often integrated with degree programs in physics, electronics, and materials engineering. This training ensures a skilled workforce for the Norwegian and international high-tech industry, with many alumni moving to companies like Intel and Kongsberg Gruppen.

Collaborations and Partnerships

NTNU NanoLab maintains extensive networks, including formal partnerships with the Research Council of Norway and the European Union's Horizon Europe framework program. It is a node in the national NORFAB infrastructure and collaborates closely with industrial partners such as Equinor and ABB. International academic collaborations involve institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Cambridge, facilitating exchange of knowledge and joint research publications.

History and Background

The initiative for a centralized nanofabrication facility at NTNU began in the late 1990s, driven by growing interest in MEMS and nanoscience. Officially inaugurated in 2003, the lab was established with significant funding from the Research Council of Norway and the Ministry of Education and Research (Norway). Under the directorship of Knut E. Aasmundtveit, it has undergone several expansions, most notably in 2015 to enhance its cleanroom capabilities and accommodate new electron microscopy tools, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of Norwegian technological research.

Category:Research institutes in Norway Category:Nanotechnology organizations Category:Norwegian University of Science and Technology