Minnesota Nano Center

The Minnesota Nano Center, or MNC, is a state-of-the-art facility for interdisciplinary research in nanoscience and applied nanotechnology.

The Center offers a comprehensive set of tools to help researchers develop new micro- and nanoscale devices, such as integrated circuits, advanced sensors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and microfluidic systems. The MNC is also equipped to support nanotechnology research that spans many science and engineering fields, allowing advances in areas as diverse as cell biology, high performance materials, and biomedical device engineering.

Have a Project?

The tools and labs of the Nano Center are open for use by all trained and qualified users. We also do custom projects in the areas of microdevices, nanoparticles, and biomedical applications of nanotechnology.

Workshop on Gas Sorption Techniques

A special workshop on characterizing powders by physisorption & chemisorption will be held at the Minnesota Nano Center on October 22 and 23. The "Master Gas Sorption Techniques" workshop is presented in conjunction with experts from Anton Paar, a leading manufacturer of gas sorption analyzers. The workshop will feature presentations on physi- and chemisorption theory, tool demonstrations, and hands-on experience with our Quantachrome Autosorb iQ gas sorption system. If your work involves dry powder synthesis, particle characterization, catalysis, structured surfaces, or related research areas, you will find this workshop useful. Please go here for more information and registration. Space is limited, so please register soon.

GQL Announces Rolling Ad-Hoc Exchanges

The Global Quantum Leap Program, an international exchange program affiliated with the MNC, has announced that it will now be taking applications for project based exchange funding on a rolling basis. The project based exchange program is aimed at graduate students and postdocs who have an idea for a collaboration between two groups within the GQL network. If you have a potential international collaboration being held up by lack of funding the GQL can offer up to $8,000 to cover costs of housing, travel, and living expenses!

For more information and to find out if your institution is part of the GQL please follow the link below or email [email protected]!

Join MNC Staff at the Coffee Hour!

The Nano Center hosts a coffee hour for current and potential users on the first Tuesday of each month. These informal drop-in sessions offer MNC users the chance to meet with the staff of the Nano Center and discuss their projects or get pointers on using our nanofabrication tools. The Coffee Hour is held 2-3 PM in room PAN 130. See you there!

The Nano Center will be at MD&M Minneapolis

The Minnesota Nano Center will join exhibitors at the 2024 Medical Devices and Materials (MD&M) conference, taking place at the Minneapolis Convention Center on October 16-17. As part of an extensive exhibit by the University of Minnesota, the MNC will show examples of its capabilities in microelectronics fabrication, nanoparticle analysis, and the biomedical applications of nanotechnology. Join Us! Go here for more info, and here to register.

Acknowledgment of NSF and NNCI

Published papers must acknowledge all sources of financial support. Since MNC receives funds from the National Science Foundation through the NNCI network, MNC users must acknowledge that support on all publications and presentations. Our funding is jeopardized unless everyone complies, so please add the following to your acknowledgement sections:

“Portions of this work were conducted in the Minnesota Nano Center, which is supported by the National Science Foundation through the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) under Award Number ECCS-2025124."

In circumstances where there is insufficient space for this entire acknowledgement, please be sure to mention "Award Number ECCS-2025124" at a minimum.