More than 200 people gathered to celebrate the launch of Nevada’s semiconductor manufacturing industry on April 18 with the grand opening of the University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering Nanofabrication Lab in the Davidson Foundation Cleanroom. Sen. Jacky Rosen, President Brian Sandoval, members of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and representatives from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s office were present.
“The research and work being done here isn't just providing an unparalleled hands-on learning experience, it's an invaluable opportunity for skills training and economic growth in cutting-edge science fields like microelectronics, semiconductor production and bio medical engineering,” Rosen said. “We're going to bring a lot of new workforce here and create a whole new ecosystem.”
The Nanofabrication Lab (NanoFab) is Nevada’s flagship investment in the semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing supply chain. It is located in the class 100 Davidson Foundation Cleanroom in the University’s William Pennington Engineering Building on the main campus, and is equipped with tools for lithography, deposition, etching, wire bonding and metrology. Collectively, these tools enable the manufacture of electronic, photonic and quantum devices.
NanoFab Director Russ Renzas stressed the importance of community and collaboration in the lab, highlighting that the Nanofabrication Lab was to be an asset for all Nevada. He considered this even when choosing tools — the Quartz Barrel Asher is from Anatech USA in Sparks, Nevada, and the Micromanipulator Versa Probe Station was manufactured in Carson City, Nevada.
“We want to hear from our stakeholders throughout Nevada, including our citizens, our industry and of course our students and faculty about how this facility can help lead Nevada into an ever brighter future,” he said. “We are already working with our Rebel friends to the south to identify opportunities to work together at a state level as well, to ensure that the progress we make here at UNR benefits as many Nevadans as possible,” Renzas said.
Diversifying manufacturing in Nevada
Bringing the semiconductor and microelectronics industries to Nevada will diversify the state’s manufacturing economy.
“By making this investment, I believe, and I know, that we are setting up Nevada students for success in those new industries — the in-demand industries, industries of the future,” Rosen said. “We're going to strengthen our regional supply chain, that strengthens our national supply chain and bolsters our efforts to make Nevada a leader in manufacturing — the kind of manufacturing that will benefit not just our state but our entire nation and improve our national safety and security.”
She pointed out that none of this would have been possible without the historic bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act.
GOED Senior Director of Strategic Programs and Innovation Karsten Heise explained how the University’s NanoFab and the related regional consortium, are working alongside the state’s Recharge Nevada initiative for an innovative ecosystem around the lifecycle of lithium batteries and Tech Hub. Such efforts fall under strategy, the tenants of which are “increasing research capacity, commercializing research, fostering entrepreneurship, increasing access to capital and building a technically skilled workforce,” Heise said.
“We have not had this kind of coming together for innovative system building … the state is clearly on the move,” Heise said. He stressed the importance of such public-private partnerships.
Director Tom Simpkins welcomed all who are interested and have an interest in diversifying manufacturing in the state or those who play a part in the semiconductor supply chain with stakes in Nevada to join the SMART NV consortium.
Heise seconded this comment. “Come be part of an incredible journey,” he said.
“Nurturing” the Nanofabrication Lab
Event speaker Mary Tang, Stanford University Nanofabrication acting director, further defined the impact the NanoFab will have on Northern Nevada and beyond, so long as it is properly nurtured. She explained that procuring tools and opening the lab are just the start. She compared the grand opening to a celebration of a baby’s birth.
“A NanoFab is a baby, it's a living thing,” Tang said. “It can't take care of itself. It needs feeding. The NanoFab eats a lot. Don't be surprised. As this baby matures, it will become a hungry teenager. It will eat energy. It will eat water. It will consume consumables, like the gold, platinum — like there's no tomorrow.”
She stressed the need for continued investment in this state resource.
Entire communities are built around these ecosystems, according to Tang. Nanofabrication labs in research institutions attract businesses looking to acquire individuals trained in nanotechnology for a variety of disciplines. They can also support research and development and catalyze start-ups that come from and hire students.
“This kind of community building is an ecosystem, and this ecosystem is vibrant and feeds itself,” Tang said.
Heise likewise stressed the NanoFab’s role in facilitating research and development, not only manufacturing microelectronics in Nevada, but designing and developing such products.
“Facilities like this one behind me are absolutely crucial for Nevada to be able to move up the value chain,” Heise said.
In addition to being used for student learning and faculty research, the NanoFab provides a shared lab space for start-up enterprises.
“The NanoFab simply fits our strategy of fostering startup growth by offering this shared laboratory space, therefore providing what is critical for start-ups — that is a safe space to try, safe space to fail, safe space to improve, iteratively, innovatively,” Heise said.
Utilize and support the NanoFab
If you are interested in using the tools in the Nanofabrication lab, please contact NanoFab Director Russ Renzas.
If you are interested in learning more about how to support the nanofabrication lab and student learning, please contact College of Engineering Director of Development Jacqueline Maloney.
If you would like more information about SMART NV, please email the Engineering Research Office or visit the .
