CNF Wrap Up Posted 9/26/2024
Dear CNF Community:
A few announcements for you.
Including four CNF / NNCI announcements
#1
Our network, the NNCI, is holding our annual image contest, “Plenty of Beauty at the Bottom” in celebration of National Nanotechnology Day (Oct. 9). NNCI sites contributed images in three categories and public voting will be open September 20, 2024, at 6AM EST and will close on September 27, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST.
Repeat -- voting closes on Friday, September 27, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST!!
Please share this link with your users, faculty, students, staff, and anyone else you would like.
https://nnci.net/plenty-beauty-bottom
Mikkel A. Thomas, Ph.D
Associate Director of Education and Outreach
Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology
Georgia Institute of Technology
#2
THE CNF IS HOSTING A HUGE AND FUN NANODAY OPEN HOUSE!
Saturday, October 19, 2024 9am to 3pm
https://events.cornell.edu/event/nano-day-2024
JOIN US!
#3
January Virtual TCN
January 8 - 10, 2025
https://www.cnf.cornell.edu/education/tcn
#4
CNF Job Ops
[1] Senior Nanotechnology Process Engineer
[2] Program Extension Aide III
https://www.cnf.cornell.edu/about/careers
Melanie-Claire
CNF Public Relations
CNF News, https://www.cnf.cornell.edu/highlights
MCM's STANDARD REMINDER & DISCLAIMER:
REMINDER; If you are no longer a CNF User / PI and or want to update your status with us, send a message to me AND the userprogram@cnf.cornell.edu ! Thank you.
DISCLAIMER; I do not necessarily know the people running the conferences and webinars included below. So, buyer beware! I do know the CNF news of course, and who the job opportunities are coming from, so those are trusted sources.
[OCT 2 WEBINAR]
ProSEM SEM Metrology Webinar on Oct 2nd
To: botsch@cnf.cornell.edu
Hi Dave,
I just wanted to inform you that we will be giving a ProSEM webinar on SEM metrology next Wed, Oct 2nd. If you know of anyone interested in this event, could you please forward them our link:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7245054376094887936/
Many thanks,
Marvin
[NATIONAL NANOTECH DAY]
National Nanotechnology Day is October 9!
What are you doing for #NationalNanoDay?
THE CNF IS HOSTING A HUGE AND FUN NANODAY OPEN HOUSE!
Saturday, October 19, 2024 9am to 3pm
https://events.cornell.edu/event/nano-day-2024
JOIN US!
National Nanotechnology Day is an annual event featuring community-led events and activities on or around October 9 to help raise awareness of nanotechnology, its use in products that enrich our daily lives, and the challenges and opportunities for the future. This date, 10/9, pays homage to the nanometer scale, 10-9 meters.
In celebration of National Nanotechnology Day and National Chemistry Week (Oct. 20–26), participate in the NanoInFocus image contest! This contest invites U.S.-based students and researchers to submit images representing structures or materials at the nanoscale that they have created during their research activities. The top three winning images will receive prizes of up to $1,000. The deadline to submit images is Sept. 25, 2024. Public voting for the winning images begins on National Nanotechnology Day. Submit your image today!
Planning for various events and activities is underway at schools, universities, and various organizations around the country. For example, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will be celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its Nanotechnology Research Center with a Nanotechnology Health and Safety Summit on Oct. 9!
Whether at home, at school, outside, or in a science museum, there are many ways to explore advances in nanotechnology and how it is impacting our everyday lives! Here are a few suggested activities:
* Participate in the NanoInFocus image contest by submitting an image and sharing how that nanoscale work will impact society. You could win a prize of up to $1,000!
* If you are a K–12 student or teacher, you could invite a nanoscientist or a nanoengineer to visit your classroom on October 9. Email Patrice Pages (ppages@nnco.nano.gov) to learn more.
* If you are a nanoscientist or a nanoengineer, consider volunteering to virtually visit a K–12 classroom. Email Patrice Pages (ppages@nnco.nano.gov) to learn more.
* Host a Science Café or an informal discussion on nanotechnology in your town.
* Organize lab tours and open houses.
* Play the Nano around the World card game, from the National Informal STEM Education (NISE) Network, and reflect on the potential uses of nanotechnology across the globe.
Also, there will be discussions and stories posted on X and LinkedIn, so be on the lookout for this content on Oct. 9!
If you have other ideas for activities in celebration of National Nanotechnology Day, we’d love to share them. Please let us know at: nnd@nnco.nano.gov. Also, if you have questions about National Nanotechnology Day, please feel free to contact us at: nnd@nnco.nano.gov.
[NNCO SEMINAR]
National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) Public Webinar
Nanometrology Webinar Series
Webinar 5: Continuous and Automated Manufacturing
October 4, 2024, 12–1:30 p.m. ET
To register, visit: https://nnco-nano.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_OkF-yHaySUymJNSdBlpbWQ
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) is continuing its series of webinars on nanometrology, metrological challenges, and recent advances, with two additional webinars on the following topics: 1) Nanometrology for Continuous and Automated Manufacturing (Oct. 4); and 2) Nanometrology Involving Big Data, AI, and Modeling (Nov. 1). Recordings of the webinars from earlier this year can be found here.
The first webinar, “Nanometrology for Continuous and Automated Manufacturing,” will describe challenges related to in-line and at-line measurements in continuous systems and measurements made in automated systems. The following topics will be discussed:
* In-line characterization of nanomaterials, such as boron nitride nanotubes during plasma synthesis;
* Automation and characterization of heterostructures from 2D nanomaterials with the QPress;
* Development and challenges of automation and characterization involving “self-driving” fluidic systems for smart manufacturing of nanomaterials.
Speakers:
Yevgeny Raitses
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Suji Park
Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National Laboratory
Milad Abolhasani
North Carolina State University
Background:
Metrology, the study of measurement, is an important part of the research and development toolbox that enables researchers to measure the properties and performance of materials and devices and to generate data from laboratory experiments. Over the past 20 years of nanotechnology R&D, many areas of research have required the development of novel tools, methods, and techniques to characterize and evaluate materials, devices, and formulations. Nanometrology, the study of nanoscale measurement, presents a unique set of challenges due to the small size of the materials, often requiring more sensitive and innovative tools, methods, and techniques to obtain and understand characterization data.
Nanometrology Webinar Series Schedule:
Oct. 4: Nanometrology for Continuous and Automated Manufacturing
Nov. 1: Nanometrology Involving Big Data, AI, and Modeling
Our mailing address is:
NNCO
2415 Eisenhower Ave
Alexandria, VA 22314-4684
Add us to your address book
[JOB OP]
Hi Melanie-Claire,
I’m the CTO of REEgen, a start-up incubating on Cornell’s campus. REEgen uses bacteria to cleanly extract and purify rare earth elements from recycled and waste materials.
We are looking to hire someone with expertise in microfluidics and experience building optical systems for a role in our company. Some microbiology experience is preferred. I would greatly appreciate it if you could share our job description (attached below) to the CNF community.
Thanks,
Sean
Sean Medin
REEgen Chief Technology Officer
Senior Biological/Chemical Engineer at REEgen in Ithaca, NY
Overview:
REEgen is an Ithaca-based startup revolutionizing the sustainable production of rare earth elements (REE) using synthetic biology. REE are vital components in electronics and renewable energy infrastructure. Traditional REE production methods generate hazardous waste and emissions. At REEgen, we’re pioneering clean, biological systems to extract, recover, and purify REE from diverse sources, minimizing environmental impact and securing a sustainable energy future.
Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Biological or Chemical Engineer to join our dynamic research and development team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in microfluidics and optics and in a subset of the following: chromatography columns, microbiology, polymer chemistry, and/or general biological or chemical engineering.
Key Responsibilities:
● Design and test methods for encapsulating bacteria in chromatography columns.
● Design, fabricate, and operate microfluidic droplet creation and droplet sorting devices.
● Analyze experimental data using statistical methods and bioinformatics tools to evaluate the performance and optimize the use of chromatography columns for REE separations and the microfluidic device for selecting bacteria.
● Design and execute flowsheets for creating an automated system of multiple chromatography columns to purify REE.
● Manage multiple projects simultaneously, including setting timelines, allocating resources, and coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of project milestones.
● Collaborate with a team of scientists to integrate synthetic biology solutions and communicate research findings and project updates effectively to colleagues.
● Identify and evaluate new technologies, methodologies, and tools for potential integration into our research and development pipeline.
Desired Qualifications:
● Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or related field.
● Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in engineering research, preferably in an industrial setting.
● Experience with molecular biology techniques.
● Expertise in high-throughput screening, particularly using microfluidic droplets, and the design, creation, and operation of these screening methods.
● Expertise in designing and operating chromatography columns.
● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot experimental challenges and optimize protocols.
● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
● Proven track record of independent research, including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
● Experience with project management software and tools for tracking progress, managing resources, and prioritizing tasks.
Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience. Range: $85k-$100k.
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter email with CV attached to sean@reegen.tech with "REEgen Biological/Chemical Engineer" as the subject. To help us in our selection process, please include in your email the answer to the following question:
● What microbe (bacteria or fungi) do you find interesting, and why?
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
About REEgen:
REEgen is an early-stage start-up, founded in February of 2022 and spun out of research in the Barstow Lab at Cornell University supported by an ARPA-E grant. In September of 2022, REEgen licensed its core IP from Cornell’s Center for Tech Licensing and was accepted into the Praxis Center for Venture Development. REEgen’s lab space is currently located in the Praxis Center for Venture Development on Cornell’s Ithaca, NY campus.
[NNCI's 2025 Winter School]
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS!
Twelfth Annual Winter School on Emerging Technologies: Accelerating Impactful Scholarship supported by The National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure
January 3-10, 2025
The Winter School provides junior scholars and scientists an introduction to and practical experience with methods and theory for better understanding the social dimensions of emerging technologies. The 2025 Winter School will be focused on the broad notion of impact with an aim to explore ways for participants to increase and diversify the impact of their work. The National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure Coordinating Office is now supporting the winter school, run by the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University.
What to expect:
This year’s program will include a series of interactive sessions with academic scholars to explore different ways that research can positively impact the world beyond the specific contexts in which studies are conducted. As a Winter School participant, you will exchange ideas and engage with an interdisciplinary community of young scholars from around the world, and discuss how your work connects to pressing issues influenced by emerging technologies. Ample work time and breaks are built into the Winter School schedule to encourage participants to guide their own learning experience.
Mentorship sessions with attending faculty are also offered.
Why apply?
The Winter School is an immersive experience for scholars early in their research careers to share their own unique research and learn from peers and experts. The faculty at the Winter School offer theoretical framings, analytical tools and hands-on lessons in applying social science, natural science, and engineering approaches to studying the impacts of emerging technologies on societies. Participating in the Winter School will enrich your professional networks and provide ample opportunities to share ideas, collaborate with peers, and develop proposals that can enhance the impact and visibility of your work.
Who should apply?
Applicants should be advanced graduate students or recent PhDs (post-doc or untenured faculty within three years of completing a PhD at time of application) with an expressed interest in studying emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, robotics, synthetic biology, geoengineering, artificial intelligence, etc. Applicants may come from any discipline and must be demonstrably proficient in English.
Where?
The program will spend its twelfth consecutive year at Saguaro Lake Ranch in Mesa, AZ with access to Sonoran Desert hiking, kayaking on Saguaro Lake, horseback riding and relaxing by the Salt River.
Check out their website at http://www.saguarolakeranch.com/.
Program Cost:
The program fees for accepted students will be covered by the NNCI including seven nights at Saguaro Lake Ranch, meals and local transportation from Tempe, Arizona. Participants will be responsible for their own travel to Tempe, Arizona and should arrive before 2:00 pm on January 3rd.
To Apply:
Visit https://sfis.asu.edu/events/winter-school/ to access an application and learn more about the 2025 Winter School program. Participants are requested to be fully vaccinated before they arrive at the Ranch.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MONDAY OCTOBER 7th, 2024.
[CNF REMINDERS]
1) If you are no longer a CNF User / PI and or want to update your status with us, send your message to userprogram@cnf.cornell.edu
2) Acknowledging the CNF and including our CORRECT grant number NNCI-2025233 is CRITICAL to our continuing to be your research facility. We cannot stress this enough.
Just copy & paste the following...
This work was performed in part at the Cornell NanoScale Facility, a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), which is supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant NNCI-2025233).
OR if space is a concern, copy & paste the following...
This work was performed in part at the Cornell NanoScale Facility, an NNCI member supported by NSF Grant NNCI-2025233.
We THANK YOU for your efforts! The acknowledgement you include today means we will still be here for you tomorrow!
