Front Page News

Free AFM Workshop

December 18, 2015

We will be hosting an upcoming workshop on nano-electrical AFM characterization methods, focusing on Peak Force Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (PF-KPFM). This free workshop will run from 10 am to 5 pm on January 13th 2016 and will include lectures as well as demonstrations on the Dimension Icon instrument in the Surface Analysis Lab. Date/Time: […]


Jan Goral Wins November FEI Image Contest

December 9, 2015

Jan Goral was among the four winners of FEI’s November Image Contest for this 3d volume reconstruction of a shale sample. The data acquisition was on our Helios. View all November Image Contest entries


TEM Short Course 2016 Spring

November 10, 2015

This short course will provide a basic introduction to the concepts and theory behind TEM and analytical STEM, while focusing on developing practical skills in the use of the new JEOL 2800 analytical/STEM in the SMBB building. The class consists of seven one hour long lectures and seven three hour labs starting the week of […]


New nanometer scale 3D tomography

September 3, 2015

The Surface Analysis lab is pleased to announce the addition of 3D imaging and elemental mapping tomography to its high resolution S/TEM, the JEM-2800. Through a collaboration between the U, S/TEM manufacturer JEOL and developer App5, we add another first-of-its-kind among academic institutions: the ability to map elemental compositional distributions in 3D. This is done […]


Annual Safety Training 2015

September 2, 2015

We have scheduled our annual safety training sessions on the following dates: Thursday, September 3rd 1:00pm-3:00pm, SMBB 2650 OR Friday, September 4th 10:00am-12:00pm, SMBB 2650 Each Cleanroom lab member must attend one of the scheduled safety training sessions. Attendance is mandatory to retain access to the cleanroom. Please RSVP at the following link before Friday, […]


Process Move from MEB Microfab to SMBB Nanofab Cleanroom Complete

August 21, 2015

Congratulations to the Utah Nanofab Team for successfully migrating processes and capabilities from MEB to SMBB. It officially began just shy of two years ago (September 12, 2013) when we opened the lab for first operations in the photolithography bay. Now it is complete with the commissioning of the new w/d oxidation furnace which allows […]


Surface Analysis Lab Offers TEM Short Course: August 24 to October 19.

July 27, 2015

This short course will provide a basic introduction to the concepts and theory behind TEM and analytical STEM, while focusing on developing practical skills in the use of the new JEOL 2800 analytical/STEM in the SMBB building. The class consists of seven one hour long lectures, seven one hour long demonstrations, and seven three hour […]


SEM Short Course for 2015

June 11, 2015

Surface Analysis Lab Offers SEM Short Course: July 6 Aug 10, 2015 We are offering our annual Applied SEM short course starting the week of July 6 to August 10, 2015. The basic 5-week module will cover training on SEM imaging and EDS analysis using the Quanta 600F and hi-res imaging with the Helios Nanolab […]


Move Status

April 21, 2015

All major tools have relocated to the SMBB from MEB Construction on the clean conference room (for summer temperature stability) has been completed LPCVD and oxidation processes are still operational in MEB until new USTAR cleanroom tube furnaces are qualified (ETA: end of May) TMV Sputtering tool is relocated and in position. The cryopump has […]


New Student Originated Projects (Funded by USTAR)

April 21, 2015

USTAR generously funded a program that allows students to propose their own ideas, and use the facilities and resources of the Utah Nanofab (cleanroom + microscopy) to build and/or characterize materials and devices of their own interest, independent of faculty funding. Go to the main Nanofab website and click on the student link under the […]


New Keyence VHX-5000

April 21, 2015

Thanks to the core RIF program from the University VP’s, we have a new 3D optical microscope (useful magnification to ~4,000X). http://www.keyence.com/products/microscope/digital-microscope/vhx-5000/index.jsp This microscope is especially useful with sample topography Located in the Clean Conference Room attached to the USTAR Cleanroom, see a member of staff for access or training.


Remarkable S/TEM Performance

April 21, 2015

The new USTAR/MRSEC analytical S/TEM has been producing remarkable results.  Guests from ORNL have brought in samples from Argonne National Labs to baseline the instrument, finding it ~4x more sensitive than anything they have in their own portfolio.  Come try out the performance, to get lattice resolution STEM images while simultaneously obtaining nm-resolution on EDS […]


dbFIB available for Business Access / new lower rates

April 21, 2015

We have opened up the FIB for off-campus and business training and services, including sample preparation lift-outs for the new Scanning / Transmisssion Electron Microscope (analytical S/TEM). Access rates on the FIB have been lowered for all users, and we have created a special low rate for use of the HRSEM when only imaging is […]


Misuse of Tool Reservation System

April 19, 2015

Monthly thresholds and annual caps do not apply to misuse of the tool reservation system. If a lab user fails to cancel their equipment reservation they will be charged for any unused reservation time. 


Nanofab Update (USTAR Cleanroom and Surface Analysis Lab)

January 30, 2015

Utah Nanofab General Update New rates and caps took effect July ‘14 with a simplified approach that eliminates charges for time in the lab, and provides online tools for PI’s to evaluate real-time cost tracking Utah was selected as the host institution for the 2016 worldwide conference of peer cleanroom administrators: http://ugim.nanofab.utah.edu Use of the […]


Equipment Move Schedule Update

January 26, 2015

We are on the home stretch of the equipment move into the SMBB Nanofab. Thus, there are some critical equipment move/installation plans that we need to make you aware of. EQUIPMENT MOVE INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE TMV Sputter System March 10, 2015: Last day to use the TMV for six weeks (precious metal targets will be […]


Annual Cap Rates Change

January 7, 2015

6-month review of new billing system produced the following change in annual cap rates: After the 6 month review of utilization and revenues with the new rate schedule, We are adjusting the annual cap to account for additional users per project as: $15k annual cap for first researcher on the project $7,500 for second additional […]


JEM-2800 S/TEM Training

August 11, 2014

In preparation for training to use the JEM-2800 S/TEM which will become available to us in the first week of September, we are recommending training as follows: August TEM basic short courses on the JEM-1400 with Dr. David Belnap (HSC EM Core): (this is the same UI and same sample handling as the JEM-2800) Session […]


Arrival of the JEM-2800 Hi-res Analytical S/TEM with Fast EDS

July 17, 2014

Dear S/TEM enthusiasts! The high resolution JEOL 2800 S/TEM with ultrafast EDS (twin high count detectors) has arrived! This first-of-its kind in the Americas instrument is being assembled on site and is expected to be functional the first week of September. Monitor progress at the Surface Analysis Lab (SMBB room 2149).  We at the Nanofab […]


Billing System Changes Informational Sessions

June 26, 2014

Just a reminder about the information session regarding the new billing system going into effect July 1.  Friday June 27, 10 am, SMBB Auditorium 2650 -or- Monday June 30, 3pm, SMBB Auditorium 2650 Some highlights: For the Surface Lab Lower rates on many tools in the surface lab Introductory rate of $80/hr on the S/TEM […]


Denton E-Beam and Sputter Move Completion ETA June 19th

June 13, 2014

Dentons Installation Update: Both systems are in place in the Thin Films Deposition Bay F in SMBB. We have been doing a significant amount of decontamination and cleaning in an effort to NOT introduce any oil or hydrocarbons into the SMBB nanofab. We have also tried to address the cryo pump long-term maintenance during this downtime, […]


Denton E-Beam and Sputterer Scheduled to Move June 2nd

May 30, 2014

We anticipate having utility connections prepared in SMBB for the Denton E-beam and Denton Discovery 18 sputter by June 2, 2014. And on June 2nd will need to shutdown these 2 systems for the move and install in SMBB. We are planning 2 weeks or less for downtime to move,  install and qualify. Note: We […]


Surface Analysis Lab Signups

February 18, 2014

For those of you who are signed up for the Surface Science and Analysis class (CHEM 7780, ECE 7960, MET E 7910), you can sign up for your lab sessions online here: Signups Closed Don’t forget to take care of the lab fee of $360 with Amy.


Day-Use Hours Extended

February 7, 2014

We are pleased to announced that, beginning next monday Feb 10, the "day-use" hours for the microscopy facilities will be extended from 8am – 9pm. Heavy use of the XPS and SEM particularly, has motivated us to increase our professional staff coverage into the evening, which will be implemented by the shift tag-teaming of Dr […]


DOE/SPC Lectures Online

January 9, 2014

We have now posted the videos from the SPC-DOE short course lectures.  You can find them at the lectures page.


SEM Short Course 2013

November 8, 2013

We are pleased to offer the popular 3-week hands-on short course, Scanning Electron Microscopy: Lectures: When: Tuesdays Dec 3, 10, 17 Time: 11am – noon Where: SMBB Sorenson USTAR building, second floor (large conference room or auditorium, depending on attendance) Lab: sessions each week to be scheduled when the student roster is established Cost: $120. […]


Newsletter for Fall 2013 Published

October 14, 2013

Today, we sent out the Fall 2013 edition of our quarterly newsletter.  You may view that newsletter and our previous newsletters by browsing through the news items in the newsletter archive.


DOE/SPC class opened up to all Nanofab Labmembers

October 11, 2013

Dear Lab Members, When Intel came to us recruiting in late September, they were very impressed with our new cleanroom and microscopy facilities and asked that we prepare our students better to enter the tech manufacturing workforce by teaching our students the tools of everyday engineering: statistical experimental design, or in the jargon "Design of […]


USTAR Cleanroom Mini Opening

September 12, 2013

The Utah Nanofab Cleanroom is open for research! For access, you need to complete BOTH specific training on the new photolithography tools with Brian Baker, and walk-through safety training with Tony Olsen (see links in the news item below). This is not to be confused with the GRAND opening, which will occur when we finish […]


Sign Up For Safety Training

September 3, 2013

Tony Olsen will be leading safety training sessions to introduce participants to the new protocols and safety issues in our cleanroom in SMBB.  Any lab members who need access to the cleanroom will be required to attend a safety training session first.  Please visit the safety training registration page to find a time slot that […]


Tool Moves for August 22, 2013

August 19, 2013

Update for Group 1 of Tool Move: Tool Name Date to be disconnected Date to be operational* EV 420 Aligner 08/22/13 09/12/13 EVG 520 IS Wafer Bonder 08/22/13 09/12/13 Heidelberg MicroPG 101 Mask Writer 09/03/13 09/12/13 Laser Mark 4000 Nd-YAG 08/22/13 09/05/13 Optec Micromaster KrF 08/22/13 09/05/13 Strasbaugh 6EC CMP 08/22/13 09/05/13 * Subject to […]


Tools Are Moving to SMBB

July 17, 2013

Tools are moving from MEB to SMBB in phases. Items and timing described at the equipment move plan page.  The dicing saws and CMP will be among the first to move.


Newsletter for Summer 2013 Published

July 9, 2013

Today, we sent out the Summer 2013 edition of our quarterly newsletter.  Get an update on all of our ongoing projects and acquisitions by browsing through the news items in the archive.  If you are not on our mailing list, please sign up so we can keep you posted.