Nanofabrication Manuf Tech - Science Track
Associate of Applied Science (Two year program)
The Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology degree program offers students the opportunity to enter the world of Nanotechnology. The prefix Nano in the words Nanofabrication and Nanotechnology comes from the word nanometer (nm), the term for one billionth of a meter. These words refer to making and using 'things' of this nanometer size range. Nanofabrication and nanotechnology are engineering at the atomic length scale - a size range which until recently was only available to nature. Ability to engineer such small things opens the door to a multitude of new opportunities. These include making extremely fine diameter but incredibly strong fibers atom by atom, making extremely small probes that can look at individual strands of DNA for uses such as disease detection, and making man-made capillary systems to bring nutrients to man-created replacement organs.
The first phase of this program requires students complete three semesters at LCCC with at least 3.0 GPA. After completing the three semesters of study, the student will spend one semester at Pennsylvania State University's Nanofabrication Facility at University Park. At University Park the student will earn 18 LCCC credits taught by the Nanofabrication Facility staff. After successful completion the student will be eligible for the NMT degree (awarded by LCCC).
Graduates can expect to find employment as a lab technician in industries that require specialized training in the intricacies of nanofabrication techniques and ultra clean room procedures. Industries requiring this specialized knowledge include biotechnology facilities, research laboratories, biomedical facilities, pharmaceuticals, and university and government nanofabrication laboratories.
Note: Admission into NMT courses at Penn State is at the discretion of Penn State's Nanofabrication Facility and cannot be guaranteed by LCCC.
See also: Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology - Electronics Track.
This program provides the student the opportunity to:
- understand the differences in physical processes between the macro level and the nano level
- apply skills using laboratory tools and instrumentation commonly used in Nanotechnology
The graduate of this program is able to:
- use photolithographic techniques in order to modify materials at the nano level
- present the outcomes of a professional project using appropriate technology
- use tools to change surface characteristics of substrates
- use instruments to access substrate surface characteristics
