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NSF grant supports nanofabrication workforce training

Nathan Kahl — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 22:43:45 +0000

NSF grant supports nanofabrication workforce training Nathan Kahl Sat, 09/13/2025 - 18:43

�鶹��Ƶ faculty members received nearly $1 million in a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a program providing hands-on nanofabrication training and education to people seeking a career change.

The funding comes under NSF’s ExLENT Pivots track and will serve the national interest by expanding experiential learning pathways in emerging hardware technologies driven by nanofabrication. It focuses on increasing workforce opportunities in Northern Virginia, a region positioned for growth in emerging technology sectors, such as artificial intelligence hardware, quantum information science, data center engineering, and sustainable manufacturing.

Ahn's research focus is nanofabrication. Photo by Office of University Branding

“The most important term is ‘experiential,' and it’s rare for NSF to provide this kind of funding," said Ethan Ahn, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a founding director of �鶹��Ƶ Nanoelectronics Laboratory, who is the lead principal investigator (PI) on the project. "The idea here is to produce this workforce for very high tech-focused areas by applying the learning-by-doing model.”

George �鶹��Ƶ is already known as one of the commonwealth's largest producers of tech talent.

The program provides an opportunity for working professionals who are looking to change careers; even those with no STEM background are encouraged to apply, as suggested by the “pivot” track from NSF.

“We’ll take people regardless of their background, education, or readiness," said Ahn. "We’ll provide everything they need to be job-ready by training participants with both lab and soft skills, providing connections with industry, and, if hired, paying them during their summer employment."

Co-PI Jessica Rosenberg, professor of physics and director of education at George �鶹��Ƶ’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center, said, “Nanofabrication is important for a range of high-tech industries, including semiconductors, biomedical, and energy. We’re creating a program to provide the support, education, and training needed for individuals to get a job in this growing sector. It will help them meet their goals while also supporting a regional talent pipeline.”

The program will run for three years, with approximately 20 participants every year. A key component of the initial phase of the program is access to a mobile app used for virtual training. The team is developing the app because they recognize that participants may have existing responsibilities that make coming to campus a challenge. After participants complete this first phase on their own schedule, they will then go to campus to participate in a research lab for the hands-on portions of the program.

Jessica Rosenberg is director of education at George �鶹��Ƶ's Quantum Science and Engineering Center. Photo by Office of University Branding

Ahn said a particularly interesting element of the program is a guaranteed interview in the industry. They are already working with BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman and expect this number of companies participating to grow through a collaboration with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. "The hope is that the participants will be able to turn the opportunity into a full-time position,” he said.

George �鶹��Ƶ will give program participants microcredentials, competency-based qualifications indicating a mastery of a subject, as they complete each phase of the program. This opportunity’s timing is ideal for Virginians looking to make a career change and supports the university’s efforts in building Virginia’s high-tech workforce.

Ahn was inspired to apply for the funding in part by the fact that the new Innovation District, led jointly by �鶹��Ƶ, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas, and anchored by George �鶹��Ƶ’s Science and Technology Campus, co-locates the university with industry and government to create a dynamic collaboration model.

“Relationships between university and industry are common, but this also includes government,” said Ahn. “We already have this established network via the Innovation District and in my proposal I said we are going to focus on nanofabrication, which is my area of expertise. I think those things made it appealing to NSF.”

Jill Nelson, professor and associate dean for undergraduate programs, and Nathalia Peixoto, associate professor, both in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, are also PI's on the grant.

The program will welcome its first cohort in spring 2026.

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George �鶹��Ƶ expands access to VAST semiconductor certificate program

ckearney — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:36:38 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ expands access to VAST semiconductor certificate program ckearney Tue, 08/26/2025 - 19:36

�鶹��Ƶ’s state-of-the-art Nanofabrication Facility cleanroom on the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia is set to transform workforce preparation in one of the nation’s most critical technology sectors. Beginning fall 2025, the facility’s class 1000 cleanroom will host the Semiconductor Chip Fabrication and Nano-Characterization certificate program through the Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology (VAST), a statewide consortium advancing microelectronics and nanotechnology training and research where George �鶹��Ƶ serves as a founding member.

George �鶹��Ƶ's Nanofabrication Facility. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The 10-week program provides intensive, hands-on training in cleanroom safety, lithography, vacuum system operation, and semiconductor characterization. Backed by IEEE microcredentials, it is designed for career changers, recent graduates, military veterans, and working professionals entering one of the country’s fastest growing industries.

“George �鶹��Ƶ is committed to strengthening Virginia’s workforce pipeline for critical industries,” said Amy Adams, executive director of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation. “This certificate program in the university’s only cleanroom in Northern Virginia builds a highly skilled workforce ready to drive semiconductor innovation and meet the needs of companies and defense contractors across the region.

The program’s expansion at George �鶹��Ƶ addresses the rise in military-affiliated participants, which have more than doubled statewide, highlighting growing awareness of semiconductor careers as a strong fit for technical expertise and security clearance advantages. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of Virginia’s best colleges for veterans, and as Virginia’s largest public research university, George �鶹��Ƶ is a natural fit for this effort.

By delivering advanced, industry-aligned training, George �鶹��Ƶ is putting the mission of Northern Virginia's first Innovation District into action. The 3,800-acre hub in Prince William County and the City of Manassas—anchored by George �鶹��Ƶ and supported by a $2.6 million in state funding through GO Virginia—integrates education, research, and industry to drive growth in high-tech industries and attract global employers to the region.

With Virginia being a top state for business according to CNBC, and Northern Virginia being home to 75% of Virginia’s semiconductor companies, as well as major defense and technology contractors, George �鶹��Ƶ’s investments in innovation, research partnerships, and workforce development position the region to meet evolving demands in advanced technology fields.

The certificate program is part of VAST's Fast Track to Semiconductor Careers initiative, now offered at seven Virginia universities, including George �鶹��Ƶ, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Tech (Blacksburg and Arlington), Virginia Military Institute, and Norfolk State University

For more information or to register for the certificate program, please visit the Chip Fabrication and Nano Characterization Certificate Program site.

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�鶹��Ƶ is keeping it "nanofab-ulous" as nanotechnology efforts expand

Katarina Benson — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:48:44 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ is keeping it "nanofab-ulous" as nanotechnology efforts expand Katarina Benson Wed, 02/26/2025 - 10:48

Ever since InsideNoVa’s Bruce Potter coined the term “nanofab-ulous” to describe the exciting advancements in nanotechnology in the region, �鶹��Ƶ has embraced it in full force.

A student enjoys the exhibits at Nanotechnology Day on the Science and Technology Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Eleanor Wagoner, one of the brains behind Nanotechnology Day and Nano Boot Camp, finds the phrase is a new part of her regular vernacular. The school is certainly living up to that name, broadening its efforts to educate and inspire future leaders in the field that’s revolutionizing how we live and work.

George �鶹��Ƶ provides students, faculty, and the community with real-world experiences that bring academic knowledge to life. These programs create pathways to careers in high-demand sectors like health care and microelectronics while making nanoscience more relatable to the public.

The second Nanotechnology Day was held in October 2024 on the university’s Science and Technology Campus. Participants in Katherine Johnson Hall immediately found themselves surrounded by interactive stations and engaging lectures presented by career scientists. Wagoner said that she couldn't have imagined a better turnout.

"Witnessing people become genuinely excited about nanotechnology was my biggest motivation for creating this event," said Wagoner, the STEM outreach coordinator for the Institute for Biohealth Innovation (IBI) at George �鶹��Ƶ. "It’s the type of event that causes people to realize that they're more than capable of grasping a topic that's often seen as highly complex."

Nano Boot Camp, launched in January 2025, is for those who want to get up close and personal with nanofabrication. The program does not rely solely on classroom lectures: Participants jump right into the clean room in the university’s Nanofabrication Facility to test their new skills.

From left, Nanofabrication Facility manager Shawn Wagoner with Nano Boot Camp participants William West and Hongmei Jian Roy. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Camp participant Bryson Higginbotham said he was happy to have discovered a program that recognizes that not everyone has the same learning style.

"Nano Boot Camp was really refreshing as someone who is a hands-on learner," said Higginbotham, a security officer at George �鶹��Ƶ’s Biomedical Research Laboratory. "I’m looking for a lifelong career, and when the executive director of the IBI, Amy Adams, offered me a spot in the program, I jumped at the chance to work with the machines and get a taste of what it’s like to be a professional in the field." GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of high-wage jobs in strategic industries, provided the funding that made Nano Boot Camp possible through the Nano-IMAGINE program. During her visit to the camp, GO Virginia Region 7 Vice President Susan Baker had the chance to meet participants, hear their stories, and learn about the hands-on training taking place.

“It was incredible to meet participants from so many different walks of life—veterans, career changers, and young professionals—all learning advanced nanotechnology skills,” said Baker. “This program shows how investing in education and workforce development doesn’t just change individual lives—it elevates the entire community.”

The university’s commitment to nanotechnology education is arriving at just the right time: Micron Technology, one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers, recently announced plans to invest up to $2.17 billion to bolster its operations in Manassas, Virginia, bringing up to 2,700 manufacturing and community jobs. The United States and Micron need a workforce trained for jobs in the semiconductor industry at scale. This will require workforce development solutions and access to STEM education that will create a highly skilled talent pipeline.

"�鶹��Ƶ is developing the skilled professionals the semiconductor industry needs," said Delbert Parks, vice president and site executive of Micron Technology Virginia. "Programs like their Nano Boot Camp foster innovation and inspire students to pursue careers in STEM, forming a direct pipeline of talent that helps keep our industry strong."

Delegate Michelle Maldonado, who represents Virginia’s 20th District and is a GO Virginia state board member, has worked to bring funding to workforce programs in Prince William County. She’s proud of George �鶹��Ƶ’s dedication to high-tech education and views it as an important contributor to the local economy.

“�鶹��Ƶ’s focus on emerging technologies is helping build a competent and qualified workforce,” said Maldonado. “Giving individuals the right skills is vital to keeping Virginia competitive in today’s fast-paced tech environment."

George �鶹��Ƶ is proving that diving into the nanoscale world doesn’t have to be intimidating. From inspiring curiosity to supporting people who are exploring new career paths, the university is making it more accessible than ever. And while the science may be small, its impact is anything but.

Visit George �鶹��Ƶ's Nanofabrication Lab

Small prints with big impact

Nathan Kahl — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:33:41 +0000

Small prints with big impact Nathan Kahl Mon, 02/03/2025 - 10:33

Lithography, a printmaking technique using a plate or other hard, smooth surface to transfer ink onto a medium such as paper, was invented in the late 18th century by German playwright Alois Senefelde. It is used to create a myriad of products, many sitting around your home and office.

But what if you needed to create something really small using lithographic techniques, even as small as the nanometer level, which is one billionth of a meter?

Ethan Ahn, an associate professor of electrical engineering at �鶹��Ƶ, is doing research using a new technique called electron-beam lithography (EBL), which scans a focused beam of electrons to draw shapes. In fact, as the only skilled practitioner at Northern Virginia’s only EBL facility—in the university’s Nanofabrication Facility on the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas—he’s an evangelist for the technique, eager to get students and other faculty members trained on the technology.

The university logo created with EBL. This image is blown up 17,000 times its actual size. The lines forming the logo are 250 nanometers wide, or 250 billionths of a meter.

“This equipment is infamous for its sensitivity,” he said. “It’s a hard tool to use and it takes a lot of practice, a lot of training, and a lot of knowledge. So, this is not something that’s easily accessible to everyone.”

In fact, before Ahn’s arrival in 2023, students and faculty who wanted to work on EBL had to go to the National Institute of Standards and Technology campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland, more than an hour away from SciTech. Ahn is eager to train students and others to use the EBL technology, envisioning allowing time for researchers both within and outside of George �鶹��Ƶ to tinker with the tiny-making toy.

“We will be able to get grants and funding that we wouldn't without this technology, absolutely,” said Ahn, about the possibilities EBL opens up. “And there’s an implication for myself, for example, because I'm working on nano electronics, and this will let us make nanoscale logic devices, nanoscale memory devices, and more.”

Ahn with the EBL machine. Photo provided.

Ahn pointed to the microchip industry as a place where lithographic patterning is used extensively. Holding one up he said, “One small chip is as small as my thumb. But if you zoom in to see what is in there until you see individual devices and components, you’ll see billions of transistors there. That’s what I do for my research, making such devices using EBL, with transistors that are faster, more energy efficient, more reliable, and more secure.”

And students coming through Ahn’s EBL boot camp may find a future that is more secure, as they will be more marketable upon graduation, particularly in the high-tech hub that is the Washington, D.C., area.

Funding to support the EBL capability came from the GO Virginia Nano-IMAGINE program.

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Ethan Ahn

Take a closer look at George �鶹��Ƶ's Nanoelectronics Lab

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Nanofabrication Lab opens on SciTech Campus

Martha Bushong — Fri, 17 May 2024 17:15:09 +0000

Nanofabrication Lab opens on SciTech Campus Martha Bushong Fri, 05/17/2024 - 13:15

Read More �鶹��Ƶ the Ribbon Cutting

�鶹��Ƶ officials, faculty, regional economic leaders, government, and business partners gathered at SciTech Campus on May 3, 2024, to cut the ribbon on the new $3.75 million Nanofabrication Facility (NFF).

Vice President for Research Innovation and Economic Impact Andre Marshall welcomed guests. President Gregory Washington and other special guests followed. After the ribbon cutting, attendees enjoyed a first-hand look at the new state-of-the-art space.

The NFF is the only cleanroom facility and resource for partners in Northern Virginia. It offers hands-on nanofabrication workforce training in research applications that will accelerate the growth of high-tech companies.

Tannia Telento, regional director for U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s office offered remarks from the senator. In the remarks, Senator Warner said, “The Nanofabrication Facility will play an important role in education and research, which is integral to securing the supply chain, bringing greater transparency to the microelectronics ecosystem, training tomorrow's leaders, and ensuring our long-term national security. I am excited to see the advancements that will come from the establishment of this facility right here in Virginia. The (NFF) will serve as a core laboratory for innovative research and development on the micro- and nano-scale.

Faculty from the College of Engineering and Computing and the College of Science have already taught classes in the facility, this summer the facility will host camps, and in the fall workforce training will begin.

�鶹��Ƶ President Gregory Washington and Shawn Wagoner, the Nanofabrication Faciilty's lab manager cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the facility. Photo by Creative Services.

Tannia Telento, regional director for U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s office, shakes hands with President Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Vice President Andre Marshall (on right) and Danny Vargas of GO Virginia stand outside the clean room. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Lab Manager Shawn Wagoner explains the equipment to a group of attendees during the facility tour. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

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