The Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization (CNEU) is dedicated to research, development, and education across all aspects of micro- and nanotechnology. CNEU resources are focused on addressing the incorporation of nanotechnology into secondary education, post-secondary education and industry applications.

Our Story

1998 - CNEU created by Penn State

CNEU was created by Penn State University in 1998 to address the needs of Pennsylvania industry for skilled nanofabrication workers. Through the Pennsylvania Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology (NMT) Partnership, a higher education collaborative dedicated to creating and updating a workforce in Pennsylvania trained in nanotechnology, the pioneering work by CNEU has established Pennsylvania as a global leader in nanotechnolgoy education and workforce development.

2008 - NSF ATE NACK Network created

Subsequently in 2008, the National Science Foundation (NSF) created the National Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge (NACK) Network at CNEU to help support, coordinate, and integrate efforts by community and technical colleges to provide associate degree level micro- and nanotechnology education. As a result of NACK’s efforts, education and workforce development programs in micro- and nanotechnology are proliferating across the United States.

2016 - NACK Support Center and NPDP

In 2016, NSF tranformed the NACK Network into the NACK Support Center, to continue the efforts of the micro- and nanotechnology community. NSF further supported CNEU by creating the Nanotechnology Professional Development Partnership (NPDP), as a way to explore alternative means of disseminating workforce development opportunities.

2018 - Partnership in SCENE

As part of continued outreach efforts, CNEU partnered with Norfolk State University and Tidewater Community College to establish the Louis Stokes Regional Center of Excellence (LSRCE) South-eastern Coalition for Engagement and Exchange in Nanotechnology Education (SCENE) in 2018.

2018 - UNESCO Chair

CNEU is also the home to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair “Building Innovation and Manufacturing Capacities through Advanced Technology Education“.

2022 - Testimony before U.S. House of Representative Subcommittee on Research and Technology

In February 2022, Dr. Osama Awadelkarim was asked to testify at the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Research and Technology Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing entitled “Strengthening the U.S. Microelectronics Workforce.”

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Our Administration

Director and UNESCO Chair

Osama Awadelkarim

Dr. Awadelkarim received his B.S. in Physics from the University of Khartoum, Sudan, and his Ph.D. from the J. J. Thomson Physical Laboratory, Reading University, United Kingdom. Prior to joining Penn State in 1992, Dr. Awadelkarim worked as a Research Scientist at Linkoping University and the Swedish Defense Research Establishment. His research interests are in electronic materials, nano/microelectronics, and nano/microelectromechanical systems.

Managing Director

Zachary Gray

Dr. Gray attended the Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Capstone Semester at CNEU while a student at Reading Area Community College in 2007. After graduating there, he worked for Solarity while obtaining his B.S. in Materials Science at Penn State in 2011. He worked for CNEU as a lab manager while completing his Ph.D. in Materials Science at Penn State in 2016. He then went to work for Nanoscience Instruments demonstrating and training others nationwide on the company’s various scientific instrumentation for six years before returning to CNEU as Managing Director in 2022.

Facilities

Our Teaching Cleanroom

Housed within the Earth-Engineering Sciences Building at Penn State, the CNEU teaching cleanroom provides students, workshop participants, and educators the opportunity to learn about and operate (both on-site and remotely) typical cleanroom devices.

What Our Students Say

While finishing the NMT program, I was able to interview with a few companies. The NMT program really helped set me on a path upwards, so I’m grateful for my time there.

Dylan Huska

Spring 2018 NMT alum, Northrop Grumman

The workshop is helpful to train the trainer. It introduces them to the many tools of nanofabrication and characterization, and provides assistance and resources.

Hailemichael Seyoum

Professor, University of District of Columbia