The RAIN network has experienced a lot of growth in the last few years. With approximately 28 listed partners, a RAIN node can be found in just about every part of the country. From the end of 2015 through the 1st half of 2021, there have been 505 remote sessions serving over 9,300 students. The University of California San Diego, Penn State’s Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge (NACK) Resource Center, the Nanotechnology Collaborative Infrastructure Southwest (NCI-SW) at Arizona State University, and Salt Lake Community College are currently leading with the most remote sessions. Many of the sessions were requested from schools in the USA, however requests have also come in from South America, Europe, and Asia.
RAIN has experienced growth in the types of instruments being offered for remote access, as well. In addition to the assortment of microscopes (Optical, AFM, SEM, and Confocal), the network currently contains an Electron Probe Microanalyzer, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Profilometers, Ultraviolet-visible Spectrophotometers, a Molecular Analyzer, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, an Electron Beam Lithography tool, Electron Beam Deposition, Reactive Ion Etching tools, a Focused Ion Beam, and a Rough Vacuum Equipment Trainer. Not all of these tools are appropriate for all classrooms, but our partners love discussing how they can be introduced and incorporated into individual lesson plans. Additionally, numerous lab guides have been added to the RAIN library to help with ideas and activities. If you haven’t checked out the recent additions, please visit www.nano4me.org/remoteaccess to see how we can help you introduce nanotechnology to your classroom.
