Thanks to a 3-year NSF-ATE grant, Utah Valley University has been developing course material, laboratories and virtual reality modules that simulate equipment used in nanotechnology fabrication and characterization processes. A key product of this project is the first nanotechnology course offered at UVU, which will happen during the 2019-2020 academic year. UVU is pleased to partner with the RAIN network to make instrumentation – such as our Tescan Vega-3 electron microscope – accessible to the nanotechnology education community.
A novel feature of this project has been the development of virtual reality training modules that simulate our nanotechnology processes and equipment with high fidelity. Students learn the elements of safely operating the electron microscope, sputter coating unit, and photolithography process by completing tasks in VR modules, before they complete laboratory exercises. The end results are greater confidence in proper use of the equipment, and greater efficiency and safety during laboratory periods.
UVU serves as a dual role integrated university and community college for our service area. Our region of Utah has several significant hi-tech companies – such as the IM Flash memory chip fabrication facility in Lehi, UT, with $600 million annual revenue and 1,450 employees – that have urgent needs for technicians trained in the basic processes of nanotechnology. The professional development trainings, educational resources and networking opportunities accessible to UVU through our collaboration with NACK have been invaluable in establishing our own nanotechnology training program.
