The Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster, an Arizona not-for-profit organization, was formed in January 2003 to share and promote technological advances in the fast-growing field of Nanotechnology. Our membership includes an active group of interested engineers (electrical, mechanical and chemical), scientists (medical and materials) and businesspeople from both industry and academia.

Nanotechnology: the Science of the Small In general terms, Nanotechnology involves research and development of extremely small components and structures, and transcends many disciplines. Semiconductor firms, for example, have process geometries approaching 65 nanometers and require intense research and development to produce high quality integrated circuits at those extremely small dimensions. Each reduction in semiconductor process size requires extensive re-tooling to produce circuits with reliable yields. Arizona has an enviable roster of world-class university programs, including those at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, and industrial organizations, including Intel, Motorola, Microchip, Texas Instruments, ST Micro and others, that are working to move this high-growth field forward. In GFY03, the US Federal Government appropriated $850 million for support of specific research efforts, and further investment is anticipated. Arizona actively promotes its capabilities at the Federal level to obtain its share of this funding.

The Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster, an Arizona not-for-profit organization, was formed in January 2003 to share and promote technological advances in the fast-growing field of Nanotechnology. Our membership includes an active group of interested engineers (electrical, mechanical and chemical), scientists (medical and materials) and businesspeople from both industry and academia.

Arizona is Rich in Resources
Arizona’s strength in semiconductors powerfully positions the state for research and development in nanoelectronics and photonics. Arizona is first in shipments of silicon, and the Grand Canyon State is third in the number of semiconductor engineers and scientists. Among the Arizona corporations that incorporate nanoelectronics are Intel, Motorola, Raytheon, STMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments. Materials and Electrochemical Research Corporation is devoted to high technology materials and electrochemical research and development with emphasis on advanced composites, coatings and fullerenes/nanotubes and near net shape metals/alloys as well as energy conversion systems that include batteries, fuel cells, and gas storage. Fullerene International Corporation combines the capabilities of partners (Mitsubishi Corporation, Materials and Electrochemical Research Corporation, and Research Corporation Technologies) in a joint venture to commercialize fullerene materials.

The State’s Universities are Our Partners
Arizona’s research universities are also key contributors to the Nanotechnology Cluster. Arizona State University’s Nanostructures Research Group and three departments within the newly established Biodesign Institute and the University of Arizona’s Advanced Microsystems Laboratory and Microelectronics Design and Test Laboratory are among the state’s world class research institutions with focus in nanoelectronics and photonics.

The University of Arizona Biomedical Engineering Program conducts innovative research in bio-nanotechnology, protein nano-arrays, bio-micro-electromechanical systems, and microsensors. Supported by Arizona’s Technology & Research Initiative Funding, UA’s Optical Sciences Center conducts research in nano-biotechnology, photonic crystals, nano-imaging, and nano-scale data storage. Biotechnology Imaging Facilities (University of Arizona, Arizona Research Laboratories, Division of Biotechnology) provides investigators (from the University, state agencies, and the private sector) access to key high quality, cost effective, state-of-the-art imaging technologies. The University of Arizona Micro/Nano Fabrication Center is a superb resource not only for University research but also for assisting companies with services and research.

Beyond the formal degree program, the Karl Eller Center at the University of Arizona has launched discipline-specific entrepreneurship education courses in traditional and non-traditional colleges and departments, including Entrepreneurship for Engineers, serving the College of Engineering and Nanotechnology Program. Through a $1 million grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation, the University of Arizona’s College of Science is developing a Center for Nanotechnology with the explicit aim of creating better collaborations with the Optical Sciences Center and the departments of Physics and Chemistry.

Ridgetop, Axon, and MER are examples of the many nanoelectronics startups spun out of Arizona’s technology transfer endeavors. In addition, Tailored Materials Corporation Inc. is an emerging manufacturer of ultra-pure, carbon Double-Wall Nanotubes (DWNT) for Field Emission Displays and other devices, and ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc. is a pioneer in the medical applications of nanotechnology, including localized, site-specific, NanoInvasive™ medicine.

The mission of the Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster is to: 
      Bring together nanotechnology, semiconductor and microelectronics industry personnel and researchers from across Arizona. 
      
      Educate the public about nanotechnology and related issues. Help create a setting for a greater number of high-wage jobs. 
      
      Create a “voice” for the Nanotechnology Industry at local, state, and national levels, and take a seat at the table. 
      
      Engage in proactive efforts to locate federal nanotechnology laboratories and infrastructure support in Arizona.

Meetings
Monthly meetings of the Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster include informative talks and lively networking opportunities.  These talks are held on the third Wednesday of the month in Tucson at the University of Arizona, and the fourth Thursday of the month in Phoenix at Arizona State University.

Our Cluster's announcement-only email list carries advance notices of all of our meetings and selected other local events of interest to our members. Anyone may subscribe to this email list or browse its archives, and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. (To keep email traffic low and on-topic, only a few board members have posting and moderation authority.)