[Dan McCann]

The National Science Foundation has awarded the State University of New York, Binghamton, a $175,000 grant to start an undergraduate course track on a multidisciplinary introduction to microfabrication. In the grant citation, the NSF noted the growing demand for scientists and engineers educated in the field.

“This project introduces microfabrication technology through lectures, demonstrations and even experiments in freshman classes across several disciplines (engineering, chemistry and physics)”, said the NSF. In addition, several junior-level courses will include a microfabrication module in the curriculum.

Seniors will have the option to take a multidisciplinary capstone course that will include an introduction to clean rooms. “This multidisciplinary approach,” said the NSF, demonstrates that microfabrication is based on many disciplines and vital to most modern technologies, including many electrical, mechanical and chemical devices.”