MRI

2DCC CHet system enables synthesis of 2D metals, alloys, and functionalized graphene

Confinement heteroepitaxy (CHet) is an emerging approach for stabilizing atomically thin metals and alloys that normally prefer to form 3D structures by confining their growth at interfaces such as graphene. This enables access to truly two-dimensional metallic phases with unusual electronic and optical properties. This opens new directions in quantum materials and nanoscale device engineering.

Ryan Hawks joins the Nanofab technical staff team as a research engineer.

We're excited to announce that the ClassOne Solstice electroplating and wet processing system is currently undergoing factory acceptance testing and is on track to ship in May 2026.

The tool will be temporarily installed in the Nanofab in June 2026, with copper electroplating capability available to users right away. Once the cleanroom expansion is complete in late 2026 or early 2027, the Solstice will move to its permanent home with its full suite of capabilities online.

MCL hosted a Town Hall on Tuesday, May 12, which focused on engaging with the lab in the early stages of research. Working together early fosters better culture, outcomes, training, and data.

Highlighted during the session:

With LEO, staff can qualify users individually or in batches once they have successfully completed the required instrument training. A simple one‑click promotion or demotion allows staff to toggle a user between limited and full qualifications—making the management of user capability fast, transparent, and consistent. 

2DCC Inert Atmosphere Cluster Tool Enables Air-Sensitive Materials Research

Deep Jariwala, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is leveraging the capabilities of the NSF-funded 2D Crystal Consortium–Materials Innovation Platform (2DCC-MIP) at Penn State to explore excitonic phenomena in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Since beginning his collaboration with the 2DCC in 2020, Jariwala’s group has utilized high-quality 2DCC-grown materials to study layered heterostructures, leading to multiple publications and the training of students and postdoctoral researchers.

A Materials Visualization Competition Winner

The Materials Visualization Competition (MVC) is a competition that increases awareness of materials science through the creativity and visualization of our researchers. One of this year's winners imaged this pattern in the nanofabrication lab.

These short, intensive training modules are designed specifically to equip REU students with practical skills and foundational knowledge in core materials characterization techniques. Each course combines conceptual instruction with hands-on instrument experience, preparing students to design experiments, collect high-quality data, and interpret results relevant to their summer research projects.

MAY 28-29, 2026
X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Training: Build a foundation in crystallography and powder diffraction analysis

LEO’s tool qualification feature ensures that only properly trained and safety-certified users can operate instruments autonomously. Staff can quickly qualify users—individually or in batches—and switch them between limited and full access with a single click.