RTNN Celebrates 5 Years Supporting Nano with a Successful Renewal

We recently marked 5 years of programming focused on raising awareness of nanotechnology and the core facilities that support innovative nanoscience research. While celebrating these efforts, we learned that the RTNN is one of sixteen sites nationwide renewed for an additional five years of funding. NSF will invest a total of $84 million in the renewal of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI). NSF established NNCI in 2015 with an $81 million investment.

More information about the award can be found on the NSF Award Website. News articles from the NSF, UNC, Duke, and NC State highlight the impact and success of the RTNN and broader NNCI.

Plenty of Beauty at the Bottom 2020 Image Contest

In honor of National Nanotechnology Day, the RTNN and NNCI are supporting the second annual “Plenty of Beauty at the Bottom” image contest. Do you have an image that you think could win most stunning, most unique, or most whimsical? If so, learn more and submit your image at the Image Contest Website. The deadline for image submission has been extended to September 18, 2020. Check out last year’s winners here.

Abby Carbone Inspires the Next Generation of Nanotechnologists

Former RTNN Student Ambassador and NC State alumna Abby Carbone, recently joined the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) on the “Stories from the NNI” podcast to discuss her passion for science outreach. “Stories from the NNI” is a podcast where researchers and innovators discuss their work at the nanoscale, the challenges they’ve faced, and how they’ve connected with the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI).

RET Participant Mark McLean Shares His Excitement for Nano-education

Mark McLean took part in the RTNN’s RET program, Atomic Scale Design and Engineering during the summer of 2019. He worked with UNC grad student Jon Meyers in the lab of Professor Jim Cahoon. Over the summer, he learned how to see and use many of the tools that researchers use for nanofabrication and characterization. Education is a second career for McLean, and he recently discussed why he chose to teach with NC State’s College of Education. His enthusiasm for nano-education is contagious. Read more about his experience working and educating in nano here.