Founded in 2002 on the University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland campus, the Gertrude E. and John M. Petersen Institute of NanoScience and Engineering (PINSE) fosters collaboration and innovation for members of the University community, as well as researchers throughout the region.
To support our mission, PINSE established the Nanoscale Fabrication and Characterization Facility (NFCF) in 2006 through an endowment by Gertrude E. and John M. Petersen. This 8,000 square foot facility serves the nanofabrication and characterization needs of internal and external users by providing state-of-the-art equipment that is core to nanoscience and nanotechnology research.
The NFCF supports the PINSE mission by supporting the needs of PINSE researchers, fostering collaboration among diverse research groups both inside and outside of the University, promoting innovation through interdisciplinary seminars and events, and exposing undergraduate students to nanoscience and nanotechnology. Through collaboration, innovation, and service, PINSE works to foster a highly diverse and interdisciplinary community of researchers around the study of nanoscience.
Location & Hours of Operation
SB 60-63 Benedum Hall, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
NFCF Staff have business hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays. Experienced users have access to the lab 24/7. New users begin with 8 AM -6 PM access on workdays (staff workdays for Pitt) and may expand to 24/7 access based on the extended access hours policy.
Citation Information
Work performed in the University of Pittsburgh Nanofabrication and Characterization Core Facility (RRID:SCR_05124) and services and instruments used in this project were graciously supported, in part, by the University of Pittsburgh.
History
The University of Pittsburgh created the Institute of NanoScience and Engineering in December 2002 under the direction of then-Provost James V. Maher. From the beginning, the mission of the Institute was to coordinate collaboration among faculty from various departments with an interest in nanoscience research, to pursue industrial and commercial relationships, and to foster educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
In February of 2006, the Institute received a $5 million endowment gift from alumnus John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen for the purpose of supporting nanoscale research. On September 29th of the same year the Institute, renamed the Petersen Institute of NanoScience and Engineering (PINSE), completed a $6.1 million renovation in Benedum Hall to include a state-of-the-art Nanoscale Fabrication and Characterization Facility (NFCF). The original facility comprised a 4,000 square foot clean room with class 100, 1000, and 10000 environments, and the facility has expanded to nearly 8,000 square feet since that time.
PINSE advocates for strong relationships with researchers from outside of the University of Pittsburgh, including commercial companies and external academic institutions.
Work by PINSE researchers range of a broad variety of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The facility researchers are pushing the frontiers of fundamental knowledge, as well as developing new solutions and new approaches for scientific and technological challenges.