The National Nanofabrication Facility (NNF) at Cornell University is an interdisciplinary center, whose primary role is to provide resources and technical expertise to researchers in microstructure science, particularly in the areas of advanced lithographies, nanostructure physics, scanning tunneling microscopy for fabrication and analysis, optoelectronic and electronic applications, microfabrication applications to biology, and related areas. NNF provides equipment, training , and expertise to leading edge research in a "hands-on" environment where the user is responsible for the conduct of that research. NNF has a program of discrete projects under the supervision of academic mentors at Cornell whose research is associated with the Facility. The proposed period of performance takes particular advantage of ongoing NNF educational activities as well as interaction with other REU programs campus-wide. Ongoing NNF educational activities include general laboratory orientation; wet chemical safety orientation; and "NanoCourses". Several events are planned to encourage interaction with other REU Students on campus, and some NNF participants will work in teams or in collaboration with students in other programs. All students are required to present their project results at a concluding all-campus Forum and to prepare a final report. NNF again is targeting women and minority undergraduates, and schools with small-to-medium-sized programs presumed to have limited laboratory facilities. The program goals are for a total of 12 participants, at least 9 of whom are not regularly enrolled at Cornell, and 6 are women or underrepresented minorities.
