Tiny, but mighty—just like the nanotechnologies they enable—the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility (CNF) celebrated National Nanotechnology Day with a big impact. The event in the Duffield Atrium attracted over 500 attendees and brought science down to size, offering hands-on activities and live virtual tours that showcased the world of the very, very small.

Attendees were invited to explore a range of technologies, from operating a portable scanning electron microscope to observing the action of nanorobots, giving them a firsthand glimpse into the vast potential of nanoscale science. Participants also had the chance to don cleanroom suits for a “selfie station,” create their own ultraviolet light detector, and experiment with vacuum marshmallows.

"Our NanoDay celebration is all about making the complex world of nanotechnology accessible and exciting for everyone," said Tom Pennell, education and outreach coordinator and a process integration specialist at CNF.  

"These activities not only showcase the research happening at CNF and across the Cornell University campus, but also aim to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.” 

Several core facilities from across Cornell’s campus, including CHESS, CCMR, and the Biotechnology Resource Center, along with various research groups, participated in engaging the public. Educational collaborators from Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3), Tompkins Seneca Tioga (TST) BOCES, and Onondaga Cortland Madison (OCM) BOCES were on hand to inform visiting parents about available educational pathways, including CNF and TC3’s workforce development training program, which is free to veterans and their dependents. Industry representation included Menlo Micro, which is setting up operations in Ithaca and showcased their novel technology while illustrating local career opportunities in the expanding Central New York industry.

To commemorate the event, Tompkins County Poet Laureate Janie Bibbie crafted and recited a poem highlighting the dichotomy of the tiny world of nanotechnology and its massive impact on society.

A central theme of CNF NanoDay was the growing significance of semiconductors—the tiny devices at the heart of modern technology that power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. These microchips, essential for rapid data processing and storage, are the backbone of countless everyday technologies and future innovations. As demand for these technologies grows, so does the need for a skilled workforce and greater awareness of semiconductor manufacturing and research.

NanoDay participants explored semiconductor properties through hands-on demonstrations of device fabrication techniques. One demonstration allowed visitors to create their own design and experience the magic of photolithography—one of the core principles of micro and nanoscale device fabrication.

CNF equips researchers with the tools and expertise to push the boundaries of semiconductor fabrication and other fields. Its open-access model enables students and researchers to gain hands-on experience with advanced techniques required by the industry, positioning them to take on critical roles at places like Micron’s upcoming facility in New York State.

According to Pennell, outreach events like NanoDay and virtual tours, paired with a focus on workforce development, are central to CNF’s mission. CNF partners across the educational spectrum, from local high schools to community colleges like TC3. In 2024 alone, the facility's outreach has reached over 7,000 individuals of all ages, providing pathways to careers in nanotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing. These efforts include high school programs that involve deconstructing and reassembling complex machinery, as well as cleanroom training that grants participants unprecedented access to advanced research environments.

“Workforce development is a continuum,” says Pennell. “The semiconductor industry is often referred to as ‘the hidden industry.’ We need to engage all age groups if we’re going to meet the workforce demands of this rapidly expanding field.”

As the semiconductor industry continues to grow, CNF’s focus on education and workforce development has never been more crucial. By bridging the gap between academia, industry, and the general public, CNF is helping to ensure that New York State—and the broader U.S. economy—remain leaders in this essential field.