About Nanomanufacturing
The Center is a collaboration of faculty from a wide range of disciplines, including Engineering, Science, Health, Management, and Humanities, working on the research, industrial partnerships, and workforce development required for manufacturing of new products. Funding for the Center is provided through:
- NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center – The Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing
- Nanomanufacturing Center of Excellence
- Governmental
- Industry funding
NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center - the Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing
The University of Massachusetts Lowell, in collaboration with Northeastern University and the University of New Hampshire, form the NSF-funded Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN). This NSEC has leveraged the expertise of the three partners to research and develop robust, high-rate, environmental benign nanomanufacturing techniques, thereby ensuring rapid transfer of nanotechnology discoveries to industry.
UMass Lowell Nanomanufacturing Center of Excellence (NCOE)
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (through the John Adams Innovation Institute) provided additional support to create a Center of Excellence in Nanomanufacturing. This funding specifically targeted support for new business formation, job growth, and acceleration commercialization.
Polymer-based Nanomanufacturing
A major research focus is the nanomanufacturing of polymeric materials. Recognized internationally for its plastics engineering program UMass Lowell has extended its research to include:
- Synthesis of novel polymeric materials
- Manufacturing of nanocomposites
- Coextrusion of nanolayered films
- Electrospinning
- Molding and imprinting of micro and nanostructured surfaces
Environmental Impact of Nanomanufacturing
UMass Lowell has a unique Department of Work Environment and is home to the state-funded Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), both of which focus on worker health and safety, as well the environmental impacts of manufacturing. This work has been expanded to include:
- Monitoring of airborne nanoparticle exposures
- Rapid toxicity screening of nanomaterials
- Impacts of nanoparticles in wastewater treatment
Applications of Nanomanufacturing
Our nanomanufacturing techniques are being applied to the production of new products in:
- Flexible electronics
- Sensors
- Structures
- Energy
- Nanomedicine