University of Cincinnati’s (UC) Micro and Nano Manufacturing Laboratory Director, Murali Sundaram is exploring the possibility of creating a cost -effective nano manufacturing facility where various small scale processes for machine substances can be carried out without requiring a highly clean laboratory environment.
Dr Murali Sundaram
Nano scale and micro scale manufacturing can be effectively used in applications such as coatings, measurement, micro electronics, biomedical, paintings and automotive industries.
The scientists’ goal is to not only use processes at these scales but also to use them on a wide range of materials. Traditionally silicon’s properties have been widely known as it is used in a majority of micro- electronic devices. However, some devices require other materials than silicon. The professor is currently investigating various alternative processes for different materials. One challenge in this phase is that materials do not behave in the same manner at a nanoscale since their properties change at that level. According to the professor, finding out the difference between the properties of the material in the normal scale and nano scale, analysing the cause of the difference and exploring methods to use the difference for the purpose of manufacturing is the key to the success of setting up such a facility.
Environmental concerns too are raised since the manufacture of toxic nano particles at a small scale, lead to environmental hazards. The professor is working towards developing technology for green manufacturing with Sagil James who is a doctoral candidate.