MRI

We’ve partnered with Fabublox, a design and data management platform for micro- and nanofabrication, to streamline process documentation and enhance knowledge sharing. Developed at MIT, Fabublox now serves 1,500 users at 100 facilities worldwide. Its integrated system lets researchers record multi-step semiconductor processes and manage shared or private repositories using open data standards—advancing consistency and interoperability in research.

Create an account at Fabublox to get started. Nanofab users can get a customized invitation link in the knowledge base.

At a recent meeting, the Penn State Board of Trustees approved an expansion of the Materials Research Institute’s (MRI) Nanofabrication Laboratory in the Millennium Science Complex, for advancing Penn State’s efforts to lead innovation in next-generation electronics and microsystems integration with a goal of speeding their transition from lab to real-world use. The investment comes from a variety of sources, including Penn State central strategic funds, the College of Engineering, and the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research.

Three hands-on and applications-focused 1-credit (7-week) courses available

Introduction to Raman Spectroscopy 
MATSE 597 Class # 28949 Section 007, Topic: Raman Spectroscopy    

Practical Applications of XRD  
MATSE 597 Class # 28673, Section 006, Topic: Powder XRD - Practical Apps. 

Introduction to Scanning Electron Microscopy 
MATSE 597 Class # 28672 Section 005, Topic: Scanning Electron Microscopy

MCL continues to invest in its Sample Preparation Laboratory to ensure state-of-the-art capabilities and reliable service for our research community.

Recent enhancements include:

New Equipment:  Q200A precision saw and vacuum/high-pressure epoxy mounting setups reduce trapped gas.

The Tool Watch feature in LEO allows system users and technical staff to monitor tool availability by toggling a tool watch using eye icons in the Calendar or Tool Control list.  A Blue Eye Icon indicates the Watch is turned on.  A Gray Eye Icon indicates the Watch is turned off.  This feature is especially useful for maximizing tool utilization and responding quickly to last-minute changes.

HOW TO USE TOOL WATCH

2DCC-MIP User Develops 2D Tin Selenide for Energy and Electronic Applications  

The 2DCC-MIP created a web-based tool for data curation, dissemination, and analysis for materials synthesis and characterization, called the Lifetime Sample Tracking (LiST) system.  LiST was implemented in 2018 and is the archive for 18,000+ samples generated in the 2DCC-MIP user facility. Features of the tool’s structured data archive also include dataset DOI generation and integration with instrument DOIs for comprehensive FAIR data in publications with over 35 published datasets in the literature. The LiST system and its data are a valuable tool for the research community.

Students Gain Hands-On Experienc

A groundbreaking collaboration between the Kurt J. Lesker Company, Penn State University, MIT, and the Army Research Laboratory has successfully demonstrated ferroelectric switching in aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN) thin films using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD).

WORKSHOP: October 29, 2025

Workshop Details: 
This workshop explores advanced electron microscopy techniques specifically designed for characterizing beam-sensitive and soft materials, along with new possibilities enabled by multi-ion species plasma FIB milling. Through expert-led sessions and hands-on demonstrations, participants will gain insight into the unique advantages of using various ion species in combination with cryo-imaging.