Tel Aviv University is opening its micro and nano infrastructures for use by Israeli industry

As part of a national initiative, six centers for research in the nanofields have been launched in recent years at the research universities. As part of this activity, considerable sums were invested in the development of infrastructures in the fields of nano, which serve the researchers and contributed to a considerable number of technological developments and Israeli scientific breakthroughs in this field

Tel Aviv University took advantage of the construction of the local nano center to transform its infrastructure into a national knowledge center, benefiting not only dozens of research groups but also more than 20 companies. The Nano Center includes innovative and unique equipment in the field of electron microscopy, nanoimprinting lithography, writing using an ion beam (FIB), including a very wide range of production means from the micro field: from the design of the mask and the production of the mask, to the diffusion of thin layers and dry and wet depositions , until the packaging stage. The capabilities of lithography cover the nanometric domain (tens of nanometers) to the micron domain (a few microns). The field of coatings includes diverse technologies such as thermal evaporation, evaporation using an electron beam, spraying, etc. that allow a very wide range of types of materials that can be coated with a variety of surface properties. The center's staff includes eight experienced scientists and engineers who lead the professional activity.

"Opening the center for use by users from the industry is an important element in our work," emphasizes Prof. Uri Cheshnovsky, head of Tel Aviv University's Nano Center. "In the very act of opening the center to industry users, we are implementing the true potential of the infrastructure established with public support, and exposing the industry to the academic research being carried out at the university. The income from industry users will be an important component in ensuring the center's activity for years to come, as in similar centers around the world."

Opening the laboratory to external users required organizing and building a dedicated service system. The industry users can be trained and use the laboratory on their own, or order work through skilled process engineers. "Hiring and training process engineers for external users has contributed greatly to academic users as well," notes Prof. Yael Hanin, co-director of Tel Aviv University's Characterization and Production Center. "Nowadays even researchers with no experience in micro and nano processes can commission works. In fact, by opening the laboratory for industry, we have significantly promoted the academic activity at the university."

At an open day held recently at Tel Aviv University, representatives of many companies were presented with the activities of the center and an open discussion was held on current and future special needs. Adi Baram, VP at IMH, a company specializing in the management and implementation of projects based on MEMS technology, who participated in the discussion, noted: "Direct availability of micro and nano equipment to the company's engineers and the service provided at Tel Aviv University is critical to the development of MEMS components. The development processes require the presence of the company's engineers while the process is running. This is an important service, the lack of which in Israel has oppressed us in recent years." Projects carried out in laboratories today include optical components (such as photonic crystals), components for biological applications (Lab on a chip), MEMS sensors such as accelerometers, as well as a variety of components for characterizing the properties of nanometer materials.

Among the center's users are many companies, including the Aerospace Industry, Elbit Systems, IMH, Mardin Technologies, Maz'ar, El Siallo, and more.

More details can be found On the website of the Center for Nanotechnology at Tel Aviv University