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Physics and Nanotechnology Building
itcomm@umn.edu
itcomm@umn.edu
Physics/Nano in Minnesota
Physics
The U’s physics department has 38 faculty members and 129 graduate students. Additionally, about 3,000 undergraduate students per year take physics classes. The U's physics department provides real-world research opportunities to hundreds of students. Its internationally recognized research activities include biological physics, condensed matter and materials physics, cosmology and astrophysics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, and solar and planetary physics.
Physics is an essential and foundational subject for majors and non-majors alike. At the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus 48 undergraduate degree programs (spanning six colleges) require at least one physics class for graduation.
Physics research generates more than $10 million each year in federal grants. The University of Minnesota won a $40 million grant in 2009 to build a new neutrino physics facility in northern Minnesota.
Nanotechnology
About 120 faculty members University-wide are active in various areas of nanotechnology research, bringing in more than $20 million annually in research funding. Areas of emphasis include bio-nano; information sciences including transistors, lasers, and nanomechanical systems; micro and nanofluidics; wear coating; nano optics; magnetics; and the application of nano to energy systems.
While the University has a graduate program in Nanoparticle Engineering, the vast majority of students working in nanotechnology do so in their home departments. The addition of the Experimental Physics and Nanotechnology Advancement building will provide a state-of-the-art facility for interdisciplinary work.
The University of Minnesota was an early leader in nanotechnology, ranking seventh of all schools based on research funding. This strength was largely due to the University's expertise in materials science and chemical engineering. The field has now moved to applications of these materials. The new building is critical to keeping pace with innovation.
Due to its interdisciplinary nature, nanotechnology is essential to many of Minnesota's economic sectors. The Minnesota Bio/Business Alliance released a study in 2009 (Destination 2025) listing nanotech as one of the top priorities for member companies in our region–and throughout the world. Nanotechnology is critical to continued success of major local companies that work extensively outside of the bio sector, such as 3M, Honeywell, Seagate and Cypress.
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