As part of its commitment to education, workforce development, and experiential learning, NYS Focus Center provides extensive support for academic and training programs that give students direct access to advanced research facilities and instrumentation.
Through undergraduate and graduate courses, laboratory-based instruction, and certificate programs, students gain hands-on experience in microfabrication, semiconductor processing, electron microscopy, materials characterization, and cleanroom operations. These educational activities bridge classroom theory with practical research skills, preparing students for careers in microelectronics, advanced manufacturing, materials science, and related high-technology industries.
ECSE 6300/MTLE 6300 - Integrated Circuit Fabrication Laboratory
Theory and practice of IC fabrication in a research laboratory environment. Test chips are fabricated and the resulting devices and circuits evaluated. Processes and fabrication equipment studied and used include oxidation/diffusion, CVD reactors, photolithography, plasma etching, vacuum evaporator, ion implantation, etc. Instruments used in process monitoring and final testing include thin film profilometer, ellipsometer, resistivity probe, scanning electron microscope, capacitance-voltage system, etc. The fundamentals of hazardous material handling and clean room procedures are studied.
MTLE 6962 - Scanning Electron and Ion Techniques
Scanning Electron and Ion Techniques is designed to provide the theory, applications and laboratory experience to enable the student to gain a strong working knowledge of materials characterization with finely focused electron and ion beams. This will be achieved by a series of in class lectures on electron- and ion-solid interactions, and resulting imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy methods, coupled with a series of four hands-on demos and laboratories in small groups.
MTLE 6963 - Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
Transmission Electron Microscopy provides an overview of the fundamentals of transmission electron microscopy along with microscope operation. This includes, but is not limited to microscope alignment (why and how it is done properly), fundamentals of diffraction, imaging and interpretation of the information represented within images, and an introduction to advanced TEM techniques such as elemental analysis etc. This will be achieved by a series of in class lectures on transmission electron interactions, resulting imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy methods, and coupled with a series of four hands-on demos and laboratories in small groups.
BYOND: Build Your Own Nano Device – Enrichment Opportunity and Certificate Program
The BYOND Certificate Program provides undergraduate students with an introduction to microfabrication, cleanroom operations, and materials analysis through hands-on learning in the Micro and Nanofabrication Clean Room (MNCR). As industries such as semiconductors, medical devices, aerospace, and renewable energy increasingly rely on cleanroom technologies, the program helps students build valuable technical skills for graduate study and professional careers. The program consists of four independent four-week modules, each combining classroom instruction with laboratory demonstrations. Students may complete the modules in any order, and upon finishing all four, they will receive a certificate and become eligible for cleanroom laboratory access. Learn more.
