Chambana Sun

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign’s (UIUC) have won a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish a computational node to develop nanomanufacturing simulation tools, according to a release from the university.

“We are excited to develop high fidelity theory, modeling, and simulation tools that will reduce the lead time to design, fabricate, and scale nano-manufactured products,” Elif Ertekin, one of the researchers from the Mechanical Science and Engineering Department, said in the release. “Our goal is to help realize the potential of nanomanufacturing by streamlining the process and making simulation tools widely available to anyone interested in developing a nano-manufactured product.”

The node, the first of its kind in the country, is intended to promote nanomanufacturing growth through facilitating design, simulation, planning and optimization. It will involve UIUC faculty members Kimani Toussain, Narayana Aluru and Placid Ferreira, in addition to Eretkin, as well as a researcher from University of California, Berkeley.

“To make nanomanufacturing economically viable, we envision end-users getting onto the nanoHUB cyber platform and simulating every stage in the manufacturing of a nano-enabled product,” Toussaint, the project director, said in the press release. “These simulation tools could save significant time and money while providing valuable insight on how to refine critical process steps in nanomanufacturing.”