Micro and Nano Technology Introduction and Overview

Micro and Nano Technology or MNT, is increasing in importance throughout modern life and it is also increasing in importance within the international scientific community in instrumentation development and experimental procedure.

STFC has significant MNT capability throughout the organisation. MNT capabilities include the main processing elements of lithography, etching and deposition. These are complemented by precision clean assembly and metrology. Metrology includes significant surface analysis technology which is held in both large and smaller scale facilities throughout the organisation. These capabilities and expertise within STFC have been built up from many years of running scientific projects and scientific facilities for the UK academic community.

The combinations of facilities give a unique capability within the UK. STFC also has two associate companies who have UK government funded MNT capabilities.

Other companies have access to MNT capabilities at STFC either through commercial contracts or collaborative projects. Co-location within facilities has been arranged with some companies where there is mutual benefit to both parties. STFC also has several spin-out companies based in the MNT discipline and has a wide network both nationally and internationally of MNT capabilities.