News & Updates
July 5, 2018
Students emerged into a new whole world which was Nanotechnology. Rachael Jayne and Victoria Wiedorn assisted REU students teaching them about 3D laser lithography system, Photonic Professional GT by Nanoscribe sets 3D microprinting and maskless lithography. Rachel printed several structures which were all around 100-300 um in diameter and less than 300 um tall. In combination with the software package, the system is embedded best along the 3D printing workflow and offers a high degree of automation for direct manufacturing. In addition, the Photonic Professional GT allows for the fabrication of high-resolution photomasks and other direct write applications.
After this session, students went to observe the 3D laser structures using the SEM (Scan Electron Microscope). The SEM is a type of electron microscope that produces images of a sample by scanning the surface with a focused beam of electrons. The ability to be able to observe structures of the size of a human hair is what amazed every student during the session.
July 2, 2018
The REU students group had the opportunities to present and introduce their research projects to the faculties and mentors.
June 28, 2018
Another REU students group had a tour at the BU Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC).
June 26, 2018
REU students had a tour at the BU Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC). Kara Mogensen, the supervisor of this lab, provided details about the 3D prototyping and additive manufacturing tools that this center has. Also, Kara demonstrated fabrication facilities, materials testing, project management software, 3-D printers, robotics and laser processing equipment. The best part was when the students had the opportunity to get 3D printed their designs and took those new sculptures with them.
June 21, 2018
Another group of students from NSF REU donned full safety regalia to work on the Deposition and Lift Off processes. Check out their amazing works!
June 20, 2018
Antonio and Ivanna were up on the roof adjusting the mirror for the diffraction grating on the 7th floor with Dr. Bifano.
June 19, 2018
Students from NSF REU donned full safety regalia to work on the Deposition and Lift Off processes. The Deposition process was performed using the CHA Evaporator System. The students coated their wafers from the week before with one layer of Titanium and then Gold. Then the Lift Off process took place. The silicon wafer was placed into a biker with acetone and using a sonicator, the gold was removed from the desired areas and leave only the design chosen by the students.
June 12, 2018
The first group of REU participants spent the morning in the Class 100 Cleanroom in the Optoelectronics Processing Facility (OPF), spinning wafers and exposing them with masks that they made for the session.
June 10, 2018
On Sunday, the REU participants enjoyed a beautiful sunny day in the 70’s walking through historic sites in Boston on our annual Freedom Trail walk. This was our first group to make it to the Bunker Hill Monument. It was Finley’s 2nd summer walking the trail with his newly found group of friends from all over the country!
June 5, 2018
The Boston University Photonics Center NSF REU INM welcomed our students who participated in our introductory orientation day. After an overview of the REU program including responsibilities, challenges, and outcomes, lab safety training, chemical handling in the Optoelectronic Processing Facility and Laser Safety Training were all covered. Faculty and graduate student mentors worked with their REU participants to plan out the summer’s research goals and milestones as the mentors introduced each participant’s project and how it relates to the lab’s research outcomes.
