The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) recently celebrated the grand opening of a cutting-edge nanofabrication lab at the University of Nevada, Reno, a key investment in research infrastructure that supports GOED’s innovation-based economic strategy for the state of Nevada.
The new Davidson Foundation Cleanroom located in the College of Engineering positions UNR’s nanofabrication as a leader in applied research and workforce development at a time when Nevada is expanding its footprint in high-tech industries, including semiconductors, new energy and biomedical innovation.
The lab’s opening came just days after UNR was designated as an Innovation & Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, a prestigious recognition of the university’s impact on regional economic engagement and innovation. This designation underscores GOED’s long-standing support of Nevada’s higher education as a driver of statewide growth and innovation.
“The Nanofabrication Lab will revolutionize engineering education and research in Northern Nevada by providing state-of-the-art facilities,” said Dr. Indira Chatterjee, interim dean, UNR College of Engineering. “This facility will attract top-tier students to our engineering programs and enhance their hands-on learning experience in modern manufacturing techniques of electronic, photonic, and quantum devices, hence contributing towards much-needed workforce development. In addition, it will foster cutting-edge research and innovation, positioning Northern Nevada as a hub for advanced technology, allowing local industry to thrive and expand.”
“The launch of this nanofabrication lab is a clear demonstration of what Nevada’s Innovation Based Economic Development strategy looks like in practice,” said Karsten Heise, senior director of strategic programs at GOED. “It represents the collaborative power bringing together use-inspired research, industry, and state economic development to accelerate market-driven innovation, build talent pipelines, and grow a regional innovation ecosystem. The Nanofabrication Lab is going to be an integral part of the recently formed public-private partnerships SmartNV and Recharge Nevada with the goal of prominently positioning Nevada industry in the semiconductor as well as the lithium and critical materials supply chains. We are proud to support and celebrate this milestone.”