The College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering is part of the University at Albany, SUNY in Albany, New York. Founded in 2004 at the University at Albany, SUNY, the college underwent rapid expansion in the late-2000s and early-2010s before merging with the SUNY Institute of Technology in 2014. The college rejoined the University at Albany in 2023. The college was the first college in the United States devoted to nanotechnology.

History

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering was originally established as the School of Nanosciences and Nanoengineering at the University at Albany in 2001 (part of the College of Arts and Sciences). CNSE was accredited as the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering of the University at Albany in 2004, and in December of that year, awarded its first Ph.D. degrees in nanoscience. In July 2013, SUNY's Board of Trustees approved a memorandum that led to the separation of CNSE from the University at Albany and included the creation of a new degree-granting structure for the NanoCollege. This was followed by the merger of the SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) with CNSE in September 2014 to create SUNY Polytechnic Institute. In January 2015, Dr. Alain Kaloyeros was appointed by the SUNY Board of Trustees as the President of SUNY Poly. In September 2016, Kaloyeros was charged with felony bid rigging and removed as the Institute's President. In December 2022, the SUNY Board of Trustees charged UAlbany and SUNY Poly with returning the affiliation of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to the University at Albany. The reunification officially occurred on August 3, with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering combining with UAlbany's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences to form the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering. The faculty and students of the former College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering became the Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering in the new College.

Academics

CNSE offers nanotechnology-related degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Nanoscale Engineering and Nanoscale Science, the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in either Nanoscale Science or Nanoscale Engineering, and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in either Nanoscale Science or Nanoscale Engineering. The Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering also offers graduate degrees in nanobioscience (M.S. or Ph.D). In 2010, CNSE became the first college in the U.S. to launch a comprehensive baccalaureate program in Nanoscale Engineering and Nanoscale Science. The College also offers BS, MS, and PhD programs in Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Environmental & Sustainable Engineering.

Research Facilities

The Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering is located on the Albany Nanotechnology Complex, near Western Avenue and Fuller Road, west of the University at Albany Uptown Campus. The campus location has a number of research and development facilities, including wafer fabrication cleanrooms with different classifications for cleanroom suitability.

NanoFabs

NanoFab 200, (also known as CESTM), an earlier part of the campus, was completed in 1997. This 70000 sqft, $16.5 million facility includes 4000 sqft of cleanroom space, a metrology lab, and office space for programs. NanoFab South, completed in March 2004, is a 150000 sqft, facility including 32000 sqft of 300 mm wafer, class 10,000-capable cleanroom space. Completed December in 2005, NanoFab North is a 228,000 sqft, facility including 35,000 sqft of cleanroom space with Class 100-capable 300mm wafer production. In March 2009, another $150 million expansion project included NanoFab East, a 250000 sqft office, laboratory, and multipurpose room building, in addition to NanoFab Central, a separate 100000 sqft building that houses 15000 sqft of 300mm wafer, class 100-capable cleanroom space. NanoFab Xtension (NFX), completed in 2013, is a 500,000 sqft facility with 50,000 sqft of 300mm wafer cleanrooms. The Zero Energy Nanotechnology (ZEN) building, completed in 2015, is a 356,000 sqft facility.

Strategic technology and commercialization centers and programs

The Albany location is the home of numerous pioneering nanotechnology programs funded by a variety of public and private sources. CNSE is able to accelerate the commercialization of technologies by providing technology deployment, market development, economic outreach and business assistance under a variety of centers and programs.

Academic centers and programs