News Archives - Page 2 of 16

Ultra-flat optic pushes beyond what was previously thought possible

In a first-of-its-kind achievement, a team of researchers at the University of Washington and Princeton University, co-led by NanoES faculty member Arka Majumdar (electrical & computer engineering, physics) and including NanoES director Karl Böhringer (ECE, bioengineering), has shown that a camera containing a large aperture, ultra-flat optic can record high-quality color images and video comparable to what can be captured with a conventional camera lens. The metalens, developed at the Washington Nanofabrication Facility (WNF), is hundreds of times smaller and thinner than a conventional camera lens, offering substantial savings in volume, weight, and device battery life.

Mo Malakooti — shaping the future of recyclable electronics

NanoES faculty member Mohammad Malakooti (mechanical engineering) has received the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award to advance sustainable manufacturing of flexible electronics.

New mRNA delivery system could transform cancer treatment

Researchers in the Miqin Zhang lab (materials science & engineering) have developed a promising new way to deliver messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) to cancer cells. Their novel polymer platform, a new nanoparticle comprised of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHA), polyethyleneimine (PEI), heparin (HP) and mRNA, shows enormous potential to outperform the current standard platform, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).

Kai-Mei Fu elected to Washington State Academy of Sciences

NanoES faculty member Kai-Mei Fu (physics, electrical & computer engineering) was recognized for “foundational contributions to fundamental and applied research on the optical and spin properties of quantum point defects in crystals and for service and leadership in the quantum community.”

WNF announces acting director following Maria Huffman departure

A split image, one of Maria on the left and Darick on the right

Maria Huffman, director of the Washington Nanofabrication Facility (WNF), has stepped down to take on new challenges as the director of the Swedish Chips Competence Center (SCCC). Darick Baker, who has served as the engineering and business development manager, has been named acting director.

Nicholas Yama wins 2025 UW NanoES Student Achievement Award for his work in quantum information applications

The University of Washington’s Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems (NanoES) awarded Electrical & Computer Engineering Ph.D. student Nicholas Yama its 2025 Student Achievement Award. Yama was recognized at the NanoES Symposium on May 8.

UW NanoES announces four awardees of Northwest Nanotechnology Infrastructure seed grants

The UW Institute for Nano-engineered Systems (NanoES) has awarded four seed grants to UW researchers to use nanotechnology tools to develop new, innovative technologies and devices.

How hands-on experience at WNF led a mechanical engineering student to Intel

Jimmy covered in protective gear, posing in front of a machine in the clean lab.

Four years ago, as an Engineering Dean’s Scholar, Jimmy Phan was listening to a lecture from the College of Engineering’s associate dean, Dan Ratner. Ratner told Phan’s cohort about the Washington Nanofabrication Facility (WNF), an open-access nanofabrication facility at the UW, and the opportunities for undergraduates to work there.

Through Chemistry and 3D Printing, New Materials Emerge

Imagine a building material that becomes stronger when stress is applied. Imagine being able to produce medications on demand, anywhere, with a 3D printer. Imagine biodegradable plastics with the same durability — but more adaptability — than their petroleum-based counterparts.

Precision at the smallest scale

Researchers wear full-body clean suits in the WNF to prevent contamination. The air in this environment is 1,000 times cleaner than in an operating room.

Step inside the Washington Nanofabrication Facility, where tiny tech is transforming research in quantum, chips, medicine and more.