January 2018 - BNC-all - ecn.purdue.edu

UPDATED: BNC E-news for the week of January 29th
by Turner, Jaime J 29 Jan '18

29 Jan '18

UPDATED: [BIRCK NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTER][http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/resources/toolkit/files/logo/di…] Seminars/Workshops Integrated Photonic and Plasmonic Signal Transduction for Micro- and Nanomechanical Sensing Dr. Vladimir A. Aksyuk Seminar January 29th, 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm BRK 1001 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1296 Scalable Thermal Energy Engineering Technologies Dr. Shannon Yee February 8th, 2018 10:00am - 11:00am BRK 1001 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1253 Molecular Doping for Organic Semiconductors Interface Engineering: Principles and Reality Dr. Antoine Kahn February 16th, 2018 11:00am - 12:00pm BRK 1001 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1286 SAVE THE DATE: Workshop on Nanomaterials Characterization Birck Nanotechnology Center is excited to hold a workshop in conjunction with three research-oriented companies - NT-MDT, Quantum Design, and Gatan - which supply crucial equipment at the Birck facility. March 22-23, 2018 ***Please email Neil Dilley at ndilley(a)purdue.edu<mailto:ndilley@purdue.edu> if you are interested**** http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1288 See other Discovery Park's Events: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/events/index.php Birck Process Cap Modification The Birck research community has enjoyed a $13K cap per student per project for a number of years. The way this cap has been working is as follows: If any one student working on one research project reached $13K in charges during a fiscal year, then additional access & equipment charges for the remainder of that fiscal year were waived (covered by other Birck funds). Going forward we will retain the $13K cap as usual, but if any student continues to use facilities at a high rate and accumulates an additional $15K in non-paid use, then the normal use rates will resume again at that $28K accumulated level. In other words for a fiscal year (July 1 - June 30), work between $0 - $13K is paid at normal rates. Then work done between $13K - $28K is at no charge, and any work continuing above $28K resumes charging at the normal rates. This is essentially a cap on the cap and it will begin February 1, 2018. We are looking for the below coffee mug, it is a Limited Edition Korean Script Starbucks Mug and was left outside a lab. If you find it can you please return to Harris Mousoulis in BRK 1276. Thanks for your help! [cid:image008.jpg@01D398E5.A5A67A40]

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BNC E-news for the week of January 29th
by Turner, Jaime J 29 Jan '18

29 Jan '18

[BIRCK NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTER][http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/resources/toolkit/files/logo/di…] Seminars/Workshops Integrated Photonic and Plasmonic Signal Transduction for Micro- and Nanomechanical SensingDr. Shannon Yee January 29th, 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm BRK 1001 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1296 Scalable Thermal Energy Engineering Technologies Dr. Shannon Yee February 8th, 2018 10:00am - 11:00am BRK 1001 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1253 Molecular Doping for Organic Semiconductors Interface Engineering: Principles and Reality Dr. Antoine Kahn February 16th, 2018 11:00am - 12:00pm BRK 1001 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1286 SAVE THE DATE: Workshop on Nanomaterials Characterization Birck Nanotechnology Center is excited to hold a workshop in conjunction with three research-oriented companies - NT-MDT, Quantum Design, and Gatan - which supply crucial equipment at the Birck facility. March 22-23, 2018 ***Please email Neil Dilley at ndilley(a)purdue.edu<mailto:ndilley@purdue.edu> if you are interested**** http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1288 See other Discovery Park's Events: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/events/index.php Birck Process Cap Modification The Birck research community has enjoyed a $13K cap per student per project for a number of years. The way this cap has been working is as follows: If any one student working on one research project reached $13K in charges during a fiscal year, then additional access & equipment charges for the remainder of that fiscal year were waived (covered by other Birck funds). Going forward we will retain the $13K cap as usual, but if any student continues to use facilities at a high rate and accumulates an additional $15K in non-paid use, then the normal use rates will resume again at that $28K accumulated level. In other words for a fiscal year (July 1 - June 30), work between $0 - $13K is paid at normal rates. Then work done between $13K - $28K is at no charge, and any work continuing above $28K resumes charging at the normal rates. This is essentially a cap on the cap and it will begin February 1, 2018. We are looking for the below coffee mug, it is a Limited Edition Korean Script Starbucks Mug and was left outside a lab. If you find it can you please return to Harris Mousoulis in BRK 1276. Thanks for your help! [cid:image008.jpg@01D398E2.DC673AE0]

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3D3C Newsletter - December 2017
by Kwok, Tim 26 Jan '18

26 Jan '18

[https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b7d6d1ffee56a866e499104cf/images/3e8e050f-67f…] Volume 13, December 2017 [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b7d6d1ffee56a866e499104cf/images/10f15e72-d4d…] 3D at Purdue 3D in Focus 3D in Publications 3D in Meetings 3D at Purdue Advances in Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Harnessing the Biological Activity of Collagen Type II The research in the Liu laboratory focuses on developing biomaterials with embedded cues that promote differentiation of cells to a specific cell fate. A variety of different hydrogels have been developed by the lab consisting of both native and recombinant proteins. Collagen hydrogels are an attractive option for engineering articular cartilage scaffolds since they are biocompatible and can conform to any desired altered shape. Collagen type I continues to be the most utilized type of collagen in engineered tissue scaffolds even though collagen type II is the most abundant type of collagen in cartilage. Furthermore, collagen type II has been shown to promote the secretion of cartilage-specific extracellular matrix by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), but it exhibits poor mechanical properties when forming a hydrogel. We have developed a blended hydrogel that harnesses the biological activity of collagen type II and the superior mechanical properties of collagen type I. Rabbit MSCs were embedded within a 3D hydrogel made up of a 3:1 blend of collagen type I to II (Figure 1). Our in vitro studies show that the addition of collagen type II, in contrast to an all collagen type I gel (1:0 gel), promotes the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that are important nonfibrillar components of cartilage. In collaboration with Dr. Breur in the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine, defects were created in the femur of New Zealand White rabbits and filled with either a 1:0 or 3:1 hydrogel scaffold embedded with autologous bone marrow derived MSCs. Preliminary results show that the 3:1 hydrogels provide an environment conducive for cell differentiation and integration with the surrounding tissue. We believe that the investigation of a collagen type I and II blend scaffold with embedded MSCs will lay the ground work for an effective tissue engineering solution for articular cartilage repair. [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b7d6d1ffee56a866e499104cf/images/1b7ea736-966…] Figure 1. To engineer a replacement for articular cartilage, we encapsulate cells within a 3:1 collagen type I to II blend hydrogel. Confocal microscopy is used to visualize DAPI stained cells (blue) and the collagen network (green). Relevant Publication: Vazquez-Portalatin N, Kilmer CE, Panitch A, Liu JC, Characterization of Collagen Type I and II Blend Hydrogels for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering. Biomacromolecules, 2016. 17(10): p. 3145-3152. Funding with support from Indiana CTSI (NIH TL1TR001107 and UL1TR001108), Purdue Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue Ross Fellowship, and the National Institute of Health (NIAMS R21AR065644 and R01AR065398) Julie C. Liu Associate Professor Davidson School of Chemical Engineering Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering (by courtesy) ________________________________ 3D in Focus In a complex three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment, biochemical signals as well as biophysical factors interact and integrate to regulate cell survival, self-renewal, and differentiation. However, the study of biophysical factors (e.g. cell-matrix interaction) on cells are mostly from 2D culture, which does not fully capture the cellular characteristics observed in vivo, e.g. cell volume and cell geometry. The studies highlighted in this newsletter confirm, by encapsulating cells in 3D hydrogel, that the volume and geometry of cells in the 3D microniches affect actin polymerization, protein localization, gene expression, and lineage selection in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Min Bao, Jing Xie, Aigars Piruska & Wilhelm T.S. Huck. 3D microniches reveal the importance of cell size and shape. Nature Communications 8: 1962 (2017) 3D3C summary of the article: By encapsulating hMSCS in 3D hydrogel of methacrylated hyaluronic acid with the lateral dimensions as 400 μm2 and the height of 23, 12, 9, and 7 μm, respectively (denoted as V1, V2, V3, and V4), Bao et al were able to control the volume and geometry, and maintain the viability of cells in culture for more than 10 days. 1. Cell volume effect: With the decrease in cell volume, the number of cells with formed stress fibers, as defined by actin staining, increased significantly in 3D microniches from V1 to V3, before diminishing at V4. Regarding the volume of the cell nucleus, the largest was found in cells in V1 and V2 (no significant difference), while it decreased significantly with diminishing cell size from V2 to V4. Concerning chromatin condensation, as assessed based on DAPI staining, the average spatial density of nuclei first increased with decreasing niche heights from V1 to V3, then it decreased when the niche height reached V4. By immunofluorescence staining they measured the levels of histone deacetylase 3, the enzyme that regulates cellular histone acetylation level, were lower in cells of V3 compared with larger size V1 and V2. Transcriptional regulator YAP/TAZ is a key element controlling gene expression in response to physical cues. Fluorescence staining showed that YAP/TAZ remained cytosolic in cells in microniches with V1 and V2 volume, but was located in the nuclear region when the cell volume was V3 and V4. hMSCs may undergo adipogenic differentiation, as indicated by staining for neutral lipids, and osteogenic differentiation, as indicated by alkaline phosphatase staining. hMSCs exhibited adipogenic differentiation in 82% and 67% of V1 and V2 cells respectively, and very low levels (less than 26%) of osteogenic differentiation. However, osteogenic differentiation was significantly enhanced (87%) in cells of V3 volume while the percentage of cells with adipogenic differentiation was significantly decreased. 2. Cell geometry effect. Cells were encapsulated in hydrogel with a same volume (V3), but different shapes (triangular prism, cylinder, cuboid (aspect ratio 1:4) and cube (aspect ratio 1:1)) that forced cells to adopt similar shapes. Among these four conditions, more stress fibers were observed in triangular prism cells and cuboid cells that also showed less adipogenic differentiation as compared with cylinder and cubic cells. Comments from 3D3C: Cells in tissues and organs in vivo have different sizes and shapes, such features are important for their biological function in the body. Much of the information about the influence of biophysical factors on cells comes from studies on 2D micropatterned substrates. In 2D cell culture, it is, however, difficult to control the cell volume and geometry due to spreading and adhesion of cells onto the substrate. The article presented here demonstrates the possibility of uncoupling cell size and shape from other biophysical factors. This system might be useful in characterizing cells with unique sizes and shapes, e.g. nerve cells, and helping better understand the function of cells in vivo. ________________________________ 3D in Publications Recent publications on 3D culture (please click to access the list on our web page https://nanohub.org/groups/3d3cfacility<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1yCOyZThfHAO_tiSMpk9DkbN260y82hjUDfx5U3sOqUgSc…>): Review<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1tIj110tsyN1-DvsFTsfmz6sI6RN7DcTD--t2476ebuijx…> The research articles and reviews are arranged in the following categories: Scaffold free/Scaffold Organ/Tissue/Cell Others Spheroids<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1PqgLAq_S2OLaVIlW7HoBq3ddEDReWRMK3lAbA5HnkbMox…> Organoid<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1gPL1LHkOhqaZuFayP8Jd73QcXWTcyHGEXRopOySkjr6ED…> Scaffold<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1aBAneAzQDpUH6WZ6Z9GVMSlsKdCabNPEq2aGIiomHlJT5…> Hydrogel<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1qDB0fxd68oEu3523KyWiMk7m808YZmMtl3HYW0UVqc6A2…> Matrix<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1Fl3eCLCQRiYCr_Q3IXqneuNBeqJagBYnLks9x1NQZR2UO…> Microfluidics<https://secure-web.cisco.com/187JJ9UQrfrwS5oi0egj6McJBt5iKiAGvd16w6F1QmEIOo…> Microfabrication<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1Zsl9xMVEASdyetaHeMoW1R4RdT-hNoYh5B3PoHMcx4_9J…> Bone<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1v9d_ftJ4w0idmWA1csICXZZX2V6lmmEYtG9_FdbtAFcPK…> Bone Marrow<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1YDpgIHrI7HjBM8OpJ26-9BuhoO2JF9yQVs947U1iJAcvp…> Breast<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1nBlam1QSt3-RGnwpWDkNH2-8O97UyMc57eIAIEPsEe_HD…> Colon<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1mKpnT_cKEEePrUSrDm8DFiRaWyCmU898B18he3Y3o8J4-…> Heart<https://secure-web.cisco.com/10ek68T7eR-GeBC9-HuLTP-lg-rR1eR3icEcwDN1m1u4hM…> Liver<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1k6qHPb2umOR0pwdJNRbcPcuqUaPWU6uao5MSpAtvHcoRI…> Lung<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1a-ae3c_gEwc3NBPZ_cxUtgj6oryBxBEl9WGXHn-RH5hrN…> Muscle<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1Yj3g6HX9NC8c0ondZCNzobEuv2G3j1Jd6aw7aRzrdxxb_…> Nerve<https://secure-web.cisco.com/18-a-7PTslfvoIT94kFsxSUveiEiEv72dBsQ7d9-rR4yaS…> Prostate<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1cT8UJAGWWHYUzL9rAto4sAxnTReyRiepvNJDssSY5WsxC…> Endothelial cells<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1hJJgL1Dz6EXTPWMcjfr6DeZ5AyCkM2lYhJkNwwn4yfOQV…> Fibroblast<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1rgjj-5zJfSHy_1PiNwFTKkTqkXnXTua__rxSL_lQrmWqz…> Stem Cells<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1oleKV51AoBhBeWwLYhLKP-lYMMADSKU5ljMhxuB9AWNn7…> Stromal Cells<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1Pfo4oZqRoIKMUz560cz2n7gNV3O_ExS_WOHKHhPHoU6K_…> Cancer/Tumor<https://secure-web.cisco.com/14RSrCnfmJ8uAFYFYuVBgVYDRr07nfb9gDYYbGkikcmW-b…> Screening<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1-C0mJxDrLTaSZBZS7XiX15SYqNKiQiKqqAuMbx84qMjMv…> 3D bioprinting<https://secure-web.cisco.com/103PgNhnytLQBqur8hwUPOY6WtCqkecSgJDDX2e4ySczD4…> Imaging<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1c_60-wLsHF13TctcrnpfFClmZGAx5Ny7U1pWidP3gTkwT…> ________________________________ 3D in Meetings 3D Cell Culture Date: 21st to 22nd February 2018 Location: London, United Kingdom Website: https://www.smi-online.co.uk/pharmaceuticals/uk/3D-Cell-Culture<https://secure-web.cisco.com/1M2icpi2qZ-BwFNzBbJY4bPdtgWWT-tIKoZCCJrr9F6rD-…> Contact person: Customer Services Organized by: SMi group Collaborative 3D Printing in Medical Practice Date: 23rd to 25th February 2018 Location: Scottsdale, USA Website: http://go.evvnt.com/153859-0<http://secure-web.cisco.com/1CjTLYIPRM8kNWN5MzvONlVIN5mUpiRPVaMc8EY14DfXPf4…> Contact person: Department of Radiology CME Office Organized by: Mayo Clinic Collaborative 3D Printing in Medical Practice is designed to update and introduce radiologists, surgeons, dentists, and biomedical engineers on uses of 3D printing of anatomic models. Keystone Symposia: Organs- and Tissues-on-Chips Date: 8th to 12th April 2018 Location: Big Sky, Montana, USA Website: http://www.keystonesymposia.org/18D1 Contact person:info@keystonesymposia.org Organized by: Keystone Symposia 3rd International Conference on Nanomedicine, Drug Delivery, and Tissue Engineering (NDDTE'18) Date: 10th to 12th April 2018 Location: New Delhi, India Website: http://nddte.com/ Contact person: Conference Administrator Organized by: International ASET 3rd International Conference on 3D Printing in Medicine Date: 4th to 5th May 2018 Location: Halle, Germany Website: http://3dprint-congress.com/ Contact person:congress@bb-mc.com Organized by: boeld communication GmbH 2nd World Congress and Expo on Nanotechnology and Materials Science Date: 25th to 27th June 2018 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: https://biocoreconferences.com/nanotechnology2018/index.php Contact person: Hany Organized by: Biocore 4th International Conference on Bio-based Polymers and Composites Date: 2nd to 6th September 2018 Location: Balatonfüred, Hungary Website: http://www.bipoco2018.hu Contact person: Dóra Tátraaljai Bio-based polymers and their blends, composites. Natural polymers and their modification. Natural fiber reinforced composites. Other raw materials based on natural resources. Biodegradation and environmental issues EMBO|EMBL Symposium: Organoids: Modelling Organ Development and Disease in 3D Culture Date: 10th to 13th September 2018 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Website: http://www.embo-embl-symposia.org/symposia/2018/EES18-08/index.html Contact person: events(a)embl.de<mailto:events@embl.de> Organized by: EMBL

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Cell Culture Basics Training Workshop - February 15 & 16 2018 - 2nd Announcement
by Kwok, Tim 22 Jan '18

22 Jan '18

Dear Fellow Scientists, The 3D3C workshop on basic cell culture techniques is scheduled on February 15 & 16, 2018. Participation in the workshops requires having REM biosafety training and bloodborne pathogen training. The course fee for the workshop is $250 (see flyer attached for more information). There is no prerequisite for the workshop. The registration deadline is January 26, 2017. If you are interested or have questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you. Sincerely, Tim Kwok Facility Manager 3D Cell Culture Core (3D3C) Facility Birck Nanotechnology Center Purdue University ________________________________ [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b7d6d1ffee56a866e499104cf/images/e0234b03-0ea…]

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REMINDER: NSAC blood drive - TODAY 11am - 4pm in BRK 1001
by Turner, Jaime J 22 Jan '18

22 Jan '18

January is National Blood Donor month, and YOUR donation is critically needed! Patients count on 500+ Hoosier volunteers each & every day to raise their sleeves. Be ONE more! Blood drive today (1/22) @ Birck, 11am - 4pm. Sign up: NSAC Blood Drive Jan 22<https://www.donorpoint.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/119382>

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Missing cart - Receptionist
by Totten, Mary J 19 Jan '18

19 Jan '18

Everyone, We are missing the cart at the receptionist desk. This is a multi-use cart that we need to have returned right away. If you know where it is, please return it ASAP. Thank you, Mary Jo Totten Logistics Coordinator Birck Nanotechnology Center Rm. 1220 1205 West State Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2057 (765)496-1173 "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." - Winston Churchill

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BNC E-news for the week of January 22nd
by Turner, Jaime J 18 Jan '18

18 Jan '18

[BIRCK NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTER][http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/resources/toolkit/files/logo/di…] Seminars/Workshops Mesoscopic Optics Dr. Hui Cao January 22nd, 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm MRGN 129 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1272 Introduction to CasaXPS January 23rd and 24th BRK 1001 Register at: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1243 Scalable Thermal Energy Engineering Technologies Dr. Shannon Yee February 8th, 2018 10:00am - 11:00am BRK 1001 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1253 Molecular Doping for Organic Semiconductors Interface Engineering: Principles and Reality Dr. Antoine Kahn February 16th, 2018 11:00am - 12:00pm BRK 1001 http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1286 SAVE THE DATE: Workshop on Nanomaterials Characterization Birck Nanotechnology Center is excited to hold a workshop in conjunction with three research-oriented companies - NT-MDT, Quantum Design, and Gatan - which supply crucial equipment at the Birck facility. March 22-23, 2018 ***Please email Neil Dilley at ndilley(a)purdue.edu<mailto:ndilley@purdue.edu> if you are interested**** http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/events/index.php?view=1288 See other Discovery Park's Events: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/events/index.php Birck Kitchen Refrigerator Clean-out The kitchen refrigerator will be cleaned out on Monday, January 22nd, 8:00am. Please make sure your items have a label with name and date. Items that are not labeled will be thrown out.

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Engineering Organization Announcement
by Reger, Ronald K 18 Jan '18

18 Jan '18

Engineering Organization Announcement I am very pleased to announce that we have filled our Electron Beam Lithography Research Engineering position with Mr. Justin Wirth. Justin, a current Birck engineering staff member responsible for optical lithography, mask making, the Birck Wiki, and process control & characterization has accepted a transfer to the newly created position of E-Beam Research Engineer, effective February 1st. In this new role Justin will lead process development on the new JEOL e-beam system by supporting all research groups in evaluating new e-beam resists and developing new and novel device structures. Justin will still be responsible for the Birck Wiki and will be available for broad process consulting. This new position is complementary to Mr. Bill Rowe who will continue to provide JEOL, Raith, Nanonex, and optical microscope training, maintenance, and user support. Additionally I am pleased to announce that Mr. Joon Park will assume the leadership responsibility for optical lithography including mask-making on the Heidelberg, training on spinners and aligners, training on the wafer bonder, and optical lithography process support. Joon will also retain his responsibility for AFMs. These new assignments for Joon are complementary to Mr. Wil Arnett who will continue to support optical lithography maintenance and equipment checks. Additionally Wil will continue to cross train on the optical lithography systems and will back-up Joon. Justin is a PhD candidate in ECE and will complete his defense later this year. Joon is a PhD candidate in ABE and will complete his defense this year, and Wil holds a Master's degree in Technology and has just begun a PhD program in that school. Please join me in contratulating these gentlemen on their assignments. Ron Reger Engineering Manager Birck Nanotechnology Center

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Required - All User Meeting (Third Notice)
by Jurss, Stephen E 16 Jan '18

16 Jan '18

Birck Users, The all user meeting is scheduled for: Wednesday January 17th at 7:00pm in lily 1-105 Thursday January 18th at 7:00pm in lily 1-105 All users must attend one of these two session or they will lose lab access. Please remember to bring your Birck or Purdue ID. Stephen Jurss Birck Safety Officer

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Brick Center Updates
by Shakouri, Ali 14 Jan '18

14 Jan '18

Dear All, I hope everybody had great holidays and best wishes for the New Year. Last year was very productive as our faculty in all areas (nano electronics/ spintronics, nano/quantum photonics, nano energy, nanomanufacturing/ SMART films, MEMS/ RF systems, nanobio/ biomedical devices as well as nano characterization and theory/computation) were successful to produce many impactful research results (with >260 publications in 2017) and bring record funding (>$40M in FY2017). Several new major research projects have started or are funded including Microsoft’s Station-Q at Purdue, two SRC/NSF/NIST nCore centers, as well as the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network. Our students and NSAC have been very active running great events (weekly coffee hours, journal club, poster sessions, professional development workshops, social activities) which are essential to bring almost 300 resident students, faculty and staff together and create a vibrant learning community. Our Birck staff are overseeing some of the largest additions of new tools (JEOL ebeam writer, AJA Ion Mill, R2R manufacturing line, ALD, starting lab preparation for Themis TEM, etc.) and took on major initiatives such as process characterization which will set us apart and can help bring external users. I would like to use this opportunity and express my deep appreciation for all the hard work and dedication shown by our staff. We have an outstanding engineering staff that keep sophisticated equipment and processes running for our vast community (>500 users annually). Our dedicated building operations staff oversee complex installations, coordinate the work with physical facilities and keep our building running smoothly. We also enjoy a great safety record. Our top scientific staff enable, and contribute to, world-class discoveries, and we continue to please our external customers. Although, at times, transition to iLabs was challenging, our outstanding business staff ensure timely account management and billings. Our great administrative staff process purchase orders and travel forms that have increased by 25-50% in the last three years and provide the coordination for many visitors, tours, seminars and numerous other daily activities. This seamless operation is a testament to every staff member’s dedication and skill and how everybody works together beyond the group boundaries to help create a world-class nano center that is envy of many major universities. I have great expectations and trust in our entire Birck staff family and I want to personally thank each of them for their dedication and support. During the Fall semester, we had regular meetings with our newly-formed Birck Faculty Leadership committee that brings diverse expertise from across Purdue. In the next couple of months, we will be working on a strategic plan and we will share it with higher administration and the whole Birck community. We hope this will be a blueprint of activities and major initiatives that will increase our preeminence in years to come. With the new year, there will be some changes in Birck management. Prof. Dimitri Peroulis has been recently appointed as Associate Dean for External Affairs at the College of Engineering and is stepping down as Deputy Director. Dimitri has been serving at Birck since January 2014, and has played a key role in many of our initiatives helping to improve Birck operations significantly. Given the range of activities, I have decided to divide the responsibilities and I am delighted to announce that Prof. Dana Weinstein will be Associate Director for Operations and Prof. Yong Chen will be Associate Director for Research. Yong will oversee our research scientists and work to increase interdisciplinary collaborations, pursue major centers, industry partnerships and international collaborations. Dana will oversee engineering, building and safety staff as well as various aspects of our daily operation, staff cross-training, user feedback and the quality-control process. Please join me in thanking Dimitri for his great service to Birck, and welcoming Dana and Yong to their new positions. I look forward to a great and even-more productive 2018. Best regards Ali

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