VR Digital Classroom

CNF Virtual Reality Nanofabrication Training and Digital Classroom

 

CNF has a long history of engagement with the community for both outreach and equipment training in the microelectronics and nanotechnology fields. The most effective engagement, however, occurs face to face, with students physically present in the CNF Cleanroom. The ability to scale this interaction faces both staff time and geographical barriers, as well as age barriers. The workforce development goals of this country require that we reach not only university students, but high school and community college learners as well. To reach significantly more learners on a national scale, new models have to be developed that can deliver effective interaction at scale and cost effectively to a broad audience.

Over the last 12 months, CNF, in partnership with the Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation, has been developing a series of nanotechnology training modules delivered in full Virtual Reality. This effort is lead led by CNF Staff Tom Pennell and Professor Allison Godwin, CNF Assoc Director. With financial support from Cornell, CNF, and NORDTECH-ME Commons, we have developed the first of a planned series of VR experiences covering the entire spectrum of cleanroom and nanotechnology processes. 

Planned and Completed Modules

  1. Youth Outreach - Completed
  2. Cleanroom safety - Completed
  3. Gowning - Completed
  4. Photolithography 1 - Completed
  5. Photolithography 2 - Completed
  6. Photolithography 3 - Completed
  7. Photolithography 4 - Completed
  8. Wet etching - In Production
  9. Community Outreach - Spring 2025, sponsored by the Micron Foundation
  10. Dry etching - Spring 2025
  11. Sputter Deposition
  12. Thin Film Evaporation
  13. Plasma CVD
  14. Hot Processes-CVD and Oxidation 

These VR modules, each about 20 minutes in length, are delivered via Meta Quest 3 headsets, immersing the user in the cleanroom, face to face with both the equipment and CNF staff. We have entered into a beta-test deployment during Spring 2025 with the following institutions.

  1. Morgan State University
  2. Georgia Tech
  3. Montana State University
  4. The College of Western Idaho
  5. Tompkins Cortland Community College 

After evaluation of our initial modules and the development of additional modules, we plan to make this content available to a national audience ( Universities, Community Colleges, as well as high schools) via a subscription model. 

In parallel, in partnership with eCornell, Cornell’s on-line learning platform, we are updating our CNF short course content to deliver a more modern and professional learning experience. Together, our VR content and e-Cornell content will deliver a quality learning experience in Micro and Nanotechnology students, users, and professionals regardless of geographic location. 

If you would like additional information, please contact Lynn Rathbun, Ph.D., LCR2@cornell.edu