The mission of the Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing (CHM) is to be a leading research and education center for the development of efficient process platforms and versatile tools for nanomanufacturing and the integration of components and systems across multiple length scales. The approach integrates nanofabrication processes for sub-100 nm elements based on directed self-assembly, nanoimprint lithography, direct printing of patterned metal oxide device structures, and conformal deposition at the nanoscale to yield materials and devices with unprecedented performance for applications including computing, energy conversion and storage, advanced optical and photonic materials and human health. The first five years of the CHM (DMR-0531171) included a focus on Si wafer-based technologies and batch processing to impact devices produced using semiconductor industry production platforms.  The second phase of the Center (CMMI-1025020, this award) included a focus on large area and/or high-rate roll-to-roll (R2R)-based production platforms to more closely align the benefits of nanoscale engineering with the acceptable manufacturing costs of commercializable technologies. Together these efforts yielded well over 500 publications in leading journals with over 18,000 citations that documented and disseminated CHM outcomes to the academic and industry communities. The CHM effort was made comprehensive by research on device design, modeling, and prototype testing with functional architectures that take best advantage of the specific hierarchical nanomanufacturing capabilities developed by the Center. The bridge to high-volume process technology was accomplished through collaborations with leading industry partners and with academic centers of excellence, and was demonstrated through system-level test beds.  CHM partnerships with commercial fabrication tool and process suppliers provided a mechanism by which these techniques were distributed for use by the nanomanufacturing community. 

The CHM hosted and facilitated the National Nanomanufacturing Network (NNN). The NNN is a catalyst for nanomanufacturing-based economic development and research collaboration, a network of manufacturing facilities and expertise, a dynamic web-based information clearinghouse, and a pathway for university-industry-government partnerships. Efforts within the NNN included InterNano, a freely accessible digital library and information clearinghouse on nanomanufacturing. The NNN coordinated strategic workshops on emerging areas in nanomanufacturing research and nanoinformatics.

The CHM played a central role in the education and training of large numbers of graduate, undergraduate and K-12 students and post-doctoral fellows from diverse backgrounds who will go on to drive advances in science and technology to benefit the nation and our society.  The work of more than 250 graduate students was supported by the CHM either directly or indirectly through collaboration. The CHM’s strategy included the development of educational materials for various audiences and levels, training K-12 teachers in nanotechnology curriculum development, piloting and disseminating educational content within the U.S. community college community, and deepening undergraduate training in nanotechnology through research experiences.   The CHM ran a highly successful Annual Summer Institute in Nanoscience for K-12 science teachers that provided 9 nanotechnology modules that could be replicated in classrooms throughout our schools.

The CHM collaborated with more than 25 academic institutions and approximately 50 companies and research institutes.  CHM research led to more than 50 patent applications and CHM technology has been licensed in fields ranging from energy storage to advanced optical materials to functional surfaces, is in manufacturing in commercial products, and has yielded several start-up companies. CHM research has catalyzed significant investments in research and facilities that leverage the Center’s funding and advances.  The second phase of CHM funding ($20M, CMMI-1025020) was leveraged more than 2:1 by matching  funds, and federal, industry, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts research programs and investments ($41.5M), thereby multiplying the CHM’s impact.

CHM test-bed activities included the development of R2R tools for nanomanufacturing. CHM advances led to significant capital investments from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that included a world-class Advanced Print and Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing (APRM) Demonstration Facility through the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring (CPHM) and the Institute of Applied Life Sciences (IALS) at UMass Amherst. This globally unique facility offers cutting edge, state-of-the-art, and, in some cases, one-of-a-kind tools to translate laboratory advances to scaled processes to industry accessible platforms.  As an open access manufacturing demonstration facility, it enables partner companies and institutions a low risk opportunity to explore the scalability of emerging technologies developed at UMass or elsewhere, along with their own developments, to establish viable pathways to products and commercialization.  The APRM is cross-cutting in terms of technologies and applications. As one example it now serves as a node in the NEXTFlex National Network for Manufacturing Innovation Center for the development of next generation printed and hybrid electronics.

CHM advances and establishment of our unique manufacturing demonstration facility have positioned the center for long term sustainability post-NSF funding.  The center now continues as the Institute for Hierarchical Manufacturing (IHM).  Over this past calendar year the IHM realized over $1.1M in Federal support (primarily DOD) and more than $750,000 in industry support derived from advances directly related to CHM research.

Last Modified: 02/07/2019
Modified by: James J Watkins