News & events
MCN has a strong and connected community of users with whom we share news and events regularly.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in your area of micro and nano-engineering with our quarterly newsletters, video and image galleries as well as our library of peer reviewed publications in which MCN has been acknowledged.
MCN also regularly hosts and sponsors a wide range of events ranging from workshops to seminars for the nanotechnology community. These are a great opportunity to learn from a variety of speakers and network with other users in the MCN community.
News
November 2016
2016 Client Satisfaction Survey now available
We are once again asking users to complete a short survey to provide us with feedback on their experiences with MCN.
End-of-year closing dates
Over the holiday period, MCN will be closed to users from 16 December 2016, to 9 January 2017.
Come and see us at ESTS’16
The ANFF-Vic team will be exhibiting at the Emerging Sensing Technologies Summit 2016 (ESTS’16), held in Melbourne, Australia from 7-9 December 2016.
Blender training days a success!
MCN has been conducting a series of introductory training events for using the Blender suite to create publication quality images.
New case studies available
New case studies are available on the MCN website, looking at research into back-contacted solar cells, wearable sensors, and diamond-coated carbon fibre.
MCN is now on Twitter
MCN has entered the world of Twitter, follow @Nanomelb for the latest news, events, photos and more.
October 2016
New addition to the MCN team
In October 2016, MCN welcomed Dr Guangyuan Si to the team.
September 2016
MCN Toolkits Now Available at Reception!
Thanks to a new initiative lead by Operations & EHS Manager, Dr Paul Spizzirri, hunting for that perfect pair of wafer tweezers or MCN-approved USB stick will no longer be necessary. As of now, you can checkout a toolkit for your personal use by signing one out at reception.
August 2016
2016 ANFF-VIC Technology Fellow Ambassadorships Announced
The core mission of ANFF-VIC and its principal facility, the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN), is to facilitate the integration of micro and nanotechnologies into the R&D activities that support Australian innovation and manufacturing by providing open-access to state of the art instrumentation, training and support.It was with this mission in mind that MCN launched […]
June 2016
MCN is rolling back the clock…
Dear MCN Users, Following the success of our recent end of year sale (2015), The Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication is pleased to announce the reinstatement of a discounted pricing schedule for an extended six month trial period beginning on the 1st July 2016. Details: 25% off all instrument bookings and caps* 20% off staff rates* […]
April 2016
La Trobe and MCN team up for course in microfabrication
For the past three years, La Trobe University and MCN have partnered to hold lab-practical sessions devoted to teaching fundamentals of microfabrication and microfluidics…
March 2016
North Link Visits MCN for Industry Day Workshop
On March 17th, MCN played host to North Link, a regional partnership of industry, education and government established in 1995, for a morning of discussion and tours dedicated to raising local awareness of fabrication and characterization capabilities within ANFF-VIC.
January 2016
MCN’s Conference Season Year End Discount
With holiday and conference season is fast approaching, MCN will be offering a year end 25% discount on all instrument bookings from October 12, 2015 through to January 31, 2016.
December 2015
MCN’s Conference Season Year End Discount
With holiday and conference season is fast approaching, MCN will be offering a year end 25% discount on all instrument bookings from October 12, 2015 through to January 31, 2016.
November 2015
Dr Lachlan Hyde recieves coveted ANFF Frater Award
Congratulations to MCN (ANFF-VIC) Process Engineer, Dr Lachlan Hyde for nabbing a coveted Frater Award at this year’s annual ANFF showcase in Brisbane.
ANZNMF 2016: call for abstracts
The Australia and New Zealand Nano-Microfluidics Symposium (ANZNMF) is always a vibrant meeting, full of exciting talks from local and internationally recognized researchers.
The ANFF-Vic Technology Fellow Ambassador Program
We are excited to announce that the ANFF-Vic Technology Fellow Ambassador Program will kick off in January 2016.
Quarterly recap
Events and farewells from the past quarter here at MCN.
MCN 2015 Client Satisfaction survey
Provide your feedback in the 2015 Client Satisfaction survey to help us better serve you in the future.
A new approach to blood collection
The hemaPENTM is a convenient, portable device for collecting and safely storing blood samples by anyone, anywhere, anytime. We caught up with hemaPEN inventor and former MCN Tech Fellow, Dr Florian Lapierre, to find out more.
MCN 2015/2016 holiday closure
MCN will be closed for year-end shutdown work from 21 December 2015 until 10 January 2016. Access during this period will be granted by special application only.
Noteworthy publications
We highlight work on planar perovskite solar cells, dual-coded plasmene nanosheets, nanoparticle superlattice nanosheets, single-cell patterning, transparent and conductive ZnO films, and plasmonic sensors.
October 2015
MCN’s Conference Season Year End Discount
With holiday and conference season is fast approaching, MCN will be offering a year end 25% discount on all instrument bookings from October 12, 2015 through to January 31, 2016.
The ANFF-Vic Technology Fellow Ambassador Program
We are excited to announce that the ANFF-Vic Technology Fellow Ambassador Program will kick off in January 2016.
August 2015
Record diamond results could show the future of power electronics
Diamond has the potential to make power electronics smaller and more efficient. Research recently undertaken at MCN is a step towards simpler integration of diamond into devices.
MCN User Conference: abstract submission date extended & earlybird tickets closing soon
The deadline to submit abstracts for the MCN User Conference has been extended to Monday 24 August, with earlybird tickets available until Friday 28 August.
New tools at MCN: four-stack horizontal furnace system
MCN has completed commissioning of a four-stack horizontal furnace for operation in the class 10,000 cleanroom, allowing production of unique materials such as silicon nitride.
Overcome challenges in your industry with the MCN AMSI internship program
Industry will have access to highly skilled graduate students and world class facilities as a part of MCN’s new partnership with AMSI Intern.
ISO 9001 certification for MCN
MCN is proud to announce that we have been certified under ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems. This certification demonstrates our commitment to clients, staff and stakeholders in providing top quality facilities, training, equipment and services.
$200 MCN credits up for grabs for correct acknowledgements in publications
Get your work published, correctly acknowledge MCN and ANFF, let our Communications Officer know and get $200 MCN credit for your efforts!
June – what a month!
June was a huge month for us here at MCN, with some of the highest usage numbers we’ve seen to date.
Helium-ion microscopy in nanopatterning of 2D nanomaterials
An MCN Technology Fellow was recently involved in a collaboration pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with helium-ion beams in modification of materials and nanopatterning.
Notable publications
We highlight work on photocatalytic processes, helium-ion microscopy, MoS2 photodetectors, micro-concave waveguide antenna design and miniaturised supercapacitors.
May 2015
MCN launches new website
MCN is pleased to launch a refreshed website, with new content, interactive features and a user-friendly interface which is responsive over desktop, tablet and mobile platforms.
Internship program begins a second semester
Following the success of the current industrial internship program, MCN is now seeking expressions of interest from students and industry partners for participation in this year’s Fabrication Internship Program.
Keynote speaker for User Conference announced
MCN’s inaugural User Conference is now just four months away and we are pleased to announce the first of our keynote speakers for the event.
Next generation pathogen detection with lab-on-a-chip platforms
Detection of pathogens is critical for disease diagnosis, food safety control, water quality monitoring and homeland security. Traditional detection methods are time consuming and complex – a portable lab on a chip enables fast and simple pathogen detection.
Artificial leaves enhance light to energy conversion
The chemical industry relies heavily on fossil fuel derived energy for carrying out chemical processes. A more sustainable and desirable prospect is to harvest sunlight for doing chemistry and transform this industry into a solar chemical manufacturing industry.
Diamond systems produce shining results
MCN’s twin Seki diamond deposition systems have been in operation for almost 12 months. In that time, they have been utilised for some exciting projects by the MCN and University of Melbourne tool experts.
We’re hiring!
Are you looking for an exciting role, working in communications in a progressive scientific field? MCN is currently searching for a Marketing and Communications Officer.
New capabilities at MCN
New capabilities at MCN include a four stack furnace, automated wetbench suite and nanobuilder software on MCN’s FIB-SEM.
High profile guests tour MCN
In the first quarter of 2015, MCN had several high profile tour groups through the centre, including the NCRIS review panel.
A collaborative space for start-ups
Are you starting up a small business in Melbourne’s South East? The Monash Enterprise Centre could help you establish yourself as a professional business.
MCN at National Manufacturing Week
National Manufacturing Week (NMW) will be taking place next week at the Melbourne Convention Centre from 26-29 May 2015. Come say hi, inspect our displays and take away an MCN keep cup.
Noteworthy publications
We highlight work on plasmene SERS substrates, eSkin nanopatches, hybrid graphene perovskite phototransistors and more.
February 2015
Ultra-thin Plasmene offers new scope for sensing devices and nano electronics
A new 2D nano-material, Plasmene has the potential for significant advancements in both sensing devices and nanoelectronics due to its unique plasmonic functions, robust nature, and ability to be folded into geometric origami constructs.
MCN user conference – save the date!
MCN will hold it’s inaugural User Conference on September 16 and 17 this year. Designed to engage our user community, we invite all users to save the date!
ANZNMF call for abstract submissions
The 6th Australia and New Zealand Nano Microfluidics Symposium in Melbourne on March 31 to April 2. Submissions are now invited for poster and oral presentations.
ANFF Design House adds IntelliSuite
ANFF Design House has now grown to incorporate a fourth software suite – IntelliSuite. Covering all aspects of the MEMS design cycle, IntelliSuite provides a groundbreaking, end-to-end software solution for MEMS professionals.
New instruments and capabilities at MCN
MCN has recently installed a Pico Track PCT-150RRE. Other new capabilities include new functionality on the thermal evaporation system and a ICnanoS2 scanning ion conductance microscope.
Symposium on 2D nanomaterials 2015
This two-day event provides an ideal networking opportuity for researchers to communicate on their latest research results and establish collaborations in the areas of 2D nanomaterials.
User satisfaction survey results
Thank you to all of our users who took the time to respond to our annual user satisfaction survey. We are pleased to announce positive results across the board.
Kicking things up a notch
It’s not often you’ll hear your boss saying, “come on, punch me harder,” but at MCN this is a weekly occurence.
Noteworthy publications
We highlight work on organic solar cells, the morphology of high efficiency polymer solar cells, and “vibration-induced deagglomeration of carbon nanotubes.
November 2014
Internship program connects with industry at MCN
MCN’s internship program has hit the ground running with four interns recently joined MCN’s professionl staff. About the program, Managing Director Dwayne Kirk said, “this is highly beneficial for indsutry because it’s quick and easy for them to access additional specialists.”
Technology Fellow receives VC award for research excellence
MCN Technology Fellow, Dr. Alexey Glushenkov from Deakin University who recently received the VC Award for Research Excellence has undertaken some exciting work at MCN, using ALD to achieve highly conformal coatings of aluminum oxide on boron nitride.
Fighting resistance to antibiotics
As resistance to antibiotics is becoming increasingly common, it has become even more important to understand the mechanism by which they work on bacterial cells and to develop new antibiotics which can be used agaisnt ’super bugs.’
ANFF Design House workshops
In a whirl-wind tour, Dr. Mary Ann Maher, the president and CEO of SoftMEMS, and Karen Lujan of Tanner EDA taught workshops in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney during October.
Successful ARC grant funds new equipment
Through generous contributions by MCN partner institutions, as well as two successful Australian Research Council (ARC) grants, the MCN has been able to install new imaging and characterisation equipment.
Watch MCN in action – new video online
MCN is pleased to share a new About us video, which captures the mission and vision of the centre and showcases the world-class facilities available to users.
2014 holiday and shutdown dates
MCN will close to users and clients on Friday 12th December and will reopen on Monday 12th January. We would like to wish all of our colleagues and friends a safe and happy holiday season!
New faces at MCN – Abu, Kishan and Chantelle
MCN welcomes three new staff members to our ever-growing team!
Noteworthy publications
We highlight work on super soft hydrogel particles with tunable elasticity, giant plasmene nanosheets, nanomachine driving the assembly of proteins into bacterial outer membranes, and ultrabroadband plasmonic absorbers.
July 2014
Seminar series highlights
May and June were busy months at MCN with three fantastic seminars engaging academic, industry and government audiences alike. For a summary of the speakers and their presentations
5S training and induction refreshers
Coinciding with MCN’s bi-annual induction refreshers (running 1-5 September), MCN will also be running a training sesion available to all users, which highlights the new Lean and 5S programs in place around the facility. A must for all users!
A spotlight on electronic skins
Flexible electronics and lightweight pressure sensing devices are expanding the boundaries of technology into electronic skins. Researchers from Monash University have developed a flexible pressure sensor with a future for electronic skins.
New furnace and optical profilometer
To compliment the high temperature furnace facility already available at the MCN, a new four-stack horizontal furnace is currently being installed, while a Bruker Contour GT-I optical profilometer is the first of its kind in Australia.
COMS conference 2014
The commercialization of Micro, Nano and Emerging Technologies Conference will be held this year in Salt Lake City, Utah from 12 – 15 October.
Technology fellow presentations online
A selection of presentations from the MCN’s Technology Fellow presentations are now available to view online.
Technical interns wanted
MCN is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced candidates for an internship program.
New faces at MCN – Shan and Gediminas
MCN welcomes two new staff members, Shan and Gediminas.
Noteworthy publications
We highlight work on phase transformation in laser-induced micro-explosions, tunable porosity gradients in hydrogel-based scaffolds, core-spun carbon nanotube yarn supercapacitors, amongst other work.
April 2014
Research into zinc oxide nanoparticles allays sunscreen concerns
Researchers from MCN, The Australian Synchrotron, CSIRO, RMIT and Monash University have showcased ground breaking characterisation techniques which were used to enable research into the human immune response to zinc oxide nanoparticles. The team was able to observe the immune cells breaking down the zinc oxide nanoparticles as they moved deeper into the cell.
FIB-SEM microgripper success
The installment of the Kleindiek Lift-Out Shuttle on the MCN Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope has helped a Monash PhD student achieve what was not possible with months of previous work.
2014 seminar series
The MCN’s new seminar series launched last week with a successful Technology Fellow Showcase! The upcoming seminars are themed: diamond synthesis applications and grand opening; 5 industry case studies; and a PhD Frenzy.
New tabletop SEM installed
To assist cleanroom users with faster Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) characterisation, a tabletop SEM has recently been installed within the Class 10,000 cleanroom space.
Visiting plasmonics experts
Visiting world experts in plasmonics, Professor Harold Giessen and Dr Laura Na Liu recently enlightened audiences at MCN.
Image of the year winner announced
The MCN wishes to congratulate Dr. Florian Lapierre for his winning image in last year’s Image of the Year Competition, PolyHIPE.
MCN at ICONN 2014
The start of February saw MCN and ANFF attend the International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechology (ICONN). The ANFF booth was alive with discussion and activity.
New faces at MCN – Bernie Orelup
MCN welcomes our new senior process engineer, Bernie Orelup.
Virtual tour of MCN cleanroom
If you’ve ever been curious about what the inside of the MCN’s world-class cleanroom looks like, or if you’ve wanted to share the experience with your friends and colleagues, you can now do so with a virtual tour.
Travel support for MCN users available
MCN is pleased to now offer financial travel assistance to those academic clients whose primary institute is located more than 40km from MCN.
Upcoming events and dates
Find out more about MCN’s upcoming events.
Noteworthy publications
We highlight work on wearable and highly sensitive pressure sensors and effects of GDNF-loaded injectable gelatin-based hydrogels on endogenous neural progenitor cell migration.
