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The purpose of the MCN is to fill the gap in Australia for open access, multi-scale fabrication infrastructure, spanning a range of fabrication environments and materials. MCN will provide the means to produce complex micro and nano-science based demonstration devices using an array of tools. MCN will comprise biological and non-biological fabrication techniques, for example electron beam lithography, focused ion-beam lithography, photolithography, embossing and deposition (self-assembly); as well as systems integration capabilities such as bonding, biological spotting and microfluidics, all housed within dedicated new laboratories and clean rooms.
The outputs of the MCN will predominantly be a range of devices and integrated systems in the environmental and medical sensors areas, including microfluidics and basic micro electromechanical systems (MEMS), and the solar cell and energy areas.
The MCN will also support a range of emerging technology areas and the production of non-traditional devices (e.g. complex diffractive elements and bio-medical sensors).
MCN will attract international collaborations to provide additional capabilities to local users and to position it to set a benchmark for operations and future investment.
The facility is open on a national and international basis to research and industry users who also have access to contiguous laboratory environments to work with other scientific disciplines and institutions. The goal is to maximize cross-disciplinary interaction on a national and international basis.
The importance of fabrication has been recognised nationally through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme (NCRIS) funded Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF). The Victorian Node of ANFF is the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN) and is a collaborative initiative between the following research parties:
- Monash University
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Deakin University
- LaTrobe University
- Swinburne University
- University of Melbourne
- RMIT University
