For the past ten years, the Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology has been creating and studying some of the smallest materials in existence.
Big Discoveries at the Smallest Scale
Made possible by a gift from Krishna P. Singh, the Singh Center for Nanotechnology celebrates its 10-year anniversary
Published: October 26, 2023
With over 100 advanced laboratory tools, including the most powerful microscopes in Philadelphia, the Singh Center and its cutting-edge facilities have become a hub for scientific discovery.
Scientists are coming together at the Center to explore the world at the atomic level. Thanks to the vision and support of Krishna P. Singh, GME’69, GR’72, advances in targeted medicine, the fabrication of nanomaterials, and computers powered by nanotechnology have moved from idea to reality. From new materials that increase the capacity of microprocessors to improved biointerfaces between electronic and living systems, the breakthroughs at the Center are opening up new frontiers.
“Penn’s Singh Center is the only facility in the Philadelphia region where you can find engineers, scientists and students of all levels, working side by side, toward a common goal: to harness the infinite world that lies beyond our vision,” says Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering.
There are solutions in nanoscience that can help us with some of today’s most pressing challenges, such as health care, energy, and climate change. Researchers from Penn and around the world can collaborate across disciplines to delve into the fundamental nature of our world.”Krishna P. Singh, GME’69, GR’72, founder, president, and CEO of Holtec International
In the first decade of the Singh Center’s existence, it has become a nexus for nanotechnology in the mid-Atlantic region. Through its participation in the National Science Foundation’s National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure program, it has become a key resource in this field.
The Center has also become a launching pad for startup companies with its Innovation Seed Grant Program that offers grants to interested parties to access the Center’s state-of-the-art, nanotechnology-related tools and equipment to build their own nanotech prototypes. In the past ten years, the program has led to nearly $80 million in small company funding.
In addition, through the Singh Center’s educational coordination with the Community College of Philadelphia, it has provided internships to students and an on-ramp for the training of technicians in nanotechnology. This partnership allows for hands-on learning and specialized training for careers in the sciences for students throughout the area.
The entrance to the Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology.
“Looking ahead, Penn will continue to take center stage in shaping the future of nanotechnology,” says Mark Allen, Scientific Director of the Singh Center and Alfred Fitler Moore Professor in Electrical and Systems Engineering in Penn Engineering. “The Center is forming new partnerships with local industry and is pushing the boundaries of nano-driven research in the life sciences, quantum materials, sensors, computing hardware, the Internet of Things, and more.”
At the Singh Center, advances are right under our noses. You just might need a powerful microscope to see them.
