About the CHM

The Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing is an NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC). The mission of The Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing (CHM) at the University of Massachusetts is to be a leading research and education center for the development of efficient, cost effective process platforms and versatile tools for the two and three dimensional integration of components and systems across multiple length scales. The approach integrates nanofabrication processes for sub-30 nm elements based on directed self-assembly, additive-driven assembly, nanoimprint lithography, high fidelity 3-D polymer template replication, and conformal deposition at the nanoscale with Si wafer technologies or high-rate roll-to-roll (R2R) based production tools to yield materials and devices with unprecedented performance for computing, energy conversion and human health. The CHM effort is made comprehensive by research on device design, modeling and prototype testing in functional architectures that takes advantage of the specific hierarchical nanomanufacturing capabilities developed by the Center.

The critical challenge for the nanotechnology R&D community is the transition from laboratory innovation and discovery to efficient, cost-effective manufacturing of nanostructured components, devices, and systems. While a strong foundation of outstanding fundamental science is a prerequisite, hierarchical manufacturing requires approaches to products and processes that are built from enabling technical advantages that are scalable to high-volume manufacturing and that have multiple paths to commercialization. The CHM was established to address these formidable challenges in a comprehensive way, while providing a framework for knowledge sharing, collaboration, information distribution, and early identification of emerging technical and societal trends.

The bridge to high-volume process technology is accomplished through collaborations with leading industry partners and with academic centers of excellence in process technology and is demonstrated through system-level test beds. CHM partnerships with commercial fabrication tool and process suppliers provide a mechanism by which these techniques may be widely distributed for use by the broader nanomanufacturing community. Technology transfer is aided by proactive opportunity and application identification, facilitated engagement with potential partners and establishment of a unique facility for the R2R production of functional nanostructured hybrid materials and devices. This facility includes new process tools developed in cooperation with our industry partners.

The Center's educational programs reach K-12, community college, undergraduate, graduate students and the general public while the Center champions diverse participation at all levels of education and NSEC operations.

Finally, the CHM’s mission includes collaboration and cyberinfrastructure activities through a National Nanomanufacturing Network and a digital library-based nanomanufacturing clearinghouse.

University of Massachusetts NSF Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing
374 Lederle Graduate Research Center
710 N. Pleasant Street
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Tel: (413) 545-1334
Fax: (413) 577-0165
Email: chm@research.umass.edu

Director Dr. James J. Watkins
Dept. of Polymer Science & Engineering
Room A610
Conte Research Center
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Tel: (413) 545-2569
Fax: (413) 545-2873
Email: watkins@polysci.umass.edu

Co-Director Dr. Mark T. Tuominen
Dept. of Physics
402 Hasbrouck
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
Tel: (413) 545-1944
email: tuominen@physics.umass.edu

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this web site are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.