Description:  The focus of this Institute is applied rather than basic research, emphasizing the design and development, the metrology, the inspection and testing, and the assembly and production of micron and submicron structures and devices. Related to these microstructures and devices, the following areas are emphasized: sensors, manufacturing techniques, systems, and structures. High priority is given to the transfer of these new technologies to government, academia, and industry and to the education of students, particularly graduate students.

The mission of the Institute is to foster partnerships with industry; to provide diversity in process research and development activities yielding the best miniaturization technologies for the economic manufacturing of small products; to maintain an interdisciplinary and flexible organization capable of adapting to meet the needs of industry; to provide service, education, and curricula development in microfabrication technologies. The Institute for Micromanufacturing is composed of three components.

The focal point is the component for research and development located on the Louisiana Tech University campus in Ruston. A second component is associated with the Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD) in Baton Rouge. This component performs research associated with the x-ray lithography micromachining capability at CAMD. The third component of the Institute is Technology Transfer and Engineering Research. The component is located in Shreveport/Bossier in order to take advantage of the unique opportunities and resources offered in this region. There is strong interaction among the three components of the Institute, and each of the components interacts to varying degrees with universities, industries, and research centers world-wide.

The main research facility is located on the Louisiana Tech University campus in north-central Louisiana. The 41,000 square foot (3,810 square meter) facility includes 20,000 square feet of environmentally controlled laboratory space with the capability for up to 5,000 square feet of cleanrooms. Laboratory and office facilities have been planned for industrial, governmental, or individual academic collaborators. The IfM is the only facility of its kind in the U.S., and industry representatives are encouraged to be resident at the IfM and to use the facilities to develop micromanufacturing processes for their products.

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Web Site:  http://www.latech.edu/tech/engr/ifm/