51����

Kaitlyn Gallagher Graduate Student, Microbe-Host Interactions Lacy Research Group During my undergraduate studies, I investigated the function of bacterial proteins involved in biological nitrogen fixation. Although my research was cut short by the pandemic, I knew I wanted to study protein-protein interactions and gain more hands-on experience before… Read More

A crime scene may look ordinary at first glance, but science can uncover clues hidden in plain sight! On Thursday, October 15th, VINSE welcomed 15 students from Gallatin High School to our Forensics Lab. Students became forensic investigators for the day, using Raman, FTIR, absorption, and photoluminescence spectroscopy to examine… Read More

2D materials are a relatively new class of materials that can exhibit unique behavior because of their finite thickness. Classic processing approaches, like the Scotch™ tape method, take advantage of the weak Van der Waals forces between the layers, enabling the separation and deposition of 2D sheets onto a variety… Read More

The VINSE cleanroom has expanded its photoresist catalog for micro/nanofabrication.  Over the summer, VINSE Tech Crew member Elsa Fong helped develop operating parameters for UniLOR N, a negative-tone resist for single-layer liftoff processes, complementing the positive-tone resists already in use, such as LOR.  UniLOR N will replace NR9 in the… Read More

This morning, VINSE celebrated National Nanotechnology Day, an annual opportunity to recognize the science, innovation, and people working at the nanometer scale (10⁻⁹ meters). The date – 10/9 – is a tribute to the nanoscale and a chance to highlight our community of researchers, students, faculty, and staff whose… Read More

Twenty-two high schools from ten counties across Middle Tennessee are participating in the VINSE High School Field Trip Program for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. The program offers students the opportunity to explore nanoscale science and engineering beyond the classroom through hands-on lessons in the VINSE cleanroom. Each visiting… Read More

VINSE NanoGuides Darby Heffer and Madison Walker were recognized through the American Chemical Society (ACS) Graduate Student Recognition Program at ACS Fall 2026. The program recognizes graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for exemplary achievements in leadership and service within the chemical sciences. Heffer was… Read More

VINSE brought nanoscale science to life at the 2026 Tennessee Maker Fest on September 26, hosted by the Wond’ry at Vanderbilt University. Through interactive demonstrations led by VINSE NanoGuides, visitors explored how nanoscale science and fabrication techniques shape the technologies around us. Festival-goers participated in three hands-on activities showcasing… Read More

DISSERTATION DEFENSE Theodore Anyika, Electrical and Computer Engineering *under the supervision of Justus Ndukaife “Multiphysics Nanotweezers for Manipulation and Characterization of Individual Nanoparticles: From Nanoplastics to Extracellular Vesicles” 9.29.26 | 10:00 am | 308 Featheringill Hall | Zoom Devices that enable single-particle trapping, manipulation, and characterization have become… Read More

Emma Bartelsen Graduate Student, Interdisciplinary Materials Science Caldwell Research Group I was inspired to pursue research in nanophotonics after taking Introduction to Spectroscopic Methods with my advisor, Dr. Joshua Caldwell. Learning how light–matter interactions allow us to probe materials, manipulate light, and develop technologies for sensing, communications,… Read More