Northern Arizona University (NAU) has launched the Microelectronics Processing and Characterization Testing (MPaCT) Lab, enhancing its technology capabilities. The lab, situated in the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering, was inaugurated with an $8 million investment from the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Advanced Technology Features
The MPaCT Lab is equipped with advanced technology, including a transmission electron microscope, a photoluminescence spectrometer, and X-ray diffraction tools. It is designed for use by students, faculty, and industry professionals for research and development purposes.
Charles Chadwell, dean of the Sanghi College of Engineering, highlighted the lab’s significance during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Saturday as part of NAU’s Homecoming festivities. He described the facility as a center for science, engineering, technology, and opportunity for the region.
Community and Industry Support
The event attracted a wide array of attendees, including Flagstaff Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet, Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce President Julie Pastrick, and representatives from the Arizona Technology Council, along with alumni and supporters of NAU. NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera and Arizona Commerce Authority President Sandra Watson were also present to celebrate the occasion.
President Cruz Rivera emphasized that the MPaCT Lab is intended to be a living-learning laboratory where students, faculty, and industry partners can collaboratively address real-world challenges. He noted that students would benefit from skills development, mentorship, and professional connections, while companies would gain access to faculty expertise and emerging talent.
Strategic Importance for Arizona
Watson stated that since 2020, Arizona has attracted over 70 semiconductor expansion projects, amounting to more than $319 billion in investment, and underscored the importance of sustaining this momentum. She asserted that world-class universities and cutting-edge research, along with a well-prepared workforce, are vital for the future.
Roger Haro, dean of the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences, remarked on the strategic convergence of strengths that the MPaCT Lab represents for NAU. He noted that it enhances research capabilities across multiple scientific fields and fosters collaboration with external researchers and industry partners.
Source: Northern Arizona University
