RINTek will make multiple uses of its laboratory facilities. In addition to applied research, they will be used for educational purposes. By utilizing the capacity of its equipment and resources at a high level, the overall cost to any user will be lower. For example, a technical college may set up a lab with equipment for its nanotechnology curriculum. Until, classes become very large, it is likely the equipment will sit idle for significant periods of time.  The college has the maintenance and other support costs that continue regardless. If the college uses RINTek’s labs, and has the same amount of access, they will incur significant lower costs. That is why we expect to provide capstone training for SET. We are still working out how to do similar efforts with universities.

Educational Institution services to post secondary educational institutions include:

1. Supporting development of statewide nanotechnology programs
2. RINTek will participate in forums that will introduce, promote, and implement nanotechnology-related educational programs in two- and 4-year colleges. For example, we are holding discussions with Winona State University as they begin to develop a 4-year program.
3. Providing technical services for students and interns
4. Researching and identifying trends in workforce development needs based on nanotechnology developments.

RINTek and partner, Minnesota State College, Southeast Technical (MSCST), are collaborating to develop and use curriculum developed under a grant from  the NIH to Dakota County Technical College and MSCST. As a primary part of  this partnership, RINTek will provide the necessary laboratory resources for the capstone portion of the 2-year program.

• The NNI educational goal:

"A five-year goal of the NNI is to ensure that 50% of US research institutions' faculty and students have access to the full range of  nanoscale research facilities, and student access to education in nanoscale science and engineering is enabled in at least 25% of the  research universities." Mihail C. Roco, NSF Senior Advisor for Nanotechnology and NSET Chairman. --From the NNI website

Key Benefits

RINTek's resources can provide a much needed assist to smaller colleges that lack the staff to develop nanotechnology programs by themselves.

Many universities that are part of the National Nanotechnology Inititative are located in large metropolitan areas. Our location allows us to provide similar resources to rural colleges in the tri-state region centered on Rushford. (see map)

Capabilities

Presentations on Nanotechnology

• We can provide informational presentations on many aspects of nanotechnology from the technical to the popular press level. These can be used to promote educational institutions' programs, to seek funding, or to the general public to reach potential students.

We can provide laboratory resources*

Use our laboratory equipment...

• Educational institutions may partner, rent, or lease laboratory resources to meet their needs in providing hands-on training and  exposure to nanotechnology equipment and experiments.

...or use REMOTE ACCESS to save capital equipment costs

• Together with the University of Minnesota, we can bring the remote access capability into the region for educational or scientific purposes. This reduces the cost of learning to use high-technology equipment by not have to purchase it for hands-on learning.

Instruction Aids*

We can provide instructors with specific expertise to augment college staff. We can also provide experimental packages for specific  demonstrations or teaching events.

*These services are planned to be available by the end of 2007, after we have acquired staff and facilities.