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News

  • Kieran Nehil-Puleo, Interdisciplinary Materials Science Graduate Student

    Dissertation Defense: Kieran Nehil-Puleo, Interdisciplinary Materials Science

    DISSERTATION DEFENSE Kieran Nehil-Puleo, Interdisciplinary Materials Science *under the supervision of Peter Cummings “Towards virtual autonomous material design” 3.4.26 | 3:00 pm | 134 Olin Hall | Zoom Virtual autonomous material design is a computational paradigm in which artificial intelligence, high-throughput simulations, and adaptive optimization algorithms work together… Read More

    Feb. 27, 2026

  • Group photo of VINSE NanoGuides in lab wearing rainbow tie-dye lab coats, April 2024

    VINSE Receives Community Partnership Excellence Award from Vanderbilt Compliance Services

    The Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, represented by Sarah Ross, has received the Community Partnership Excellence Award from Vanderbilt Compliance Services in recognition of its longstanding commitment to collaboration, education, and responsible community engagement. The award honors programs that exemplify meaningful partnership in higher education. In its official… Read More

    Feb. 26, 2026

  • KLayout software example

    VINSE Transitions from L-Edit to KLayout for Cleanroom CAD

    VINSE offers customized photolithography patterning for direct-write or photomask applications. Tanner [Siemens] L-Edit IC software is a CAD package capable of complex, multi-layer layout editing for cleanroom tools such as the Bungard photoplotter, Heidelberg uPG101 laser writer, Raith eLine electron beam lithography system [EBL], and the future Elionix ELS-BODEN 50… Read More

    Feb. 22, 2026

  • BMECs subcultured on 6 kPa and 30 kPa GEL substrates under static conditions express CD31/PECAM-1 (red), claudin-5 (green). Merged images include DAPI (blue).

    Spotlight Publication: “Substrate stiffness and shear stress collectively regulate the inflammatory phenotype in cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells” published in Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

    BMECs subcultured on 6 kPa and 30 kPa GEL substrates under static conditions express CD31/PECAM-1 (red), claudin-5 (green). Merged images include DAPI (blue). Congratulations to Alexis Yates in the Lippmann lab! Dr. Yates article “Substrate stiffness and shear stress collectively regulate the inflammatory phenotype in cultured human brain microvascular endothelial… Read More

    Feb. 16, 2026

  • Headshots of VINSE graduating tech crew seniors: Ella, Carson, Parker, Jenna, and Rafael

    Celebrating the Achievements of VINSE’s Graduating Tech Crew Members

    VINSE is proud to recognize several outstanding members of the Tech Crew from the Class of 2026 whose dedication, curiosity, and service have made a lasting impact on cleanroom operations, research, and outreach. Their contributions support the daily success of VINSE and reflect the collaborative spirit at the heart of… Read More

    Feb. 14, 2026

  • EcoMet 30 and sample

    Ecomet 30 Bringing Semi-automatic Polishing to VINSE

    The Buehler Ecomet 30 is a new grinding and polishing system located in VINSE’s specimen preparation laboratory. This tool enables both manual polishing of devices and materials and automatic polishing of resin-embedded samples. Rapid, but controlled material removal is achieved by varying the grit… Read More

    Feb. 13, 2026

  • Courtney Ragle headshot

    Spotlight on Courtney Ragle: Advancing Nonlinear Spectroscopy

    Courtney Ragle Graduate Student, Interdisciplinary Materials Science Lauren Buchanan Research Group When I started graduate school, I knew I wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the scientific community, but I wasn’t exactly sure how. During my undergraduate years, I realized my passion lies in research. After… Read More

    Feb. 13, 2026

  • Lebanon High School students and chaperones pose in cleanroom suites during the Microfluidics Lab outreach field trip on February 12, 2026.

    Tiny Pipes, Big Discoveries: Lebanon High School Students Explore Microfluidics Lab

    How can differences in designs alter the behavior of the fluid? On Thursday, February 12, 2026, VINSE welcomed 16 students from Lebanon High School to our Cleanroom Microfluidics Lab. They went inside the VINSE cleanroom, home of the cleanest air in Middle Tennessee, and found out with hands-on activities! The students… Read More

    Feb. 12, 2026

  • Ion Wave 10 equipment

    Ion Wave 10 Returns to the VINSE Cleanroom

    VINSE is pleased to announce that the Ion Wave 10 Batch Plasma System has been successfully repaired and returned to service in the VINSE cleanroom. The Ion Wave 10 is a microwave plasma processing system that delivers higher ion and radical densities at lower substrate bias voltages than traditional RF… Read More

    Feb. 12, 2026

  • Asheley Chapman headshot

    VINSE Welcomes Asheley Chapman

    Starting in January 2026, Dr. Asheley Chapman joined Vanderbilt University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Asheley’s research strengthens Vanderbilt’s efforts at the interface of nanotechnology, immunology, and translational medicine.  … Read More

    Feb. 12, 2026