Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center: An Experience in Building a Multi-Disciplinary Research Facility Overseas

Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) is developed with approximately 30 M$ and started its operations in June 2011. The center provides valuable additional capabilities to the existing research infrastructure of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences of Sabanci University. The high- tech facility is designed to support cutting-edge scientific and technological research related to nanotechnologies including advanced materials, nano-biotechnology, nano-medicine, nano- electronics, micro-nano fluidics, nano-mechanics, nano-optics, micromachining, micro and nano systems and alternative energy sources. The construction process took about 18 months from groundbreaking to commissioning. Many difficulties were overcome during the construction process resulting from multidisciplinary labs, large variety of high-tech equipment and due to the regional issues. Most of the support systems and many of the equipment were installed in Turkey for the first time. The university team and the contractors for construction, mechanical and electrical went through fast on-the-job learning. Long delivery times required predicting potential design issues ahead of time to avoid costly delays. With a contributing team of 40 faculty members, about 40 post-doctoral researchers, and hundreds of Ph.D. students, the Center is now engaged in research programs, bringing together different researchers to address applications in electronics, healthcare, construction, the environment, and agriculture and food industries. The center is encouraging collaboration with industry, other universities and research institutions.