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Introducing Nanotechnology Education within Industrial Engineering Curriculum 1. Introduction

Industrial engineering (IE) programs are concerned with the design, improvement and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment and energy [1]. An important part of industrial engineering curriculum focuses on product/process design and optimization. The undergraduate course work within the manufacturing curriculum at North Carolina A&T State University focuses on hands-on laboratory machine-tool instruction, computer aided design & manufacturing and systems levels production control. Specifically, we offer three sequential manufacturing courses namely; INEN 246: Industrial Production Processes, INEN 324: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, INEN 446: Automation and Production Systems. In addition, students interested in manufacturing specialization chose a technical elective INEN 632: Robotics Systems and Applications towards their BS degree. The INEN 246: Industrial Production Processes course covers traditional manufacturing processes including metal casting, forming, material removal and joining. This is followed up with computer aided design and control of machine tools within the INEN 324: Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing course. Finally, students are instructed on the automation and integration of manufacturing systems within INEN 446: Automation and Production Systems. The manufacturing coursework within our IE program is focused around macro and meso scale manufacturing technologies. However, with the ever shrinking sizes of devices, there is a renewed interest to study manufacturing processes at the micro and nano scales. Given the rapid advancement in the micro and nano processes it is imperative that we educate our students in manufacturing processes along varying length scales. Over the past year we have introduced micro and nanotechnology modules within two courses. This includes a mandatory undergraduate level course (INEN 324: CADCAM) where micro and nano manufacturing modules are developed. In addition, we have supplemented a combined graduate level and senior elective course (INEN 632: Robotics Systems and Applications) with modules in MEMS (micro- electro-mechanical systems), micro and nano robotics. In this paper we discuss our experiences and insights drawn by introducing supplementary learning and experimental content within traditional IE courses. Key features include, teaming undergraduate and graduate students in multidisciplinary projects, exposure of these students to state-of-the-art micro and nano research facility at NC A&T SU, outreach to local schools and lectures to K-12 and prospective college students. Student feedback coupled with ABET course evaluation indicates a favorable response and strong demand for the introduction of Nano and Micro technologies within a traditional IE program.

2. Introduction of Micro and Nano Modules within Manufacturing Curriculum

Nano and micro modules were introduced in two courses described below. Each of these modules was instructed over a three week period with two lecture series of 1hr 15 mins per week. For each of these modules the instructor covered core concepts of nanomaterials and unique phenomena at the nanoscale during the first week. This extended the basic physics and chemistry courses taken by the Industrial engineering students specifically towards nanotechnology applications. The authors believe that instead of offering standalone nano and

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Desai, S., & Pai, D., & Sankar, J. (2007, June), Introducing Micro/Nanotechnology Education Within The Industrial And Systems Engineering Curriculum Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2479