Designing Sustainable Nanotechnology Research Facilities

Curt D. Finfrock, Vice President, M+W Zander U.S. Operations, Inc.

Abstract:

Laboratory facilities supporting nanotechnology research and development are being designed for clients in government, university and industry throughout the United States and abroad. These facilities are intended to foster unique scientific developments in areas such as materials science, medicine, and electronics-all at the scale of one-hundred-thousandth of the width of a human hair! This emerging building type is characterized by a combination of cleanroom laboratories, multi-disciplinary conventional laboratories, extensive laboratory support systems and various ancillary program requirements. Due to the exceptionally high energy demands required to accommodate laboratory cleanliness classifications and hazardous chemical usage, energy efficiency and environmental performance are critical to the design of nanotechnology facilities.

The proposed presentation will be offered in a case study format featuring the Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory and the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences at Oakridge National Laboratory. These two Department of Energy (DOE) projects are currently in the design phase and will be nearing construction toward the end of 2002. Both projects are being programmed and designed to optimize sustainable practices to the highest degree feasible within project constraints. The presentation will be organized to address the following:

• Overview and Key Characteristics of Nanotechnology
• Research Facilities
• Summary of Typical Energy Demands Compared to Conventional Laboratories
• Sustainable Design Strategies (Case Study Examples)
• Opportunities for Future Design Development and Improvement

The presentation will focus on the most promising sustainable options evaluated and incorporated by the design team, including building siting/enclosure, air cascading, fuel cells as an alternative energy source, office/laboratory day lighting and alternative recycled materials.

Biography:

Curt D. Finfrock, AIA, an architect with 22 years of experience, is Vice President and Director of Architecture for M+W Zander U.S. Operations, Inc. He has spent the last 15 years designing research laboratory and other advanced technology facilities. In addition to the Center for Nanoscale Materials and Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, he is currently Design Principal for the $1.4 billion Spallation Neutron Source in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and has recently completed master planning for ten Environmental Protection Agency laboratories located throughout the United States.

M+W Zander is a 90-year-old firm serving clients worldwide who require advanced clean research, prototyping and manufacturing facilities.

M+W Zander serves clients from four primary U.S. office locations in Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Phoenix, with satellites in four other areas of the country. The corporate headquarters of its parent company, M+W Zander AG, is in Stuttgart, Germany.