The intersection of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology has opened new frontiers in remote education, as demonstrated by MIT.nano's innovative virtual learning platform. Did you know that a stationary human releases approximately 100,000 particles measuring 500 nanometers or larger every minute? During physical activity, this number skyrockets to 10 million particles per minute, explains Jorg Scholvin, assistant director of user services for Fab.nano.
This fundamental principle drives the strict protocols in MIT.nano's cleanroom environment, meticulously maintained to contain fewer than 100 such particles per cubic foot of air. Researchers must don full-body protective suits and specialized garments to preserve the pristine conditions essential for cutting-edge nanoscale research and AI-driven experimentation.
Scholvin shared these insights during a groundbreaking virtual tour series, part of five innovative courses showcasing the extensive capabilities of MIT.nano's AI-enhanced facilities. Launched during MIT's Independent Activities Period (IAP), these courses—several returning this semester—featured live nanofabrication demonstrations, virtual classes on 360-degree photography, biomechanics in everyday life, and science communication storytelling, all enhanced by artificial intelligence technologies.
Behind the Scenes: AI-Powered Nanotechnology Facilities
The three-part virtual tour series welcomed 56 attendees into MIT.nano's state-of-the-art facilities. Using a camera mounted on a rolling tripod combined with creative filming techniques, Scholvin guided Zoom participants through the cleanroom, drawing parallels between its layout and a grocery store's organization: research bays function like shopping aisles, while equipment chases resemble product shelves.
During the second session, Scholvin partnered with Anna Osherov, assistant director for user services at Characterization.nano, to explore the nanoscale imaging suites located in MIT.nano's basement level. Participants discovered the meticulous planning behind creating an ultra-stable environment for nano-characterization tools, including a compelling vibration demonstration featuring the plinth—a 50,000-pound concrete slab balanced on springs four feet above ground, creating an isolated platform for ultrasensitive microscopes that supports machine learning applications in nanotechnology.
The concluding tour, led by MIT.nano Assistant Director for Infrastructure Nick Menounos, provided virtual access to the facility's operational backbone. Attendees virtually navigated through the mechanical penthouse, basement water preparation area, centralized gas delivery system, and a freight elevator capable of transporting equipment equivalent in size to 14,000 large pizzas—showcasing the immense infrastructure enabling AI-driven nanoscale experimentation.
Following this series, Scholvin conducted a specialized class on thin-film deposition, lithography, and etching processes at micro- and nanoscales. Participants virtually observed as Scholvin worked in the cleanroom to expose, develop, and etch screenshots of Zoom workshop attendees—along with "secret" messages etched in letters under one millimeter tall—onto a 100-nanometer thin gold film on a silicon wafer. "Witnessing actual fabrication processes made this technology truly accessible," noted one attendee. "Gaining virtual access to these laboratory processes has been an unparalleled educational experience."
Bridging Physical and Digital Realms with AI
MIT.nano's Immersion Lab pioneered an innovative approach to student engagement by delivering hands-on experiences directly to participants' homes. For the course "Creating, Editing, and Distributing 360 Photography"—facilitated by Rus Gant, director of the Harvard Visualization Research and Teaching Laboratory, and Samantha Farrell, MIT.nano senior administrative assistant—the institution loaned each participant a 360-degree camera, a Quest 2 virtual reality (VR) headset, and a monopod, creating immersive AI learning experiences.
The course commenced with comprehensive overviews of virtual reality theory and technologies, alongside a historical journey through immersive art and panoramic photography from the pre-Civil War era to today. The format then shifted to workshop-style learning, with students generating content in their personal environments, ranging from 360-degree nature photography to videos that transport viewers directly into the scene via VR headsets.
"Gaining hands-on experience with tools including 360 cameras, Photoshop/Premiere Pro, and VR headsets has empowered me to pursue independent 360 projects in the future," shared one participant. Virtual reality developer Luis Zanforlin, part of a team awarded an MIT.nano Immersion Lab Gaming Program seed grant in 2020, created a film featuring himself socializing with friends during the Covid-19 pandemic. Zanforlin utilized a Ricoh Theta V 360 camera, monopod, and Adobe Premiere editing software to produce the video, optimized for viewing using an Oculus Quest headset.
"Biomechanics in Everyday Life," another IAP offering organized by the Immersion Lab, investigated human movement through cardio exercise, yoga, and meditation. The four-session course, co-sponsored by MIT's Clinical Research Center and led by Praneeth Namburi, a postdoc in the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE), employed motion capture technology and wireless sensors to demonstrate how simple activities like walking or jumping might enhance human health and well-being through artificial intelligence analysis.
During yoga and breathing sessions, students explored how virtual reality could enhance body awareness and coordination. When focusing on balance, participants were introduced to electromyography techniques for recording muscle activity. "When considering movement now," reflected one participant, "I think beyond merely imitating positions of skilled movers and instead contemplate how they navigate energy processes—a perspective enhanced by AI-driven analysis."
Crafting Narratives at the Nanoscale with AI Assistance
The final MIT.nano offering, nanoStories, presented a workshop focused on building compelling narratives using text, video, and interactive media to demystify science and nanotechnology for broader audiences. Guest speakers from the Boston Museum of Science, PBS NOVA, and MIT joined workshop instructors MIT.nano Director Vladimir Bulović, Research Scientist Annie Wang, and Samantha Farrell in discussions and exercises on creating engaging and accessible presentations of nano-topics. Throughout the course, students developed their own stories, presenting final projects that captivated audiences with explanations of snowflake formation, pencil functionality, human color perception, and semiconductor activity in solar cells—all enhanced by artificial intelligence presentation tools.
Beyond these five courses, MIT.nano collaborated with MIT's Clinical Research Center (CRC), MIT Medical, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering to offer a three-module course covering human subjects research fundamentals and resources, alongside technologies for symptom monitoring during the Covid-19 pandemic. Led by MIT.nano Associate Director Brian W. Anthony and CRC Director of Clinical Operations Catherine Ricciardi, the course explored how MIT researchers have deployed and developed physiological sensing technologies for Covid-19 research while highlighting available resources through the CRC, the MIT.nano Immersion Lab, and MIT ecosystem partners.
Visit MIT.nano to explore additional images and videos from these groundbreaking courses that represent the future of artificial intelligence nanotechnology research.
