From the Publisher: Let’s just call it NanoFab-ulous

When I was in school, STEM education wasn’t a “thing.”

Even if it had been, it’s unlikely I would have pursued that path. I barely passed chemistry and physics in high school. Then I was required to take one science course to graduate from college. As a journalism major, I thought a meteorology class would be helpful. Who knows? Maybe one day I could report the weather on the TV news. And meteorology sounded easy enough as science classes go.

One C-minus later, I decided to go back to focusing on journalism.

So it’s not surprising that sitting in an auditorium with over 100 really smart researchers, scientists and academicians last Friday was a little intimidating. But also impressive.

Because while much of the recent debate and attention on economic development in Prince William County has been focused on data centers, George Mason University is building quite a powerhouse on its Manassas SciTech campus.

That was evident at Friday’s formal grand-opening of the university’s Nanofabrication Facility, a 2,000-square-foot center on the third floor of one of the newer campus buildings. It is Northern Virginia’s only core clean room facility and is expected to become a center for cutting-edge research, learning and workforce training.

To be honest, I’m still not entirely sure what actually happens in a “NanoFab,” as they like to call it. (Remember: C-minus, meteorology.) But if I were a recruiter for the nearby Micron plant, which makes memory chips for automobiles, I’d be excited about the possibilities for training my future workers. If I were a data center operator looking for ways to reduce my power consumption, I’d be excited about the research capabilities. And – I think – if I were a biochemist looking for a vaccine or cure for a new disease, I’d be thrilled, too.

More importantly for our broader community, George Mason’s SciTech campus is quickly becoming a center of research and development for all of Northern Virginia. What was once just a couple of classroom buildings in the woods off Route 234 now includes a world-class performing arts center, a forensics lab (or “body farm”) and – soon – two major town center-style developments with stores, restaurants and housing.

George Mason is Virginia’s largest university with over 40,000 students. Its primary campus is in Fairfax, and it has another campus in Arlington. But its president, Dr. Gregory Washington, sees even bigger things in Manassas.

“What’s happening here I think in the long run is going to eclipse what we’re doing on the other two campuses,” Washington told the crowd assembled for Friday’s ribbon-cutting.

Other speakers who helped make the NanoFab a reality used terms such as “life-changing” and talked about how it will help the United States make more computer chips, rather than relying on Taiwanese manufacturers.

Then we headed across campus and up two flights of stairs, where Shawn Wagoner, manager of the facility, joined Washington and other dignitaries to cut a big green ribbon. Through windows behind them, we could see the NanoFab’s various machines, pipes and computers bathed in the yellow light that is required for such a facility. (Wagoner told us why it is required, but the explanation was lost on me. He also pointed out what some of the equipment does, but, well…)

Nevertheless, as I left, three students were suiting up to head inside – complete with hairnets, gowns and booties. I’m glad they know what they were going to do. Because I know the Prince William region – if not the country – will be better off as a result.

Bruce Potter is publisher of InsideNoVa. He can be reached at bpotter@insidenova.com.