Question: Why are the two facilities merging?
Answer: Our primary goal in merging SNF and SNSF is to improve the researcher experience by removing duplicative processes, streamlining training requirements, optimizing equipment performance and availability, and enhancing research and data infrastructure. This overview, by Serena Rao of DoR, described the vision for this merger.
Question: What will the new facility be called?
Answer: The new facility will be called “nano@stanford”. This name represents the combination of the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility and the Stanford Nano Shared Facilities. While "nano@stanford" has previously been linked to Stanford's NSF NNCI award, it will now refer to the new merged organization going forward.
Question: When will the merger take place?
Answer: The official merger date is set for September 1, 2025. Teams from both facilities are currently collaborating to plan and implement the merger. You can expect a gradual transition of operations after September 1.
Question: Which Stanford school will the merged facility be affiliated with?
Answer: SNF has its operations oversight under the Dean of Engineering and SNSF under the Vice Provost and Dean of Research. The merged facility will operate under the auspices of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research.
Question: How will this merger affect my current projects and experiments?
Answer: Our goal is to improve the researcher experience. We generally don't expect disruptions of services due to the merger and seek to focus our efforts on priorities that would positively impact projects and experiments.
Question: Will PTA accounts and facility access automatically transfer?
Answer: Our aim is to make the merger as minimally disruptive as possible. We will work internally to transfer existing PTAs to the merged facility.
Question: Will users currently onboarding need to repeat training?
Answer: No, users who are currently onboarding will not need to repeat their training because of the merger. We aim to streamline the training requirements for facilities and tools. However, some additional training may be required for new equipment or systems. We will provide information on any necessary steps.
Question: Will there be any changes to the cost structure or billing procedures?
Answer: Both organizations operate as a service center and this structure will apply to the merged organization. nano@stanford will continue the process of reviewing rates annually in compliance with University service center policies. We don't foresee major rate changes as a result of the merger. One of our goals is to simplify the billing procedures and we will be rolling out a merged lab management system and unified billing procedures.
Question: Will the physical locations of equipment change?
Answer: Generally no, but since both facilities currently have expansion projects in the works (SNSF expansion into Deep Lab, and SNF expansion within the Allen building), we will be seeing some equipment moving in addition to new equipment being added. However, the majority of tools installed will remain in place.
Question: Will there be changes to the lab management software?
Answer: We are working to adopt the same lab management software across nano@stanford. NEMO is likely the solution. One of our working groups is focused on managing this project. We expect a project plan will be formed by September 2025 with a merged LMS solution being deployed in January 2026. Until a merged LMS solution is in place, our staff will work with users to reduce burden where possible while supporting two LMSs.
Question: What is the website for the merged facility?
Answer: The website for the merged facility is linked here.
Question: How will updates be communicated to users?
Answer: Users will receive updates about the merger via email and through the nano@stanford merger website.
Question: Will there be opportunities for user input on the merged facility?
Answer: Absolutely. We are actively engaging with users during the merger process through town halls and listening sessions. Users can also submit feedback here.
Question: Who can I contact with specific questions or concerns during the merger process?
Answer: Questions about the merger can be directed to Tobi Beetz, SNSF Associate Director (tobi@stanford.edu) and Mary Tang, SNF Managing Director (mtang@stanford.edu).