Microengineering Winter School Visits IPAS

Last week, we welcomed our largest-ever group visit to Optofab Adelaide, with 38 participants from the ANFF-SA Microengineering Winter School.

The South Australian branch of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-SA) runs this program each year, hosted onsite at the Future Industries Institute at the University of South Australia. The Winter School combines lectures and hands-on practicals led by industry experts and technical specialists, introducing participants to Photolithography, Design for photolithography, Etching, PDMS devices, microelectrodes, Characterisation techniques, simulation and electrical integration and 3D printing.

Participants also gain practical experience using cutting-edge equipment housed in world-class cleanroom facilities, with opportunities to engage with industry leaders for valuable career insights.

Each year, participants have a chance to visit the second ANFF facility in South Australia, the Optofab Adelaide node. During their visit, the group explored some of our leading glass and fibre facilities, guided by Prof Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem and students under her supervision:  Hsing-An Liang, Ehab Salih, Gete Li and Sachin Kumar.

Visitors toured the facility, learning about:

• 3D printing, where ANFF technician Lijesh Thomas demonstrated 3D printing for photonic devices.

• Glass Fabrication, where researchers Dr Yunle Wei presented glass making and ZBLAN purification for space fibre.

• Extrusion and 3D Glass Printing, where Dr Jacob Dalgleish demonstrated extrusion and advanced 3D glass printing techniques.

• Fibre Drawing Lab, where ANFF Technician Alastair Dowler explained the process of drawing specialty optical fibres, including a live fibre draw in progress for the students to observe.

The visit concluded with pizza and drinks in the Braggs building, wrapping up an engaging evening of science, technology and networking.

Thank you to all the guides, presenters and organisers who made this visit possible. We look forward to welcoming future Winter School cohorts and supporting the next generation of microengineers.