Nanomaterials
Application
Center

Walter (Walt) J. Trybula, Ph.D., MBA, IEEE Fellow & SPIE Fellow

Dr. Trybula is the Director of the Nanomaterials Application Center [NAC] at Texas State University and is a Director of the Trybula Foundation, Inc. Dr. Trybula, a technology futurist, has focused his activities on evaluating emerging trends and applications in nanotechnology, mesomaterials, MEMS/NEMS, and semiconductors with an emphasis on feasibility evaluation and profitable business insertion. Current activities involve NANO-SAFETY and nanomaterials. His NAC efforts have involved collaborative efforts among various academic researchers and emerging technology companies. Several of these companies have already received or are in the process of receiving Texas Emerging Technology Fund [ETF] awards. Two 2008 graduates of the collaborative effort at Texas State University, Xitronix, Inc., and nanoTox, Inc., have transitioned to larger facilities in the area. Nanotailor, Inc., is currently in residence at San Marcos. NAC has been very successful in working with companies assisting them in applying for ETF awards.

Dr. Trybula is active in disseminating information on the importance of nanotechnology, and has made numerous speeches on various aspects of the technology, including the need for building the evolving nanotechnology infrastructure from the existing semiconductor base. He recently authored the Texas teaching module on "Nanotechnology and Economic Development" and presented "Nanoelectronics, Photonics, and NANO-SAFETY" to the U.S. Congressional Nano Caucus. His current focus in on NANO-SAFETY and NANO-HEALTH, their implications on both people and the environment as well as the development of educational programs to train future workers.

He is a current member of the CenTx RCIC (ETF review committee), the Chair of the NanoTXxUSA'08 panel on NANO-SAFETY and Risk Management, and is on the advisory board of nanotechnology conferences. He has taught "Introduction to Nano Technology" and "Nano Business" courses at major conferences. His most recent published material is on nanotechnology, cleaning/contamination issues, nano patterning, and cost effective application of technology, with publications in review on NANO-SAFETY education. He is an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer.

Prior to his current assignments, Walt was a Senior Fellow at SEMATECH, the semiconductor research consortium, where he focused on emerging technologies, and was responsible for leading the initial effort to evaluate the feasibility immersion lithography. His Advanced Materials Research Center project involvement included nano imprint, self directed assembly, and organic transistors for sensor applications. Previously, Walt had been with two start-up companies. He was President of Ivy Systems, Incorporated, which is in electronics manufacturing automation, and was a Director at Compunetics, which is a computer integrator. Prior to Ivy Systems, Walt was with the General Electric Company for 12 years, the last nine of which were on corporate staff as Senior Consultant in electronics manufacturing technology.

OFFICE: Centennial Hall 346B EMAIL: w.trybula@txstate.edu PHONE: (512) 245-6062 FAX: (512) 245-1892 OFFICE HOURS: *Open door policy