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ALBANY NANOTECH COMPLEX

The Albany NanoTech Complex is the Most Advanced Facility of its Kind in North America

NY CREATES’ Albany Nanotech Complex is a world-renowned hub for research, development, and commercialization of nanotechnology and semiconductor innovation. 

Situated in Albany, New York, it has evolved over decades into a leading center for cutting-edge scientific exploration and collaborating with industry partners across the globe. In sum, the 1.65 million sq. ft.-foot NanoTech complex boasts more than $20B in high-tech investments and multiple corporate partners, with approximately 3,000 R&D jobs on site.

Take a Virtual Tour

Step inside North America’s largest and most advanced semiconductor research and development facility – the NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex – for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour! Discover how NY CREATES is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology, building the next generation of chips, and training the workforce of tomorrow.

Founding and Early Development

  • 1997: The State of New York established the Center for Environmental Sciences ant Technology Management (CESTM) to spearhead advancements in nanotechnology and semiconductor R&D.
  • This 70,000 square foot, $16.5 million facility includes 4,000 square feet of cleanroom space and metrology labs.
  • This initiative marked the beginning of Albany Nanotech Complex’s role as a global innovator.
  • Early 2000s: Investments from state, federal, and private sectors flowed into the site, driven by New York’s vision to become a leader in the high-tech economy. These investments enabled the construction of state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities and attracted key partnerships with global semiconductor leaders.
Aerial image of the Albany NanoTech Complex

Expansion and Innovation

  • 2003–2015: During this decade, Albany Nanotech expanded rapidly. The complex added new facilities, including:
    • NanoFab South (NFS), completed in March 2004, is a 150,000 square foot, $50 million facility including 32,000 square feet of cleanroom space.
    • NanoFab South Extension (NFSX), completed in June 2004 is a 16,046 square-feet cleanroom lab that serves as part of Tokyo Electron’s Technology Center America (TCA). 
    • NanoFab North (NFN), completed in December 2005, is a 228,000 square foot, $175 million facility including 42,136 square feet of cleanroom space with Class 1 capable 300mm wafer production.
    • NanoFab Central (NFC), a separate 100,000 square foot building that houses 24,224 square-feet of cleanroom space were part of a project completed in March 2009.
    • NanoFab East (NFE), completed in 2009, is a 250,000-square-foot office, laboratory and classroom building that serves as the primary visitor center.
    • NanoFab Xtension (NFX), completed in 2013, is a 500,000 square foot facility with 55,131 square-feet of 300mm cleanrooms.
    • Tech Valley High School (TVHS), completed in 2014, is a project-based learning regional high school whose students interface with NY CREATES and its partners for hands on learning. Learn more about TVHS.
    • The Zero Energy Nanotechnology (ZEN) building, completed in 2015, is a 356,000 square foot facility that serves as a living laboratory for clean and renewable energy technologies and houses many technology-driven companies.
  • 2018: The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering and Science (NY CREATES) was established as a nonprofit organization. Its mission is to manage and operate the Albany Nanotech Complex, aligning its activities with New York State’s broader goals for technological innovation, economic development, and workforce advancement. Learn more about NY CREATES’ history.
  • 2023: Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $10 billion partnership with leaders from the semiconductor industry such as IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, and others to establish a next-generation semiconductor research and development center at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex. The partnership will fund the construction of a cutting-edge High NA Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography Center – the first and only publicly owned High NA EUV Center in North America – that will support the research and development of the world’s most complex and powerful semiconductors. Learn more.
    • Construction began on the new facility, NanoFab Reflection (NFR), in 2024.

Global Impact

The Albany Nanotech Complex became central to the development of technologies such as:

    • 7nm, 5nm, and sub-5nm semiconductor nodes.
    • Advanced materials like EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography.

The site earned its reputation as a center of excellence for industry-leading research, attracting collaborations from companies including IBM, Applied Materials, and Tokyo Electron. Learn more about our partners.

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