About Duffield Hall

Duffield Hall, named for Cornell Engineering alumnus David Duffield '62 EE, is one of the country's most sophisticated research and teaching facilities for nanoscale science and engineering. It supports research and instruction in advanced materials processing and electronic, photonic, microelectromechanical, and biotechnology devices. The facility allows the university to bring together many of the various nanotechnology and materials-development groups that previously worked independently in various parts of the campus. It includes a large atrium that provides a space where faculty and students can interact in a relaxed, attractive environment, particularly during the winter months.

The facility is also home to the Cornell Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility (CNF) in Knight Laboratory, the PARADIM labs, and portions of the Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR).

Construction began on Duffield Hall in June 2001 and was completed in Fall 2004. Cornell Engineering alumnus David Duffield '62 EE, co-founder and chairman of Workday, Inc., of Pleasanton, California, provided the major funding for the facility, and the building was named in his honor in recognition of this support. Significant support was also provided by Dwight C. Baum '36, the Lester B. Knight '29 Trust, The LaCroute family, David Welch PhD, Frederick Young '62, Douglas Leone '81, Kenneth Goldman '72, C. Jay Abbe '63, John Swanson '61, Charles F. Knight '57, several other alumni, the Lucent corporation, and a group of anonymous donors.

Research labs, teaching labs, and offices constitute the primary allocation of space in Duffield Hall while the facility also includes four large atria and a variety of rooms for conferences, seminars, and colloquia. Although some spaces are restricted for use by Duffield Hall occupants, others are available for use by a wider range of Cornell University departments and affiliated groups.