The Lutz MicroTechnology Cleanroom was a 1,500 sq. ft. multi-million dollar class 100 core facility designed for the custom fabrication of miniature devices and systems.  The cleanroom housed an integrated tool set of modern processing, test and packaging equipment for micro/nano/bio-technology research and education. Operation of the cleanroom was partially subsidized by an endowment from Paul Lutz, a former professor in the JB Speed School of Engineering at UofL. The facility supported research, training and industrial outreach programs.

In 2004, construction began on a new $42 million Science and Technology Research Center.  An initial $25 million grant from the Commonwealth of Kentucky as part of its commitment to the University's long-range strategic plan, funded roughly 60% of the total cost for the construction of the Science and Technology Research Center.  The importance of this facility cannot be understated. The research occurring in basic science and engineering disciplines form the backbone of the more easily recognized high technology and medical advances that receive the lion’s share of the media coverage. This work is critically important, but receives little attention outside of the scientific community.

According to UofL President James Ramsey, the new Science and Technology Research Center will propel the programs which were selected for inclusion in the Research Center into national prominence. He believes in particular that the proximity of the programs to each other in one building will encourage the formation of a true research community for the entire University and bring international recognition to many of the researchers.