| The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Newport, R.I., Division, and the University of Texas (UT) at Austin began a month-long class on nanotechnology May 10. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2004 introduces NUWC personnel to UT-Austin’s nanotechnology researchers and their work. Nanotechnology holds the potential to revolutionize undersea warfare. By micro-sizing computers, sensors, and off-board technologies, nanotechnologies could drastically increase a submarine’s payload. By using ever-smaller building blocks, the submarine force and the entire Navy could produce smaller, more capable, lighter and cheaper components. The nanotechnology course is just the latest example of NUWC’s and UT-Austin’s bourgeoning relationship. The two organizations came together in October 2002, when then NUWC’s commander, Rear Adm.l John D. Butler, and UT-Austin’s president, Dr. Larry R. Faulkner, signed an educational partnership agreement on nanoscience and engineering. The agreement paved the way not only for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2004, but also for supporting graduate student research and development for NUWC scientists and engineers. “While this Educational Partnership has been productive, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2004 is further solidifying an already strong relationship between NUWC and UT-Austin,” said the NUWC Commander Rear Adm. William G. Timme. Butler, now Submarines Program executive officer, said, “I look forward to the day when the Navy can start putting nanotechnology systems aboard both our new Virginia-class submarines and our in-service ships. As I said in October 2002, nanotechnologies could change the way submarines operate and carry out their missions.” |