Feb 25 2009
The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany announced today that Senator Charles Schumer, in partnership with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, has secured $1 million in funding in the Omnibus appropriations bill to further expand a national nanotechnology research center through a partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology ("NIST") and CNSE.
The New York Center for National Competitiveness in Nanoscale Characterization ("NC3"), created in April 2008 through a landmark agreement brokered by Schumer, leverages pertinent intellectual assets and physical resources of CNSE and NIST to formulate and deploy pioneering techniques for the measurement of materials at the nanoscale - a critical element in the development of smaller and faster computer chips that offer higher performance and reduced power consumption for use in a wide range of industries, from health care, energy and telecommunications to military, aerospace and transportation.
The $1 million in federal funding will leverage $10 million in additional corporate research, development, and technology funding for CNSE and its university partners across the country. Working in collaboration with U.S.-based companies such as Veeco Instruments, headquartered in Long Island, KLA-Tencor, FEI and others, research conducted through NC3 has enabled critical advances, both in measurement of new materials for transistors and in equipment, that are being utilized by CNSE partners such as IBM, SEMATECH and Tokyo Electron. The new funding will support an expanded research portfolio that will include nanomaterials used in clean energy technologies.
Senator Schumer said, "This is terrific news for the University at Albany and the entire Capital Region. These federal dollars will not only underscore the University's position at the forefront of nanotechnology across the globe, but also show the federal government's commitment to ensuring it stays there. Continuing to invest in UAlbany's cutting-edge research will bring fuel to the global nanotech industry, as well as attract companies, jobs and economic success to the entire Capital Region. I intend to fight tooth-and-nail to see these funds through the appropriations process."
Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "We are grateful to Senator Schumer for his outstanding leadership and effective efforts in securing this funding, which underscores his steadfast support for the world-class educational and research programs at the UAlbany NanoCollege. We look forward to working with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to further expand this highly successful partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology and CNSE, which is already serving to address the critical technology needs of our global corporate partners while further demonstrating New York's standing as a global leader in high-tech innovation, education and economic development."
Dr. Alain Diebold, CNSE Empire Innovation Professor of Nanoscale Science and Executive Director of the NC3, said, "The collaboration between NIST and CNSE through the New York Center for National Competitiveness in Nanoscale Characterization is already supporting and enhancing the ability of scientists and researchers to measure at the nanoscale, which is an increasingly important challenge amid the growing complexity of today's computer chips. The additional funding secured by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand is critical to ensuring the success of this essential effort."
The bill will now proceed to the House and Senate Floors as the next steps in the appropriations process.