Aug 7 2007
The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany and the Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership (ABTP) announced today that Congressman Michael R. McNulty has secured $2 million in funding in the U.S. House of Representatives to create a new nanotechnology-driven research and commercialization program designed to play a critical role in the U.S. Army's transformation into a 21st-century fighting force.
The NanoSensor StageGate Accelerator (NSSA) will combine the technological, intellectual and infrastructural assets of CNSE, ABTP and the U.S. Army's Benet Laboratories with leading defense, aerospace and nanoelectronics companies across New York State to accelerate research, development and deployment of innovative nanoscale-enabled products that support the Army's transition to a lighter, more agile and more effective force, as well as applications in the aerospace, energy and transportation sectors.
Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of CNSE, said, "We are grateful to and applaud the vision and leadership of Congressman McNulty, as documented most recently by his steadfast drive to secure this critical research funding. The funding will enable innovative nanotechnology developments that will assist in the U.S. Army's ongoing transition into a high-performance 21st century agile force, while providing exciting commercialization opportunities in the aerospace, energy and transportation sectors. The NanoSensor StageGate Accelerator will thus integrate the unmatched technological resources of the UAlbany NanoCollege and Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership with a growing network of leading nanoelectronics companies statewide, further stamping the Capital Region as a world-class location for nanotechnology corporations, and leading to the creation and retention of high-tech, high-paying jobs."
Tony Gaetano, President of the Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership, said, "Congressman McNulty keeps pushing the envelope to bring nanotechnology businesses to the Arsenal and the Capital Region. This funding will allow us to harness the unparalleled technology assets of the UAlbany NanoCollege and the Partnership to develop and deploy new technologies that will play a vital role in national security and defense. This can become the single biggest source of new jobs and businesses for our site."
The $2M will support the demonstration and deployment of nanomaterial and nanosystem innovations at CNSE, leading to scale-up production and commercialization at the Arsenal Business and Technology Campus. As such, NSSA will fuel development of a host of next-generation military products, including field-deployable, multi-functioning nanosensors and actuators, integrated system-on-a-chip (SOC) and system-in-a-package (SIP) technologies, and protective coatings and materials for the safety and security of military personnel and equipment.
The NSSA will leverage existing corporate partnerships at CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex and ABTP's Watervliet Arsenal Business and Technology Park - creating new opportunities for leading device manufacturers and equipment and material suppliers across the state - while at the same time supporting the attraction of additional nanotechnology jobs, companies and investment to New York.
NSSA will also establish unifying technology roadmaps, outreach strategies and commercialization pathways for industry partners that target commercial opportunities in harsh environment applications for the military, aerospace, energy and transportation sectors.