The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany (UAlbany) announced that Senator Charles Schumer, in partnership with Senator Hillary Clinton, has secured $1 million in funding in the Senate Appropriations Committee to create a new national nanotechnology research center through a partnership between the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST) and CNSE.
The New York Center for National Competitiveness in Nanoscale Characterization (NC3) would leverage pertinent intellectual assets and physical resources of CNSE and NIST to act as a "Next Generation Bell Labs Model" to advance nanoscale metrology innovations and strengthen the resulting R&D-manufacturing-commercialization eco-system in the U.S., in accordance with the report entitled "Sustaining the Nation's Innovation Ecosystem" by the President's Council of Advisors on Science & Technology. By acting as a global resource for R&D, education, and commercialization in the critical science and technology area of nanoscale characterization and metrology, NC3 represents a true embodiment of the principles and objectives of the American Competitiveness Initiative.
Susan Herbst, Provost and Officer in Charge at UAlbany, said, "The growing recognition of the University at Albany as a global leader in nanotechnology education and research will certainly be enhanced by creation of the New York Center for National Competitiveness in Nanoscale Characterization at our College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. We are grateful to Senators Schumer and Clinton for their efforts in championing this important initiative, which will provide still another unparalleled resource for our students and faculty."
Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at CNSE, said, "We are grateful to Senators Schumer and Clinton for their outstanding leadership and effective efforts in securing this funding, which is indicative of their longstanding support for the world-class educational and research programs at CNSE. We look forward to developing this groundbreaking partnership with the National Institute for Science and Technology, which will enable significant advances in nanoscale education and research while further enhancing the reputation of CNSE and New York State as global leaders in high-tech innovation."
As part of NC3, CNSE and NIST will also explore and implement innovative programs to encourage active cooperative work and mutual exchanges of researchers and scientists between the two organizations.
About CNSE. The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to research, development, education, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. In May 2007, it was ranked as the world's number one college for nanotechnology and microtechnology in the Annual College Ranking by Small Times magazine. CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex is the most advanced research facility of its kind at any university in the world: a $3.5 billion, 450,000-square-foot complex that attracts corporate partners from around the world and offers students a one-of-a-kind academic experience. CNSE houses the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 65,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 1,600 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty work on site at CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex, including IBM, AMD, SONY, Toshiba, Qimonda, Honeywell, ASML, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, and Freescale. An expansion currently underway will increase the size of CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex to over 750,000 square feet, including over 80,000 square feet of Class 1 cleanroom space, to house more than 2,000 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty by the end of 2008.