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.
Posted February 25th, 2009
