The National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) today announced funding for 20 new research projects
under its Technology Innovation Program (TIP), including projects ranging from
unmanned, hovering aircraft for inspecting bridges to a high-speed sorting system
for recycling aerospace metals to nanomaterials for advanced batteries. The
cost-sharing awards represent up to $146 million in new research over the next
two to five years with up to $71 million in funding provided by TIP.
The NIST Technology Innovation Program supports innovative, high-risk research
in new technologies that address critical national needs. The merit-based, competitive
program provides cost-shared funding for research projects by single small-
or medium-sized businesses or by joint ventures that also may include institutions
of higher education, nonprofit research organizations and national laboratories.
The 20 projects announced today were selected from a TIP competition announced
on March 26, 2009, seeking projects addressing two broad areas of national interest,
the practical application of advanced materials including nanomaterials, advanced
alloys and composites in manufacturing, and the monitoring or retrofit of major
public infrastructure systems, including water systems, dams and levees, and
bridges, roads and highways.
A complete list of the 2009 TIP awards, with additional information on the
competitions, may be found in the NIST news release “U.S. Commerce Department’s
National Institute of Standards and Technology Invests up to $71 Million in
New Manufacturing, Infrastructure Research and Development.”