Splitting Hairs: NanoCollege Plays Big Role in Setting Tiny Standards
Published Nov 05, 2008
The University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.
It comes as no surprise that trying to measure something 1/80,000th the thickness of a human hair is no cakewalk. But a groundbreaking partnership between the University of Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the National Institute of Standards and Technology will combine top talent and resources to set standards of measurement for nanotechnology and help bring advancements to commercial applications ranging from cell phones to medical devices.
“The ability to know what it is that you’re manufacturing is considered to be one of the top challenges to the deployment of nanotechnology,” says Michael Fancher, vice president for strategic development and economic outreach at the NanoCollege, which will now also be home to the New York Center for National Competitiveness in Nanoscale Characterization.
The NanoCollege has always emphasized university-industry-government collaboration, but this partnership is the college’s first large-scale endeavor with the federal government. In addition to linking the college with unique technology resources in Washington, the partnership is accompanied by an $893,000 grant secured by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer that has already leveraged roughly $15 million in investment from other government and private entities.
“The additional dollars, particularly from industry, reflected the importance of the activity, and a region that can host that activity will grow and benefit from that investment,” Fancher says.
Story by Michaela Jackson
Photo by Staff
Current Weather Conditions In Albany, NY (12205)
Cloudy, and 29 ° F. For more details?
Click here...
