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NSF PR 96-13 - April 1, 1996
Media contact: |
George E. Chartier |
(703) 306-1070 |
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Program contact: |
George E. Chartier |
(703) 306-1383 |
waung@nsf.gov |
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NSF Names Cooperative Research Centers for Arizona,
Illinois and Ohio
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected
universities in Arizona, Illinois and Ohio to receive
more than $1 million each in federal funds -- to be
matched by the public and private sector -- to establish
three new State/Industry/University Cooperative Research
Centers.
The initiative, created in 1990, is a "peer-reviewed
investment of federal resources, one in a series designed
to promote partnerships among academe, industry and
state government," says Joseph Bordogna, NSF assistant
director for Engineering. The partnerships are intended
to create knowledge in critically-needed technologies
for rapid transfer to the marketplace. The intended
result is an "enhanced industrial capacity, a competitive
technological infrastructure, development of wealth-producing
enterprises, and an employed workforce," says Bordogna.
The cooperative agreement with each of the new centers
requires the state and industrial partners to match
or exceed NSF's contribution. Industry representatives
will serve on an advisory board for each cooperative
research center. The centers are expected to involve
firms of all sizes, with an emphasis on small businesses.
The new NSF research centers are:
- A new Center for Low Power Electronics on the
campus of the University of Arizona, under the
direction of Sarma B. K. Vrudhula, associate professor
of electrical and computer engineering, and in
partnership with Arizona State University, will
conduct research in low-voltage, low-power microelectronics,
a field essential to advances in technology for
the next generation of laptop computers, cellular
phones, mobile fax machines and other portable
computing and communication systems. NSF will
contribute $1.125 million toward the new center's
total proposed budget of $3.7 million over its
initial four years.
- A new Center for Advanced Friction Studies on
the campus of Southern Illinois University, under
the direction of Maurice A. Wright, professor
of mechanical engineering and energy processes,
will conduct research on improved materials needed
to manufacture high-friction components in the
automotive and aircraft industries, such as more
durable brake linings, pads, drums and rotors.
The new NSF cooperative research center expands
the role of the university's Materials Technology
Center. NSF will contribute $1.05 million toward
the new center's total proposed budget of $5.5
million over its initial four years.
- A new Center for Industrial Sensors and Measurements
on the campus of Ohio State University, under
the direction of Sheikh Akbar, associate professor
of materials science and engineering, will develop
novel technology for highly sensitive and durable
sensors to measure industrial processes and products.
Sensors are needed to monitor gas emissions and
temperatures in automotive engines, in turbine
engines for the energy industry, and during the
manufacture or casting of steel, other metals,
glass, paper and pulp. NSF will contribute $1.2
million toward the new center's total proposed
budget of $4.87 million over its initial four
years.
Funding for the new centers begins April 1. A total
of 24 universities applied for the FY96 round of awards.
The new centers announced today bring to 13 the total
number of NSF sponsored State/Industry/University
Cooperative Research Centers.
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