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Rhode Island
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NSF and Rhode Island
In FY 2002 the NSF provided 183 awards totaling approximately $25 million to 6 institutions in the State of Rhode Island as well as $108,000 in fellowships.
Institutions in Rhode Island that received NSF support in FY 2002 included the American Mathematical Society, Brown University, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island.
Examples of Projects Currently Funded by NSF in
the State of Rhode Island
- Micro- and Nano-Mechanics of Electronic and Structural Materials — The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Brown University supports an interdisciplinary research program on the mechanics of materials at the atomistic and microstructural level. One major thrust of the Center is the study of the effect of stress on the performance of electronic nanostructures and nanodevices. This research has potential impact on understanding the design and performance of atomic scale lasers and electronic devices. A second thrust at the Center is concerned with the investigation of the micromechanics of materials with complex microstructures. The Center is engaged in a variety of educational activities, notably the development of materials science teaching modules aimed at the high school level and the training of secondary teachers in the use of these modules.
- High Expectations for Learning Middle School Science — The objectives of this Rhode Island College project are to build a foundation for middle level science education systemic change, to develop cooperative relationships, to build capacity for implementing standards-based curricula, to deliver effective professional development, and to provide material support for all middle schools in Rhode Island. This is a six-year, three-phase project. In 2000, project personnel assessed teacher and system needs, designed courses, examined science frameworks and existing curricula, and supported the piloting of middle school science instructional materials. The 2001-2003 phase will build awareness of middle school science reform, forge new partnerships, and develop middle school science teachers' capacity to lead their peers. The final phase will scale up to support 100 Rhode Island middle school teachers in implementing NSF-funded instructional materials.
- Small Business Innovative Research — An NSF SBIRaward will continue the investigation of the removal of particulates from silicon wafers. Particulate contaminants are a problem that can only become more important as evolving circuit complexity demands greater miniaturization and multi-storied "architectural" chip designs. Up to 40% of al silicon wafer rejections are due to particle contamination. The goal of this project at RITEC, Inc. is to develop a precision cleaning unit to rapidly clean silicon wafers after the chemical, mechanical polishing process using only a "Silent Sound and Clean Water" process based on acoustic coaxing induced microcavitation.
- Solution of Eigenvalue Problems for Multi-Scale Phenomena by Quantum Monte Carlo Methods — This highly computational research at the University of Rhode Island addresses quantum mechanical and statistical mechanical problems in which a multiplicity of length or time scales renders approximate solutions inaccurate and exact numerical methods intractable. This research will develop novel computational methods to obtain quantum mechanical spectra of weak-bound clusters. In particular, it addresses the problem of the computation of energies of bound states of small 4He clusters.
For more information on your Rhode Island and NSF, please
contact the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
at 703-292-8070.
Useful Links:
Rhode
Island's Home Page
Rhode Island's Governor
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