Aug 10, 2011

Congressman announces science grants for nanotechnology research at Penn, Drexel

(Nanowerk News) Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), the leading Democratic appropriator for scientific research, today announced the award of $978,242 from the National Science Foundation for three research grants – including two dealing with nanotechnology – for projects at the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University in Philadelphia's University City science district.

"Nanotechnology will play a significant role in our nation's manufacturing future, and nanotechnology research is the pathway to this technology transfer," said Fattah, Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies, which oversees funding for the National Science Foundation.

Nanotechnology is a diverse field that deals with manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Scientists seek to use these techniques to develop new materials and investigate how to better control matter on the atomic level.

"University City is already a leader in this vital work, and I'm pleased to announce grants for these research projects that will be undertaken in the science district at Penn and Drexel," Fattah said.

"It is critical that we continue to allot public dollars from the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies for this advanced research so our private sector can develop the products and processes of tomorrow," Fattah said. "We lead the world, but we're in global competition with nations from Asia, Europe and the Middle East where nanotech is racing ahead. This is the kind of research and development that will keep us number one in the global economy."

The grants announced today by Congressman Fattah are:

$400,000 for the University of Pennsylvania for the project "MRI: Acquisition of Precision Wafer Aligner and Bonder for Research, Education, and Training in 3-D Micro- and Nano- Mechanical, Electrical and Optical Systems," under the direction of Kevin Turner. $199,400 for Drexel University for a project entitled "NUE: Nanomanufacturing for Energy and Biomedical Engineering," under the direction of Ying Sun. $378,842 for the University of Pennsylvania for the project titled "NeTS: Small: Exploring the Challenges of Network Migration - An IPv6 Case Study and its Consequences," under the direction of Roch Guerin.

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