MU research groups await funding for nanotechnology

Within minutes of entering MU’s Engineering Building West, U.S. Sen. Kit Bond made his way through the crowd of press, university officials and College of Engineering faculty to greet MU engineering professor Shubhra Gangopadhyay.

“When the Pentagon recognizes what you’re doing, it makes it a lot easier for us,” Bond told Gangopadhyay before a news conference Saturday morning.

Bond later announced that two MU research centers are expected to receive $6 million in federal funding if the proposed defense spending bill is passed for fiscal year 2007. The Center for Micro/Nano Systems Technology will receive $3.5 million, and MU’s Center for Geospatial Intelligence will receive $2.5 million.

The bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and must pass the full Senate and conference with the House of Representatives before the funding amounts are finalized.

The Center for Micro/Nano Systems Technology, of which Gangopadhyay is co-director, researches and develops products that incorporate microchip and nanotechnology. The military can utilize the products to power weapons, but the products can also be used commercially to enhance existing technology, including computers and cameras.

“I’m very proud to be a cheerleader, and I hope an effective salesman, for what you’re doing,” Bond said.

The Center for Geospatial Intelligence uses automated technology to detect and classify data from various sources, such as satellites and airborne video surveillance. Director Curt Davis said much of what the center does is “develop automated means for processing data.”

The center works in conjunction with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

“The work you’re doing here will make it easier to detect chemical and biological threats,” Bond said. “It will help to detect threats to America’s homeland when there’s still time to do something about them.”

In fiscal year 2006, the Center for Micro/Nano Systems Technology received $2.1 million, and the Center for Geospatial Intelligence received $1.75 million. Gangopadhyay also received a $4.79 million U.S. Army contract to build devices specifically for the military.

“The new science of this society will make an indelible imprint on what happens here within this institution,” UM system President Elson Floyd said. “And a translation of that research will not only be known to Missourians but to all Americans.”

During a tour of her laboratories after the news conference, Gangopadhyay mentioned the need for more clean room facilities, which allow researchers to experiment with sensitive materials.

“You have funded us with equipment,” Gangopadhyay said, “but where do we put it?”

“How much do you need?” Bond asked.

“Twenty million,” Gangopadhyay replied.

Bond laughed.

“I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” she said.