NSF PR 00-62 - September 18, 2000
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NSF Engineering Centers Will Advance Microsystem and
Sensing Technologies
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has launched
two new Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) at the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and Northeastern
University in Boston, Mass., with an estimated NSF
investment of up to $32 million over five years.
The centers, which will also receive support from participating
universities, industry and state governments, will
conduct pioneering research in the fields of wireless
microsystems and subsurface sensing systems. The Center
for Wireless Integrated Microsystems, based at the
University of Michigan, plans to create miniature,
low-cost microchip systems with medical and environmental
applications to replace bulky and currently limiting
technologies. The Center for Subsurface Sensing and
Imaging at Northeastern University seeks to revolutionize
the detection and imaging of objects or conditions
that are underground, underwater or in the human body.
NSF has awarded $2.6 million for the first operating
year of each new center. The federal funds will be
supplemented by support from industry, the states
of Michigan and Massachusetts and partnering universities.
After three years, the NSF support is subject to review
before renewal. The potential length of NSF's support
is 10 years, after which ERCs are expected to become
self sufficient.
NSF has launched 37 ERCs since 1985; with the two new
centers, 20 are currently receiving NSF support. The
ERCs provide opportunities for interdisciplinary teams
from government, industry and universities to collaborate
on crucial research in emerging technologies and to
train the next generation of engineers. Participation
in these centers has significantly boosted the competitiveness
of partner firms, and graduates of the centers have
an excellent record of technological innovation in
industry.
"Integration of multiple paths of research is critical
for continuing progress in science, engineering and
technological innovation," said NSF's Lynn Preston,
director of the ERC program. "The NSF Engineering
Research Centers partner universities and industry
to provide the next generation of technology and an
effective engineering work force, both of which are
increasingly important to the economy and to peoples'
lives."
The new centers will develop specialized engineering
courses, internships and summer training programs
for undergraduate and graduate students and teachers.
They also plan programs for middle and high school
students and teachers.
For more information, see: http://www.eng.nsf.gov/eec/erc.htm
Attachment: New NSF Engineering
Research Centers
Attachment
New NSF Engineering Research Centers
Center for Wireless Integrated Microsystems
Director: Kensall Wise, University of Michigan
College of Engineering
Partners: University of Michigan, Michigan
State University and Michigan Technological University,
with support from the state of Michigan and more than
20 companies
The center will develop low-cost, integrated microsystems
capable of measuring or controlling a variety
of physical parameters, interpreting the data
and communicating with a host system over a bi-directional
wireless link. Projects will integrate micropower
electronics, wireless communications and microelectromechanical
systems (MEMS). Potential applications for the
resulting devices include environmental monitoring
(weather, global warming, air and water quality)
and improved health care (wearable and implantable
biomedical systems).
Projects include development of a cochlear, or
inner-ear, transplant for the deaf, with subsequent
devices for treating epilepsy and Parkinson's
disease, and ultra-compact environmental monitoring
systems for detecting pollution and measuring
temperature, humidity and other variables.
Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems
Director: Michael Silevitch, Northeastern University
College of Engineering
Partners: Northeastern University, Boston University,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Puerto
Rico at Mayaguez, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute,
with support from the state of Massachusetts and more
than 30 companies
The center will focus on detecting, locating and
identifying objects obscured beneath covering
media, such as underground plumes, tumors under
the skin or developmental defects in an embryo.
Using probes based on electro- magnetic and acoustical
radiation, the center will attack biomedical and
environmental problems and develop techniques
for sensing subsurface conditions. Projects will
integrate new methods of subsurface sensing and
modeling, physics-based signal processing and
image-understanding algorithms, and image and
data information management methods.
Proposed projects range from detection of subsurface
degradation of bridge roadways to the location
of land mines and the identification of viable
ova for in-vitro fertilization.
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