DORGAN, NDSU AND NATIONAL LAB OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIPS

Senator says partnerships further Red River Valley Research Corridor Initiative

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

(FARGO, N.D.) --- At a press conference today accompanied by officials from North Dakota State University and two national research laboratories, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced three new, high-tech Research Corridor projects that will partner the school with two of the nation’s federal research laboratories.

The three contracts include $50,000 from Sandia National Laboratory for water purification membrane and polymer research; $25,000 from Sandia for solar cell research; and $30,000 from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for radio frequency testing research. Alton Romig, Sandia’s Deputy Director for Integrated Technologies and Systems, and Barry Merrill, PNNL’s Associate Director for National Security, were on hand at today’s press conference for the announcement of the contracts.

Dorgan said this is an important step in linking the Red River Valley Research Corridor to our premier national laboratories. Dorgan chairs the committee in Congress that funds the national laboratories.

“This is another example of how the idea of a Red River Valley Research Corridor initiative is creating world-class research and development opportunities for centers of learning and for economic development in North Dakota,” Dorgan said. “These contracts are the beginning of what we hope are long-term partnerships between NDSU and these cutting-edge national laboratories doing world-class research.”

Last year, Dorgan brought the directors of five U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories to North Dakota. The goal was to build relationships between the labs, NDSU and the University of North Dakota.

NDSU officials are pleased about the partnerships and excited about the future.

"Collaborating with federal research laboratories on projects is another indication that NDSU is building a reputation for national research excellence. This is an exciting start to future opportunities for faculty, staff and students," said NDSU President Joseph A. Chapman.

"Representatives from national laboratories who previously visited NDSU noted the mix of young student researchers and experienced researchers, saying the youth and dynamics add to the already impressive capabilities shown here," said Dr. Philip Boudjouk, Vice President for research, creative activities and technology transfer at NDSU. "Partnering with Sandia National Laboratories and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offers an opportunity to showcase research expertise at NDSU."
As Chairman of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, Dorgan writes the legislation that funds the Department of Energy’s national labs.

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