U.S. Representative Sandy Levin
12th District of Michigan
| For Immediate Release January 5, 2006 |
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LAWRENCE TECH AWARDED $1 MILLION FOR RESEARCH CENTER Research Center to Develop Cutting-Edge Technologies at the Intersection of High Technology and Homeland Defense |
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(Washington D.C.)- U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) released information today regarding $1 million in federal funds that was allocated for the Center for Innovative Materials Research (CIMR) at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. The University broke ground for the Center last spring to build on Lawrence Tech's path-breaking work in structural materials research. The new facility will be a state-of-the-art laboratory for the research, development and testing of carbon fiber composites and other advanced materials.
“Innovative materials are playing a growing role in the development of military technologies that protect our troops in the field,” said Rep. Levin. “It is important to develop these cutting-edge technologies here in Michigan because of our strong roots in research and development.”
The money to support and expand the capacities of the Center was included, at Rep. Levin’s request, in the 2006 Department of Defense funding bill. The House and Senate approved this legislation last month, and President Bush signed the measure into law on December 30th. Lawrence Tech has partnered with the U.S. Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to develop materials to strengthen existing U.S. military structures and vehicles against terrorist attacks or natural disasters.
“The Center for Innovative Materials Research is a great example of the intersection of high technology and homeland defense,” said Stephen Ragan, Senior Vice President of Lawrence Technological University. “This appropriation will not only advance Lawrence Tech's pioneering materials research, but will also help establish a Midwest resource for advanced materials research and testing. CIMR's research has significant commercialization potential and has already generated applications for the defense, automotive, and bridge construction industries.”
Levin requested funding for the Center for Innovative Materials Research last March in a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Levin became involved in the effort to win federal funding to support and expand the Center after being contacted by representatives from Lawrence Tech early last year. Michigan Senator Carl Levin advanced the project in the Senate. The effort also received key support from Michigan Representative Joe Knollenberg.
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