 "I'm pleased that the University of Illinois is thinking big on a
small scale with this newly expanded facility," Blagojevich said.
"The Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory will keep this state among
the world leaders in this vital and rapidly growing field."The
$18 million state-funded expansion completed earlier this year makes
the laboratory one of the nation's largest and most sophisticated
university-based facilities for micro and nanoelectronics,
nanophotonics and optoelectronics, and nanomedicine and
bionanotechnology. The expansion added new laboratory and classroom
space as well as research and meeting areas
"Today's dedication is about more than cutting a ribbon," said
Ilesanmi Adesida, dean of the College of Engineering. "It is an
affirmation of the university's continued leadership in the
ever-expanding field of nanotechnology, as well as the state's
support of these efforts. What we are researching now will impact
our society and planet for decades to come and play a ubiquitous
role in maintaining our nation's global competitiveness."
"The expansion of the laboratory makes it the par excellence
university-based facility for semiconductor, nanotechnology and
biotechnology research," said Rashid Bashir, director of the
laboratory. "We have a rich tradition of innovation, excellence and
leadership evidenced through the research and development of many
paradigm-shifting and revolutionary innovations."
As part of the building dedication, artwork was unveiled in the
building's atrium. The piece, entitled "Light Array Rhythm Catcher,"
by S. Thomas Scarff, was inspired by light-emitting diode technology
advanced at the University of Illinois.
The contractors for the expansion were Teng & Associates,
Chicago, design work, $1,534,000; CORE Construction, Morton, general
contractor, $9,477,000; A & R Services, Urbana, $4,281,000; Coleman
Electric, Mansfield, $1,712,000; and F.J. Murphy, Springfield,
$235,000. The project was managed by the Capital Development Board,
which oversees all state-funded construction projects.
"This facility is the latest evidence of the state's commitment
to world-class training and research at the University of Illinois,"
said Licata, the Capital Development Board chairman. "It will join
the Institute for Genomic Biology, National Center for
Supercomputing Applications, Tech Transfer Incubator, Electrical and
Computer Engineering Building, Post Harvest Processing Center, and
the planned Lincoln Hall renovation to help the university keep its
global reputation as a technology leader for the 21st century and
beyond."
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 Illinois has a strong track record of investing in research and
development infrastructure that supports all of the high-technology
sectors. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity has committed more than $238 million to support
world-class research and development facilities and $79 million to
support the development and construction of research and technology
parks and incubators in Illinois. The department has administered
more than $40 million in grants to support the emerging field of
nanotechnology.
Micro and nanotechnology refers to controlling matter on an
atomic or molecular scale, building and using devices approximately
100 nanometers or smaller. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter;
a typical human hair is between 50,000 and 100,000 nanometers wide.
Already considered one of one of the world's most advanced
centers of nanotechnology, the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign was ranked among the top three academic
institutions in nanotechnology research, education and facilities by
Small Times magazine. Researchers at the Micro and Nanotechnology
Laboratory are pushing the frontiers in many aspects of
nanotechnology, including:
-
Nanofabrication -- The design and manufacture of devices with
dimensions measured in nanometers. Nanofabrication is of interest to
computer engineers because it opens the door to super-high-density
microprocessors and memory chips.
-
Nanocharacterization -- The design and use of instruments
required for nanotechnology research and the manipulation of the
tiny elements involved.
-
Nanophotonic crystals -- Synthetically manufactured crystals with
special electronic and magnetic properties that have a wide range of
uses.
-
Nanomedicine -- The treatment of patients on a molecular level,
including novel techniques for diagnostics, and advanced drug and
gene delivery for cancer therapeutics.
-
Nanobiosensors -- Tiny sensors that replicate human senses, such
as smell, that can be used to locate and identify specific
conditions at a molecular level, with applications in national
security, agriculture and food industries.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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