News

Portland State University President Daniel O. Bernstine said that today’s announcement of $8 million in federal funds to establish an Oregon Nanotechnology Center underscores the growing national reputation of Oregon’s research efforts in that field.

“This is great news for Oregon and for Portland State,” said Bernstine. “We are most appreciative of the efforts of Senators Wyden and Smith, and to President Bush for including the Oregon center in his budget.”

President Bush’s announced 2007 budget includes $8 million over three years for an Oregon Nanotechnology Center, to be administered by the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), a collaborative effort between Portland State University, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the high-tech industry in Oregon.

President Bernstine said that he expects Portland State facilities and faculty from disciplines such as chemistry, physics and mechanical engineering to play an important role in the Oregon Nanotechnology Center. Portland State is home to the Center for Electron Microscopy and Nanofabrication (CEMN), one of the three key ONAMI facilities and the most advanced university microscopy facility in the Pacific Northwest.

Nanotechnology involves the use of materials on the atomic and molecular scales, which often manifest physical, chemical and biological characteristics quite different than they would otherwise. These materials have enormous potential for applications in medicine, manufacturing, information technology, energy and a whole host of other areas. By 2015, nanotechnology is expected to be a $2 trillion industry.

For more information on nanoscience research at Portland State University, contact John Carruthers, distinguished professor of Physics, at carruthe@pdx.edu.

Source:
Don McClave (503-725-5025)
PSU Office of the President

For Immediate Release (#06-021)