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News Release Aug. 10, 2006 State Board of Education Approves New Center for Materials Characterization at Boise State University IDAHO FALLS - The Idaho State Board of Education today unanimously approved a new Center for Materials Characterization at Boise State University. The new center, to be located in the College of Engineering, will be initially funded with about $1.5 million in research grants from the National Science Foundation and support from the university and the Micron Technology Foundation. It will house scientific equipment that will benefit research in materials science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, biology, chemistry and geosciences. “This center is truly interdisciplinary in focus and represents new avenues for scholarly work,” said Janet Hampikian, associate dean of the College of Engineering, who procured one of the new center’s two major NSF grants along with colleagues in a number of science and engineering fields. “State-of-the art materials characterization is critical for research development in a wide range of technology areas including biomedical, microelectronics and nanotechnology,” said Hampikian. “This new center is a tremendous asset for Boise State University and will enhance our efforts to prepare students for future jobs in the region’s growing high-technology sector.” The interdisciplinary Center for Materials Characterization will house a new scientific instrument nicknamed the “Million Dollar Baby.” The instrument, an analytical transmission electron microscope, was funded with a $691,910 award from the NSF. The award was matched by a $125,000 grant from the Micron Technology Foundation and $180,000 from Boise State, for a total funding level of $996,910 for instrumentation and support services. A transmission electron microscope produces images by detecting electrons that are transmitted through a sample by a powerful electron beam. It is used to study the structure of materials such as metals, ceramics, magnetic materials, polymers, and biological and chemical substances at nearly atomic resolution. A variety of techniques are available through the transmission electron microscope yielding information about composition, structure and defects, and requiring a theoretical background and training, said Peter Mullner, a professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department who conducts research involving magnetic materials. Mullner and his colleagues will co-teach a class for Boise State undergraduates and graduate students in transmission electron microscopy techniques. The instrument will be used for studies of magnetic materials that could lead to the development of sensor devices to improve combustion in engines and reduce pollution, or to developing positioning devices for microsurgery, said Mullner. The new instrument will also be used by Boise State researchers who are developing portable sensors, studying the structure of cartilage, developing ways to improve data storage technology and the reliability of memory chips, and conducting research in other areas. -30- Contact: Janet Hampikian, College of Engineering, (208) 426-5983, janethampikian@boisestate.edu Media Contact: Janelle Brown, University Communications, (208) 1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within eight colleges. A metropolitan university located in the capital city, Boise State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and public service.
email communications@boisestate.edu Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007
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