Pentagon strikes nanotechnology defense deal with N.C. A&T, UNC-Greensboro

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – The U.S. Division of Protection has tapped two Triad universities to develop new nanotechnologies for shielding troopers.

The Joint College of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, a collaboration of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College and the College of North Carolina Greensboro, is partnering with the U.S. Military Fight Capabilities Growth Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Heart to create a brand new analysis initiative referred to as ICONS, quick for Innovation Collaborative Laboratory for Nanotechnologies to Empower the Future Soldier.

The aim of ICONS is to determine applied sciences by way of built-in science and engineering that can defend troopers. Via ICONS, Joint College college and their associates, together with their graduate and undergraduate college students and postdoctoral fellows, will work with scientists and engineers from DEVCOM’s Soldier Heart and share analysis amenities to create next-generation applied sciences.

A grand opening ceremony for ICONS was held Nov. 21 on the Joint College in Greensboro.

“The significance and constructive influence of this collaboration was evident from the nice respect and remarks made by the management; the modern initiatives offered; and the dedication to the mission of defending those that defend us,” mentioned Nancy Johnston, government director of the North Carolina Biotechnology Heart’s Piedmont Triad Workplace, who participated within the grand opening.

“Having this Heart situated at Gateway Analysis Park and powered by JSNN’s collective experience from NCA&T and UNCG is significant as we speak and sooner or later.”

The ICONS analysis group contains 14 Joint College college, 15 Joint College ICONS scholar students, and 17 researchers on the DEVCOM Soldier Heart in Natick, Mass.

The partnership was initiated with a $1.05 million cooperative settlement awarded by the U.S. Division of Protection.

Sixteen analysis initiatives are underneath approach, based on the Joint College’s web site.

The ICONS analysis is concentrated on three main areas:

• Growing new sustainable nanoscale supplies which are lighter, safer and stronger and will be included into yarn and woven into material for soldier clothes, helmets and different purposes.
• Designing sensors to detect numerous chemical hazards with excessive sensitivity, selectivity and reusability in excessive environments.
• Growing applied sciences to detect and decontaminate organic hazards on the battlefield.

The Joint College’s proximity to a number of navy bases in North Carolina will permit researchers to attach immediately with troopers and veterans to raised perceive soldier wants and to coach college students to develop options from the customers’ perspective.

The Joint College, situated on the South Campus of Gateway College Analysis Park in Greensboro, offers cross-disciplinary graduate packages in nanoscience and nanoengineering. Its analysis is concentrated on artificial biology, nanomaterials, computational nanotechnology and environmental science and sustainability.

The Joint College operates from a $56.3 million, 105,000-square-foot facility that features nanoelectronics and nanobio clear rooms, nanoengineering and nanoscience laboratories, and intensive supplies evaluation tools.

(C) N.C. Biotech Heart