Construction Grant Will Create Jobs

WASHINGTON — The University of Michigan will be home to a new state of the art science and engineering facility thanks in part to a $9.48 million federal grant, U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., and Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, announced today.

The Center of Excellence in Nano Mechanical Science & Engineering (NAMSE) will receive one of five National Institute of Standards and Technology Awards to cover about a quarter of the construction costs for the three-story building on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. The research facility will be dedicated to mechanical engineering and nanoscience and technology, including nanoscale metrology, dynamics of DNA molecules, nanoscale energy conversion, nanomanufacturing and nano/micro electromechanical systems for medical research and diagnostics.

“The University of Michigan is one of the nation’s top research institutions, and this facility will help keep it at the forefront of emerging technological development,” Levin said. “Not only will this federal grant put Michigan scientists and engineers at the forefront of nanoscience, it will create jobs in Ann Arbor.”

“This new center at the University of Michigan recognizes our state’s manufacturing and technology industries and will help these industries continue to innovate and create new jobs,” said Stabenow.  “This federal partnership will immediately bring jobs to Michigan, and lay the foundation for new industries in our state.”

“For decades, automakers around the world have looked to Ann Arbor for the brightest and most talented engineers,” Dingell said.  “UM needed a new facility to ensure that the College of Engineering produces the next generation of great automotive minds; a facility that will prepare students for work in the emerging areas of energy and nano-manufacturing sciences.  Because of this critical NIST investment, UM grads will continue to be the leaders behind 21st century automotive research and development.  I want to applaud the work done by the University, Senators Levin and Stabenow and Governor Jennifer Granholm for their efforts to secure this vitally important grant.”

The 63,000-square-foot, three-story building will include 60 laboratory modules including a special ultra-low vibration laboratory with eight specialized chambers meeting National Institute of Standards and Technology specifications with temperature and humidity control and low-particulate filtered air.

The facility is projected to cost $41.2 million and is expected to be completed by September 2013.

For more information on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Construction Grant Program, visit www.nist.gov/director/ncgp.