OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR AN EMINENT FACULTY RESEARCH TEAM AND NANOTECHNOLOGY.
This bill authorizes up to $ 16 million in state general obligation bonds and requires the Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Office of Workforce Competitiveness (OWC), to use the bond proceeds to provide grants-in aid to UConn and Yale University for the development of nanoscale sciences centers. The bonds are subject to standard statutory bond issuance procedures and repayment requirements. This grant is in addition to other grants OWC may award (see below).
The bill requires UConn to (1) implement the recommendations of OWC's draft report, “Investing in Institutionally-Based, Shared-Use Nanotechnology Facilities for Research, Education, and Product Development” and (2) recruit an eminent faculty research team in nanotechnology. UConn must do this within available appropriations. By law, UConn must raise at least $ 2 million from industry and other sources before it can spend any state dollars for its eminent faculty recruitment program.
By law, OWC may award grants to colleges and universities, businesses, and technology-focused organizations to develop a Connecticut Center for Nanoscale Sciences and Development. The center must provide (1) at least one shared-use laboratory in the state to advance academic research, industry application development, and education involving the synthesis, characterization, and fabrication of nanoscale material, intermediates, and devices and (2) related activities. The bill requires that the center also provide:
1. access to advanced atomic scale characterization and imaging instrumentation;
2. pilot scale prototyping for nanotechnology components and devices;
3. expert technical operations support, including eminent faculty;
4. proactive outreach programs as a single point of contact and technical assistance to the colleges, universities, and industries using the advanced facilities;
5. significant levels of coinvestment from participating institutions; and
6. shared-use provisions with industry and other education and research institutions.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2008
BACKGROUND
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is cross-disciplinary science that combines chemistry and engineering to manipulate individual atoms and molecules to produce a desired structure. It can be applied to organic and inorganic matter. Nanotechnology is potentially applicable to material, manufacturing processes, alternate energy production, electronics, and health care products and processes.
UConn Eminent Faculty Recruitment Program
UConn must recruit faculty to accelerate applied research and development in a way that supports the state's economic development and promotes core competence areas. It must do this by supplementing faculty compensation and related costs. Eligible scientists must have demonstrated excellence in their research fields, want to work collaboratively with other UConn scientists, and be interested in commercializing their research.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Joint Favorable Change of Reference
Yea |
15 |
Nay |
0 |
(03/04/2008) |
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea |
54 |
Nay |
0 |
(03/28/2008) |