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Senate Approves Federal Funding
for
Oregon Nanotechnology, Defense Projects
Wyden, Smith advocated funds for projects
in FY 2006 Defense Appropriations legislation
October 7, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S.
Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced
that the U.S. Senate has approved at least $109 million in funding
for defense-related projects in Oregon, including significant
funding for a number of Oregon nanotechnology projects. These
funds are included in the FY2006 Defense spending bill, which
now moves to a conference committee to work out differences between
it and the House version of the bill.
“Oregon’s cutting-edge
technologies and nanotechnology research continually support American
defense efforts, and they’ll receive a big boost with these
funds,” said Wyden. “Our state makes many important
contributions to America’s security, and these funds will
keep those contributions coming, while improving Oregon’s
economy as a whole.”
“Oregon businesses play
an important role in our nation’s security,” Smith
said. “Their cutting edge research and advances help make
our military more effective while keeping our technology sector
vibrant.”
The projects that would receive funding are as follows:
• The Oregon Nanoscience
and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) would receive $5 million
for the Nanoelectronics and Nanometrology Initiative.
• ONAMI would also receive
$3.5 million for the safer nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing
program.
• ONAMI would also receive
$3 million for the development of miniature tactical energy systems.
• Oregon Health and Science
University would receive $3 million for its Nanotechnology and
Health Care center to boost nanotech research efforts across a
variety of disciplines.
• Freightliner, based
in Portland, would share in $12 million to continue its program
of replacing M915 linehaul tractors.
• AVI BioPharma in Portland
and Corvallis would receive $6 million for the development of
technology to test for and find therapeutic agents for the Dengue
Virus. The company would also receive $6 million for the development
of technology to test for and find therapeutic agents for the
Ebola Virus, $6 million for the development of technology to test
for and find therapeutic agents for the Marburg Virus, as well
as $4 million for the development of technology to test for and
find therapeutic agents for the Anthrax and Ricin toxins.
• Advanced Navigation
and Positioning Corporation of Hood River would receive $7.5 million
for Transportable Transponder Landing Systems to improve the safety,
accuracy and reliability of Air Force and Navy operations.
• The Metals Affordability
Initiative Consortium would receive $7 million for research, testing
and development of technologies to improve military war fighting
capabilities through advanced metallurgy, while increasing the
cost-effectiveness of such technologies.
• HemCon of Tigard would
receive $5 million for the further development of the chitosan
hemorrhage control dressing.
• The American Blimp Advanced
Airship Flying Laboratory would receive $5 million for continued
research and development projects.
• Oregon Iron Works would
receive $5 million for the continued development of the Unmanned
Force Augmentation System program.
• Blacktoe Corporation
would receive $4 million for the research and development of a
portable, finger-mounted ultrasound probe that uses Doppler and
imaging technology to be used by Army medical personnel in the
field.
• FLIR Systems, based
in Portland, would also receive $12 million to improve the thermal
imaging systems on its UH-60 MEDEVAC aircraft. The improved imaging
capabilities will permit aircrews to more effectively detect and
identify targets and areas of interest, significantly improve
flight safety and provide critical intelligence for aircrew and
civil support personnel. FLIR Systems would also receive $4 million
to upgrade the navigation thermal imaging systems in the Marine
Corps’ fleet of UH-1N “Huey” helicopters.
• Oregon Aero would receive
$2.5 million for BLSS Kit retrofit systems, which enhance helmet
ballistic protection, comfort, buoyancy, stability and inter-operability
with other systems and equipment.
• InSport would receive
$2 million for the development of cold weather clothing and equipment
for Marine Corps expeditionary forces personnel.
• The University of Oregon’s
Brain, Biology and Machine Science Initiative would receive $2
million for interdisciplinary research related to cognitive neuroscience,
genetics research, and informatics.
• The Rockwell Collins
facility in Portland would receive $2 million to install the Global
Air Traffic Management system in Air Force KC-135s.
• Armor Systems International
would receive $1.5 million for the design and development of a
Rocket Propelled Grenade Vehicle Protection system.
• Digimarc of Beaverton
would receive $1 million for the research and development of a
real-time geospatial video sensor, allowing the information collected
to be directly available for instant retrieval on the battlefield.
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