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Washington, DC--Today Congressman David Wu announced his success in securing $1.5 million for the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) to develop affordable electron microscopes in partnership with FEI Company of Hillsboro, Oregon and Ohio State University. FEI Company will supplement the federal dollars with a three million dollar investment in the project. This funding will position ONAMI as a national leader in nanotechnology and create about 70 new jobs in Oregon.
"The collaboration of FEI and ONAMI is a national model for effective partnerships on the new frontier of nanotechnology," said Congressman David Wu. "Oregon is well positioned to be a nanotech leader, and I am working in Congress to make sure that Oregon profits from this exciting new industry."
Nanotechnology, the science of developing materials on an atomic scale, has the potential to revolutionize such fields as electronics, telecommunications, and medicine. A key part of nanotechnology education is training with electron microscopes. However, due to the complexity and high cost of the microscopes, very few students have access to nanotechnology education.
ONAMI, in partnership with Ohio State University, will develop a table-top electron microscope over the next three years. FEI Company will provide engineering assistance.
"This is a farsighted and yet practical investment that will enable the 'nanotech literacy' the US so urgently needs in order to sustain a high-wage economy in the face of accelerating global sophistication and competition. Access to nanoscale imaging technology will capture the imagination of a new generation of American students, scientists and technologists the same way rocketry did in the 50s and 60s and computing did in the 70s and 80s."--Robert D. "Skip" Rung, Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute
The federal funds for this project are included in H.R. 2419, the Fiscal Year 2006 Energy and Water appropriations bill which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. H.R. 2419 will be considered by the Senate later this year.
More information on ONAMI and FEI Company can be found at the following web addresses:
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