The Nevada Board of Regents on Friday approved a new research center at UNLV to focus on the emerging field of nanotechnology research. Housed in the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, The Nevada Nanotechnology Center (NNC) will be placed under the direction of renowned scientist and UNLV professor Biswajit Das and will build on the university's existing Nanotechnology Research Program.
"In just a few years, Das has constructed a solid foundation for nanotechnology research at UNLV," said College of Engineering dean Eric Sandgren. "We are now in a position to compete nationally in a burgeoning scientific field that will engage local industry and promote economic development for the state. The center will also allow Das and his staff to provide structure and visibility to collaborative multidisciplinary research efforts within the university and throughout the region."
Nanotechnology is widely believed to be the driving force behind the next industrial revolution and involves work at the molecular level to create new materials critical to applications in chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. Research in this area is leading to more efficient manufacturing processes and has improved our understanding of nature and the environment.
Nanotechnology research currently being conducted at UNLV includes the development of fabrication techniques to improve commercial manufacturability; enhancement of the electrical and optical properties of existing light-emitting diodes; and the development of a high-performance infrared detector for use in space-based reconnaissance systems. Future plans for research include biomedical applications of nanotechnology, such as advanced drug delivery systems, cancer-tagging mechanisms and implantable devices that automatically administer drugs.
"With nanotechnology research in such high demand, the Nanotechnology Center will attract world class researchers to our university and position UNLV as a leader in the field," said Das, whose research has earned funding from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. The entire $2 million projected first year budget will be met through external grants and contracts.
By nature, the field of nanotechnology is interdisciplinary, and faculty from the College of Engineering, department of chemistry, school of computer science and Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies will be involved in projects with the NNC. Students will also be heavily involved in the activities of the NNC through research, summer support for undergraduates and sponsorship of senior design projects.
More information on the current Nanotechnology Research Program at UNLV can be found online. The Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering employs more than 70 full-time faculty and provides research and academic programs for more than 1,500 graduate and undergraduate students. The College of Engineering offers B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees through its six academic departments.
