Spring 2007 - University of Massachusetts Lowell

CampusNews
UMass Lowell was represented on the U.S.-Japan nanotechnology
exchange by Asst. Prof. Daniel Schmidt, left, of Plastics Engineering;
Chemistry Prof. Marina Ruths, third from left; and Prof. Julie
Chen of Mechanical Engineering, U.S. director of the 2006 program
for NSF, on a visit to Osaka University.
Stanford and UCLA. The U.S. group also toured Japan,
guided by Chen’s counterpart, Dr. S. Okamura of the
National Institute of Materials Science.
Chen says, “It’s a great door-opening opportunity in many
ways—meeting people, understanding the structural set-up
of the research, having a contact for future reference. An
additional benefit is that the U.S. researchers get to know
each other and this also opens doors to collaboration.”
About their time in Japan, Ruths says, “It was helpful to
see people in the workplace, rather than at a conference.
It added to my understanding of their interactions
and expectations.”
which could be used in combat situations. They could allow
quick assessment of battlefield environmental conditions and
of the condition of infrastructure and mechanical systems, such
as bridges and aircraft.
Kennedy praised the University for its leadership in the field.
“You are where it’s at,” he said. “It is important that the state
catch up with you. It’s important that the nation catch up with
you. Ensuring that those fighting will have the best technology
– that’s being done here at UMass Lowell.”
Meehan said, “UMass Lowell, because of its rich history in
manufacturing and polymers, is uniquely positioned to become
a world leader in nanomanufacturing. The Nanomanufacturing
Center will bring thousands of jobs to the region and keep
Massachusetts on the cutting edge of this important
technology.”
Chen, who received the check, addressed the federal and
state legislators, saying, “You are helping us to push the turbo
button so we can accelerate the work that is being done here.”
The funds will support research on the nanomanufacturing
of multi-functional sensors and equipment, which could be
used in the new advanced manufacturing building for which
the state has provided $35 million in construction money.
The research will be conducted by a number of faculty from the
Mechanical and Plastics Engineering, Chemistry and Biology
departments. Members of those departments briefed Kennedy
and Meehan prior to the press conference.
Defense Budget Backs
Nanomanufacturing
Big money continues to roll in for the engineering of
the small.
This time, the UMass Lowell nanomanufacturing team
has secured $2 million in the federal budget thanks to strong
advocacy from U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan and Sen. Edward
M. Kennedy, who visited campus to announce the funds.
Meehan and Kennedy, who was joined by wife Victoria
Reggie Kennedy, presented an oversized federal “check” to
the University’s lead nanomanufacturing researchers, Carol
Barry and Joey Mead, professors of plastics engineering, and
Julie Chen, professor of mechanical engineering.
The funds will support research on the nanomanufacturing
of multi-functional sensors and equipment, some of
Gathered around a $2 million “check” for nanomanufacturing are, from
left, UMass President Jack Wilson, U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy,
U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan, and Profs. Julie Chen and Carol Barry.
14 UMASS LOWELL MAGAZINE SPRING 2007