[nanoPost] NEWS ITEM: New technologies to improve anti-terrorism efforts

The University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering has signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in Maryland to develop new technologies to improve anti-terrorism efforts.

The agreement also calls for the creation of technology to improve the overall safety and efficiency of equipment and uniforms worn by soldiers stationed in the field.

The deal was announced by school officials Tuesday during CIRCA '08, the nanocollege's annual conference.

The partnership is the nanocollege's second such research endeavor with the federal government announced in recent weeks.

In April, the college and the Washington, D.C.-based National Institute of Standards and Technology agreed to share research, staff and equipment to develop universal measurements for computer chips and nano-sized products used in telecommunications, health care, aerospace and other industries.

ARL's Army Research Office includes six divisions, one of which is the Sensors and Electron Devices division that will partner with the college to improve field technology for such devices as bioagent sensors, goggles, robotics and other tools used in military combat.

The research will start in the next two weeks, officials said

UAlbany's NanoCollege does not anticipate any immediate new hires as a result of the partnership. However, Steve Janack, a nanocollege spokesman, said it is likely employees could be hired in the future as a result of this project. The work likely will be done periodically, in conjunction with the Army's research schedule.

The partnership will be called the "Center for National Nanotechnology Innovation & Commercialization."