Gov. Joe Kernan visited Ball State Wednesday to officiallylaunch the opening of the Center for Computational Nanoscience.
According to the Organization for Minnesota NanotechnologyInitiatives Web site, in the near future, nanotechnology will helpimprove computer storage capacity by a million times and enable thedevelopment of pharmaceutical products and invention of thesmallest medical device.
The center serves as a computational research hub, allowingpublic and private sectors to access and exchange innovative ideasand techniques.
"The projects are underway," Kernan said. "The possibilities areunlimited as things will come out from this center.
"As this technology is developed, we want to look foropportunities to be able to commercialize it. We want that tohappen in Indiana."
Ronald Cosby, professor of physics and astronomy, said thecenter provides students with research and training opportunitiesin modern technological areas, experiences in collaborative workwith research groups at major research universities andopportunities for networking with potential employers in theregion. The center is the result of a collaborative effortinvolving Notre Dame University, Ohio University, Purdue Universityand Valparaiso University.
Physics faculty members Cosby, Yong Suk Joe, and Mahfuza Khatunare involved in the center.
A $1.5 million grant from the Indiana 21st Century Research andTechnology Fund will pay for the center.
The center will provide education in high technology areas toEast Central Indiana work force, which in turn will attract hightechnology industries and businesses to the community, saidCosby.
Students from different science disciplines such as biology,chemistry, physics and computer science can attend an introductoryclass to nanoscience and technology, which is offered by thedepartment of physics and astronomy in the spring.
"Students will gain the knowledge of nanotechnology and discoverinterdisciplinary works," Joe, the director of the center andassociate professor of physics and astronomy, said.
Melissa Hendrichsen, a graduate physics students, said thecenter offers great opportunities for students.
"This (center) is the way of the future for our state," BlaineBrownell, Ball State's president, said.
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