Advaero: Trial of carbon composite successful

Advaero Technologies, a nanotechnology spin-off of the N.C. A&T College of Engineering, has successfully completed initial trials of “a revolutionary carbon composite product,” the company has announced. The product is designed to make aircraft components lighter and less expensive.  It uses a new fabric technology and a new resin infusion process from Advaero.

“Utilizing Advaero’s novel resin infusion process, the higher strength-to-weight performance of this new composite and the projected lower processing costs are significant – making it particularly attractive and potentially a ‘game changer’ in the manufacture of commercial aircraft components,” the company said.

Advaero is working on the project with Stanford University’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Chomarat Textile Industries.  Dr. Ajit Kelkar, an A&T engineering professor and chairman of the Department of Nanoengineering at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, was a founder of Advaero.  The company is located at the Gateway University Research Park, South Campus.

The complete announcement is here.

$3.5 million for nanoengineering research

Three A&T nanoengineering professors at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) have been awarded research grants totaling $3.5 million.

“The Department of Nanoengineering is off to a fast start in research,” said Dr. James Ryan, dean of the JSNN.  “Competing successfully for $3.5 million in research funding in the department’s first year and a half of operation is a tribute to both the quality of these researchers and the value of their work.”

The awards are:

• “Computational Modeling and Enabling Technologies for Nano and Bio Systems and Interfaces,” $1.2 million from the Army Research Office. Dr. Ajit Kelkar, professor and chairman of the Department of Nanoengineering, is the principal investigator. This research will focus on the computational modeling of nano and bio systems and interfaces. It will explore the molecular-level interaction of material systems and biological constituents through molecular nano modeling.
•  “Nano to Continuum Multi-Scale Modeling of Cementitious Materials under Dynamic Loading,” $1.8 million from the Army Research Office.  Dr. Ram Mohan, associate professor of nanoengineering, is the principal investigator. This project will focus on the nano-to-continuum modeling of hierarchical and nanoengineered cementitious materials. Project research efforts will enable the better understanding of the performance of cementitious-based protection materials for defense and civilian uses and will help to develop advanced cementitious concrete panels. For more on Mohan’s research, see the coverage inThe Business Journal.
•  “A Study of GaAsSb (gallium arsenide antimonide) Nanowires by Molecular Beam Epitaxy for Near Infrared Applications,” $563,497, from the Army Research Office.  Dr. Shanti Iyer, professor of nanoengineering and electrical engineering, is the principal investigator.  This research will focus on semiconductor nanowires, the building blocks for next-generation integrated nanosystems. The project will focus on the synthesis of GaAsSb-based heterostructure nanowires on silicon by molecular beam epitaxy for the fabrication of infrared lasers and photodetectors.  The research will potentially lead to efficient, inexpensive, flexible, portable, and tunable lasers for infrared countermeasures, integrated sensor/detection systems, and other areas of photonics.

A quick weekend read: ERC wins SBIR grant

The NSF Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials is starting the commercialization process for its biodegradable implant technology for reconstruction and regeneration.  A front-page story in today’s edition of The Business Journal details the work now being funded by an SBIR grant to develop a magnesium-alloy device that aims to make spinal fusion easier and less painful.

JSNN grand opening, tours tomorrow (December 8)

One last reminder and we’ll stop talking about it: The open house at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering will be held Thursday, December 8, 9 am to 3 pm. The school is located at 2907 East Lee Street in Greensboro, just north of Interstate 40.  Your personal invitation is on the JSNN website: jsnn.ncat.uncg.edu/grand-opening-ceremony/.

JSNN students move into the new building

Dean Ryan fires up his students as they get ready to move into the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering building on Friday. More photos are on the JSNN Facebook page.  For more photos of the building, see this photo album, also on the Facebook page.

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JSNN building complete; tours to be given Dec. 8

The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) building at Gateway University Research Park south campus.

Construction of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering building has been completed (on time and on budget!). The building is located in the Gateway University Research Park south campus at 2907 East Lee Street.

A public open house is scheduled for Thursday December 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include tours of the facility.  Visitors will be able to get a look at several labs, including the CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment, the cleanroom, the Genomics Lab, the Nuclear Magentic Resonance Lab, and the Thermochemistry Lab.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the building will be held on Wednesday December 7.  Speakers at the invitation-only event will include state government and academic leaders, including Gov. Bev Perdue, UNC President Tom Ross and the chancellors of N.C. A&T and UNC, Dr. Harold Martin and Dr. Linda Brady, respectively.  The school is operated by the two universities.

The N.C. A&T grant of the month for October: Nano iron vs. contamination, hog manure odor

The Sponsored Funding Report for October:

N.C. A&T received 23 grants totaling $5.65 million in October.  That total includes supplemental funding for two major research projects, the Center for Aviation Safety ($785,000 from NASA) and the Center for Advanced Studies in Identity Sciences ($485,000 from the Army Research Office).

One highlight of October’s s funding was a grant worth $299, 928 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Dr. Muchha Reddy of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design.

The project:  Remediation of Contaminated Soils and Water and Swine Manure Odor Reduction Using Nano Size Iron Particles

The issue: The contamination of soil and water renders them unfit for human use as well as animal and plant dependence.

Abstract: Several forms of Fe have been tested to reduce and remove chromates. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) particles are effective in the remediation purpose. The approach in solving the above said problem is unique as we synthesize the metal powders using liquid polyols such as ethylene glycol under microwave hydrothermal conditions. Microwaves have been used to synthesize ceramics and metal powders. The process is eco-friendly and low input demanding, yielding high purity metal particles.

Remediation of contaminated soils and water using nano metal particles synthesized in this fashion is an innovation in itself. Another novel approach in this project is the application of ZVI particles to swine manure to reduce NH 3 emissions from composting there by eliminating the foul odor. This will encourage establishment of more swine units to help small farmers and at the same time eliminate the taboo of applying swine manure to crops. Nano particles will be synthesized using microwave system (MARS 5). Synthesized nano particles will be characterized using XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), and TEM (Transmission electron microscopy) to establish their phase formation.

Performance is evaluated through lab and field studies by measuring contaminant levels at different stages of the remediation process. Contaminated soil and water samples collected will be analyzed for contaminant level before treating with the nano particles and reanalyzed for the same contaminants after the treatment period. Comparing the analysis results will help in determining the effectiveness of the nano particles. ZVI particles will be mixed with swine manure to reduce the offensive odor and to monitor gaseous (odor) emissions different treatment levels and control samplers will be setup with periodic measurements taken for data collection and analysis.

The complete list of grants received in October (xlsx file).

ERC’s revolutionary nano work “on track”

Dr. Jag Sankar (standing) and DORED staff members at an appreciation breakfast for the ERC hosted by the Division of Research this morning

“North Carolina is emerging as a hub for nanobiotechnology by combining academic research, industrial skills and political will to kick start interdisciplinary collaborations and push breakthroughs to market. One of the stars of the show is Greensboro-based North Carolina A & T State University (NCAT), which was awarded Engineering Research Center status by the NSF in 2008.”

ERC director Dr. Jag Sankar is interviewed in a posting today on nanotechweb.org, a top nano news site in Europe.

Nanoengineering Ph.D. program wins final OK

Congratulations to Dean Jim Ryan, the Joint School and the College of Engineering: The UNC Board of Governors has unanimously approved N.C. A&T’s proposal to establish a doctoral program in nanoengineering at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering.

Ryan says the first students will enroll for the Spring 2012 semester.  The approval rounds out the set of degree programs offered at the school — a doctorate and research master’s in nanoengineering, offered by A&T, and a doctorate and professional master’s in nanoscience offered by UNCG.

Integrating nano into the life sciences

WHAT: “Integrating Nanotechnology into the Life Sciences: Lessons Learned,” a seminar by the R.J. Lee Group (Ms. Julianne Wolfe, Manager, Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Services, and Dr. Kristin Bunker, Senior Scientist).

WHEN AND WHERE: Friday, August 19, 8:30 a..m to 10 a.m., N.C. State University, Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, 850 Oval Drive, Room 123.

DETAILS: As the life sciences incorporate nanomaterials into their Quality by Design (QbD) plans, their characterization becomes a crucial element in identifying Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs). This seminar will present a series of targeted case studies providing insight gathered from numerous nanomaterials characterization projects. Case studies include quantum dot analysis, gold and silver nanoparticles and QA, POC diagnostic biosensors, and carbon nanotubes evaluations.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: A link to registration, directions and other information is available at the center’s website.  Information on the R.J. Lee Group is available at their website.  Registration is free.