(Washington, DC): -- Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) has announced that the House Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill, approved tonight in the House of Representatives, includes $2 million for a NanoSensor StageGate Accelerator (NSSA) project spearheaded by the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the Watervliet Arsenal Partnership.

"The collaboration of the Arsenal Partnership with Benet Laboratories and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at the University of Albany will bring nanotechnology to the U.S. Army, resulting in a lighter, even more responsive force. I am grateful to them for the work they are doing to give our troops higher functioning systems that will provide excellent performance even in the harshest of environments," said McNulty.

This project will support the use of nanotechnology for sensors, actuators, integrated SOC/SIP, and protective coatings/materials in harsh environment applications. Working closely with industry leaders in nanomaterials processing, this project will establish a consortia of equipment manufacturers, specialty companies and ancillary equipment suppliers concurrently supporting the development of manufacturable systems and the investment by industry at the Arsenal.

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of SUNY College of Nanoscale Sciences and Engineering said, “We are grateful to and applaud the vision and leadership of Congressman McNulty, as documented most recently by his steadfast drive to secure this critical research funding. The funding will enable innovative nanotechnology developments that will assist in the U.S. Army’s ongoing transition into a high-performance 21^st century agile force, while providing exciting commercialization opportunities in the aerospace, energy and transportation sectors. The NanoSensor StageGate Accelerator will thus integrate the unmatched technological resources of the UAlbany NanoCollege and Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership with a growing network of leading nanoelectronics companies statewide, further stamping the Capital Region as a world-class location for nanotechnology corporations, and leading to the creation and retention of high-tech, high-paying jobs.”

"This could become the single biggest source of new jobs at the site and of new business for the Arsenal and Benet Labs for years to come," said Tony Gaetano, President, Arsenal Partnership.

"This is an exciting initiative that will enable Benet Laboratories to join forces with University and industry to advance the state of the art of the weapons that are designed and produced at Watervliet to keep our forces the best equipped in the world," said Mr. Lee Bennett, Assistant Director, Benet Laboratories.

This bill passed the House last night by a vote of 395 to 13. The Senate must now pass the bill before it is sent to the White House for the President's review.

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