Recipient: Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee

Amount requested: $500,000

Project description:

This is an experimental laser physics program using ultra short laser technology, which will be used to investigate physical phenomena at the size of a few atoms. The primary goal of this effort is to prepare students at Austin Peay State University for futures in technical fields such as communications, security and “green” technologies. It will establish an outreach program for high school students to create awareness and generate excitement for future careers in physics.

Students will become familiar with the same tools used in the solar cell industry to characterize these devices, making the program and its mission synergistic with the arrival of the Hemlock Semiconductor Plant, which is constructing a $1.2 billion facility in Clarksville to manufacture polycrystaline silicon, a component of solar panels. The materials used to create solar cells must be blended to create an efficient conversion from sunlight to electricity. Engineers must be trained to characterize this material through a technique called spectroscopy.

Austin Peay State University will train Hemlock Semiconductor students in spectroscopy using state-of -the-art lasers and research equipment. This will provide the company with a well-trained pool to fulfill its workforce requirements with 80 graduates per year -- more graduates than any single major at the university.