Naval Undersea Warfare Center and University of Texas at Austin kick off "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2004"

Since 06-29-04

NSL UPDATE 05-24-2004

Naval Undersea Warfare Center and University of Texas at Austin kick off "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2004"
From Team Submarine Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. -- The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Newport Division, and the University of Texas at Austin began a month-long class on nanotechnology May 10, 2004. 

The course, "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2004," is divided into eight 90-minute VTC sessions that culminate in a three-day wrap-up conference at Newport, and covers current nanoscience and nanotechnology topics including carbon nanotubes, nanowires, nano-tools, nanoscale physics, nanomechanics, and biological nanosystems (nano stands for one-billionth of a meter). 

The course will also introduce NUWC personnel to UT-Austin's nanotechnology researchers and their work.  This effort could lead to future collaborative efforts.

Nanotechnology holds the potential to revolutionize undersea warfare.  By micro-sizing computers, sensors, and off-board technologies, nanotechnologies could drastically increase a submarine's payload.  By using ever-smaller building blocks, the submarine force and the entire Navy could produce smaller, more capable, lighter, and cheaper components.

By teaming with UT-Austin's preeminent Center for Nano and Molecular Science and Technology's (CNM) 60-plus faculty members and approximately 360 graduate students, NUWC is moving forward in bringing nanotechnologies to the Fleet.

The nanotechnology course is just the latest example of NUWC's and UT-Austin's bourgeoning relationship.  The two organizations came together October 4, 2002 when then NUWC's commander, Rear Admiral John D. Butler, and UT-Austin's president, Dr. Larry R. Faulkner, signed an educational partnership agreement on nanoscience and engineering. 

The agreement paved the way not only for "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2004," but also for supporting graduate student research and development, for NUWC scientists and engineers to help develop graduate level curriculum, and to provide research topics and guidance to the CNM's graduate students.

"While this Educational Partnership has been productive, 'Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2004' is further solidifying an already strong relationship between NUWC and UT-Austin" said the NUWC Commander, Rear Admiral William G. Timme.

Rear Admiral John Butler, now Program Executive Officer Submarines said, "I look forward to the day when the Navy can start putting nanotechnology systems aboard both our new Virginia Class submarines, and our in-service ships.  As I said in October 2002, nanotechnologies could change the way submarines operate and carry out their missions." 

If the Educational Partnership continues to grow at its current pace, nanotechnologies may be closer to reality than to science fiction.