Cutting Edge Research Facility Was Made Possible by $36 million in State Support
CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R Blagojevich celebrated the opening of the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM), who held a dedication ceremony today at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory. The state provided $36 million to help construct this dynamic new facility as part of the Governor’s aggressive strategy to spur scientific and economic growth and create more jobs throughout Northeast Illinois.
“Nanotechnology is the most significant technological frontier being explored today. Materials and devices at the nanoscale level hold vast promise to help us cure the sick, protect our environment and make us more secure. But that is only the beginning. By investing in cutting edge research projects like this one at Argonne with the Department of Energy, we’re proving why Illinois continues to be a national leader in scientific innovation that is changing our world and creating better jobs for more people,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The Center for Nanoscale Materials is a joint DOE-State of Illinois project to examine the structure and properties of material on a nanoscale. Illinois now has an unparalleled resource to provide basic nanoscale research that will lead to industrial and commercial applications in medicine, microelectronics, manufacturing, information technology and homeland security. Speakers at the dedication ceremony included Argonne National Laboratory Director Robert Rosner, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer, Patricia Dehmer, Associate Director for Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Science at the USDOE and Kristi Lafleur, Chief of Staff of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
“It’s hard to imagine a technology that won’t be impacted by nanoscience, including biotechnology, computation, materials development and energy technology – the list is endless,” said Eric Isaacs, Center for Nanoscale Materials Director. “We expect the CNM to attract hundreds of researchers to Argonne each year. What they accomplish here will forever change how we view materials and how we put them to work to improve our world.”
The nanoscale refers to a size one-billionth of a meter, or about 70,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Materials at that size exhibit entirely different properties from conventional materials. Specifically, temperature, electricity and magnetism are completely different from that of conventional materials and could form the basis of new technologies. The 85,000-square foot CNM building houses instruments, laboratories, clean rooms and work space to assist in fabricating and understanding these tiny materials. Each year, the facility will be utilized by visiting scientists and students from Illinois industry and universities, and other national laboratories.
Argonne is located about 25 miles southwest of Chicago’s Loop, surrounded by DuPage County Forest Preserve land.
“The investment Gov. Blagojevich is making in the Center for Nanoscale Materials is another example of how he has a plan to grow technology and industries of the future. Argonne is one of the nation's premier science labs and one of this region's most dynamic resources. By supporting this project, we're capitalizing on one of our greatest competitive strengths and fueling the growth of the profound scientific discovery taking place here in Illinois,” Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin said.