Planning Grant to Establish an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Separations Using Thin Films

使用薄膜进行分离是一项新兴技术，可以成为化学加工和生物技术行业经济竞争力的关键。分离步骤通常是决定产品成本的主要因素。业界已表示有兴趣支持一个使用薄膜分离的合作研究中心。联合首席调查人员有很高的资格指导对工业/大学合作研究中心使用薄膜进行分离的可行性和可行性的研究。这项研究将确定，随着NSF资金的逐步取消，该中心是否有潜力在五年内通过工业资金实现自给自足。该中心的目标是满足工业的一般研究需求，特别是在聚合物膜、薄膜工艺、纤维涂层、先进陶瓷材料、生物传感器、表面科学和催化、液晶和化学络合方面。科罗拉多大学的I/UCR中心似乎是满足上述需求的一种有希望的方法。将研究替代的组织、业务和政策，以及行业的兴趣和研究中的具体需求。项目经理建议向科罗拉多大学奖励25,000美元，为期一年，以资助这样一项研究。未来的所有资金都将建立在一项新提案的基础上。这一建议已经与分离和纯化工艺项目的项目主任Jeffrey H.Harwell博士进行了协调。

The use of thin films to perform separations is an emerging technology which can be a key in the economic competitiveness of the chemical process and biotechnology industries. The separation step is often the major factor in determining the cost of a product. Industry has indicated an interest in supporting a cooperative research center in separations using thin films. The co-principal investigators are highly qualified to direct a study of the viability and feasibility of an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Separations Using Thin Films. The study would determine if the Center has the potential to become self-sufficient with industrial funding in a five-year period as NSF funding is phased out. The objective of such a Center would be to address the generic research needs of industry, especially in polymeric membranes, thin film processes, fiber coatings, advanced ceramic materials, biosensors, surface science and catalysis, liquid crystals, and chemical complexation. An I/UCR Center at the University of Colorado appears to be a promising approach to satisfy the noted need. Alternative organizations, operations, and policies would be studied as well as industry's interests and specific needs in research. The Program Manager recommends that the University of Colorado be awarded $25,000 for one year to fund such a study. All future funding will be on the basis of a new proposal. This recommendation has been coordinated with Dr. Jeffrey H. Harwell, Program Director of the Separation and Purification Processes Program.