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U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, has secured $6 million for advanced energy research projects in Northwest Indiana. According to a statement released on Thursday, the funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bills. “As the nation works to solve the energy crisis, we in Northwest Indiana can play an important role in the solution and create local economic opportunities at the same time,” Visclosky said. “This funding for advanced energy research will further the development of new energy solutions and attract high-tech jobs to the region.” Valparaiso University is slated to receive $500,000 for its solar furnace research program. “The funding will support an interdisciplinary program for undergraduate and faculty research on solar energy,” the statement said. “The program will utilize a solar furnace, a device that concentrates sunlight to produce heat, for research into ways to harness sunlight to produce materials that can be used as sources of energy.” “Congressman Visclosky’s visionary support of the Valparaiso University Solar Energy Program will have a positive, transformative impact for Northwest Indiana,” said VU President Mark Heckler. “This state-of-the-art research program and facility will allow new and interesting interactions among Valparaiso University, Northwest Indiana communities, and national research laboratories.” Purdue University Calumet will also receive $5.5 million for three programs: *$3 million for the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation to support further expansion of computational tools and equipment. “Rapid advancements in computation speeds, sophisticated graphics, and numerical methods enable the widespread use of simulation, including the design and optimization of industrial systems,” the statement said.*$2 million for the Energy Efficiency and Water Institute Research Facility. “The funding will support the expansion and equipping of laboratory and research space for two academic research programs, the Energy, Efficiency and Reliability Center and the Water Institute Research Facility,” the statement said.*$500,000 will go to Purdue University Calumet, along with Purdue West Lafayette, for the Comprehensive Wind Energy Program. “The funding will support efforts to expand a research and development program for engineers focusing on wind technologies,” the statement said.“These additional resources will fund important technology improvements, which in turn will help Purdue Calumet support local manufacturing industries’ efforts to take advantage of less costly, more efficient ways to make improvements in their operations,” said Purdue Calumet Chancellor Howard Cohen. The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill is scheduled for consideration by the full Appropriations Committee on July 7 and on the floor of the House on July 16.
Posted 6/26/2009 |
