Nanotechnology Facilities Planned at Texas Universities

Southwest Texas State University (SWT) is partnering with the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas Dallas and Rice University to create the Strategic Partnership for Nanotechnology (SPRING). The three schools plan to develop or update their nanotechnology facilities by securing funding from federal and private grants. SWT San Marcos is planning the Nanotechnology Failure Analysis, Materials, Evaluation and Education Center (NanoFAME). SWT is seeking $5.5 million in funding to develop the NanoFAME research lab and workforce development program. Spring of 2003 is targeted for the opening of SWT's nanotechnology program, when its $42 million art, technology and physics building reaches completion; the program's start date may hinge on funding from the federal fiscal 2003 budget.