CAMP Receives the First Annual Leadership Award in Nanomaterials R & D

Clarkson's expertise in colloid and fine particle science and engineering emerged in the early 1960s under the leadership of particle scientists, Professors Milton Kerker and Egon Matijevic' . Their pioneering work in the synthesis and characterization of colloidal matter established both as leaders in the field, and attracted additional outstanding scientists toClarkson. The work at Clarkson also gained the attention of others using colloids, including government agencies and industry. By 1965, the Clarkson Institute of Colloid and Surface Science was established, the first of its kind in the United States.

In 1987, Clarkson engineers under the guidance of Clarkson University Distinguished Professor William Wilcox, believed that the time was right to begin to focus on the application of the science and show industry that important colloids could be produced at industrial scale. The Institute evolved into CAMP, designated a New York State Center for Advanced Technology in 1989. Professor Wilcox was the Founding Director of CAMP, followed by Professor Raymond Mackay who was the director from 1992 to 1999.

Today, CAMP's small-particle scholars include faculty members from chemistry, physics, biology and all departments of engineering. Their research efforts continue the tradition of applying colloid technology to solve the practical needs of humanity.

"More than 20 interdisciplinary faculty are involved in developing innovations in advanced materials processing and translating this technology to business and industry that will dramatically alter and affect our physical world," said Senior University Professor Richard Partch, who also attended the meeting in Cambridge. "Our researchers are on the leading edge of discoveries with applications that range from making smaller, faster computer chips, to mitigating water and air pollution, to facilitating better medical diagnosis and treatment."

$7.25 million of last year's $30 million gift to Clarkson University from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation is being directed to support colloid science and engineering research. The gift enables Clarkson to maintain its leadership position by attracting and retaining scholars of the highest caliber through endowed chairs and endowed fellowships, including a chair in honor of Emeritus Professor Milton Kerker. Other uses include modernizing instrumentation and ongoing upgrades of laboratory facilities and equipment to maintain the state-of-the-art standards required for world-class achievements.

The University was also awarded an endowed professorship in Colloid and Surface Science. This endowed Egon Matijevic' Chair position was a gift from Charles and Lucia Shipley to honor Victor K. LaMer Professor of Chemistry Egon Matijevic' , for a lifetime of professional achievement in the field of colloid chemistry. Professor Sergiy Minko has been recruited from Germany to occupy this professorship. He joined Clarkson in 2003. In addition, Clarkson will host the Colloid and Surface Science conference of the American Chemical Society in June 2005.

Business Communications Company (BCC) of Stamford, CT, is a leader in dissemination of scientific, engineering and business information, embracing many fields of technology. BCC organizes conferences, symposia, and workshops addressing specific issues, meetings of which attract international research and business interests.

Clarkson scientists and engineers have for many years been recognized by BCC for their contributions to colloid and particle technology. In October 2000, some 50 attendees of the BCC Conference on Fine, Ultrafine and Nano Powders held in Montreal, visited CAMP for a first-hand view of Clarkson's facilities and research operations.

Without question, technology transfer is an important mechanism for stimulating the formation and growth of high-technology entrepreneurial start-ups, regional economic development, and revenue for firms and universities. Never before has technology transfer been so important. New York State, under the leadership of Governor Pataki, has embarked on a series of initiatives to significantly increase investment in high technology as a way to foster innovation, create new jobs and build a stronger economy for the future. New York's world-class academic institutions are helping to achieve these goals through their high technology initiatives and innovations. Through Governor Pataki's high technology initiatives, such as the Centers of Excellence program, the foundation has been set for continued partnerships and collaborations with universities and industry to foster the growth of the State's high-technology economy. Numerous pharmaceutical and medical products, environmentally friendlier manufacturing technologies, inventions which improve public safety, and information technology services have resulted from transferring ideas from academic laboratories to the business community and, ultimately, consumers. According to a survey by the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), New York State is the home to three of the top 10 universities in the U.S. receiving licensing income for inventions and innovations, and academic institutions in New York earned more than $282 million in license income in 2002 and filed more than 250 patents in that time period. The New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research ( NYSTAR) has worked to create and retain high technology related jobs and foster economic development through academic-based high-technology research and development. NYSTAR's programs help provide the physical and intellectual infrastructure to equip New York's universities and research institutions, allowing them to achieve unprecedented breakthroughs in science and technology. These efforts are already creating and commercializing new technologies to produce economic growth in New York State. The technology transfer awards that NYSTAR makes are chosen based on the best likelihood of economic success and the best science. This process helps to ensure that grants provided by NYSTAR are invested in initiatives that offer the highest potential for creating economic opportunities for the State's citizens. There are many examples of how technology transfer can work.

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