The Nanotechnology Center for Collaborative Research and Development at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville presented their progress in nanotechnology research at their inaugural program Dec. 6. Eight UW System Campuses sent representatives to the event that UW-Platteville Chancellor David Markee said he hopes will foster collaborations between System campuses resulting in innovation, education and creation of knowledge for the public good.

Photograph submitted by Barb Daus
Professors, industry leaders and guests gathered at the Inaugural event of the Nanotechnology Center for Collaborative Research and Development at UW-P on Dec. 6.

Presentations were given by professors from UW-P, UW-Stevens Point, UW-River Falls, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stout, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Eau Claire and independent businesses. Topics ranged from “Tissue Engineering, Stem Cells and Nanotechnology in Western Wisconsin” to “Remote Sensing with Optical Fibers and Nanoparticles.”

According to the National Nanotechnology Initiative, Nanotechnology (or Nanotech) is the study and control of matter than is between one and 100 nanometers thick. To put that into perspective, a nanometer is a millionth of a millimeter. A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick. Being able to work with matter on this scale would allow doctors to detect and treat diseases at their earliest state and develop even smaller, more efficient computer technology.

The Nanotechnology Center for Collaborative Research and Development at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville will be located in the new engineering building located near Southwest Hall. The building will be opening next semester.
“The name of this Center was chosen very carefully,” Barb Daus, special assistant to the chancellor, said. “This is not the UW-Platteville Nanotechnology Center. It is the Nanotechnology Center at UW-Platteville. You’ll note that its mission is to foster collaboration across many campuses.”

Representative Phil Garthwaite, the state representative from the 49th district that includes Platteville attended the event.

“From a scientific, economic and local standpoint, to have UW-Platteville at the forefront of this is great,” Garthwaite said. “Jim Hamilton is a textbook example of what can be done at state universities like Platteville and it is people like him that are going to move our country forward. Research at universities like UW-Platteville can help push research in new technologies and renewable fuels that will make the U.S. less reliant on outside sources.”