Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand revealed that the State University of New York at Albany will receive $1.87 million in funding from the omnibus funding package for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. The omnibus is expected to pass Congress and be signed into law this week.
The funding will be used for two projects:
Vertical Sensing Evaluation Initiative ($1.35 million): Funding will be utilized to continue and expand work on a dedicated Vertical Sensing Evaluation Initiative in New York to study the planetary boundary layer, which is one of the next frontiers of weather and climate science. A more advanced understanding will be used to better predict and understand climate change and extreme weather events. This effort also has direct relevance to wind strength measurements needed in New York’s inland and coastal regions for both the siting of new wind energy generation installations as well as real-time monitoring for load forecasts that are needed to facilitate integration of wind and solar energy power onto state and regional electric grids.
Advancement of Ion Beam Laboratory ($520k): Funding will be used for the Ion Beam Laboratory’s plans to expand its capabilities. Specifically, the IBL will be able to use the funding to:
- Upgrade the vacuum, control, and measurement systems of the 4 MeV accelerator
- Design and build a low energy ion implant accelerator to simulate the impact of solar winds on material and devices used in space vehicles and satellites.
- Purchase an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer for atomic-level material analysis to study the impact of ion implantation on semiconductor wafers and better support advanced technology development and to prepare the industry for the next generation of the technological revolution in advanced chip manufacturing.
“UAlbany just got a major boost to jumpstart cutting-edge research from studying microchips at the atomic level to helping fight climate change and predicting rapidly changing weather patterns in real time,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to deliver this nearly $2 million federal investment to help train the next generation of scientists at UAlbany and spur technologic innovation in the Capital Region.”
“From studying weather and climate science to supporting advanced technology development and innovations in chip manufacturing, these projects at UAlbany are helping lead New York into the future,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am proud to have helped secure this funding, which will help UAlbany remain on the leading edge of innovation and technological advancement.”
“New York is lucky to have representatives in Congress who truly understand the power of science to improve society and help us live more sustainably,” said University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez. “With this funding UAlbany researchers can leverage NYS Mesonet data to optimize renewable energy generation in New York and use the University’s particle accelerator to provide critical new insights on the impact of solar winds on electronic devices in space and how to improve the efficiency of electric car batteries. We are very grateful as always for the strong support of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for our ability to conduct this important research in the public interest.”