The New UofL Science and Technology Research Center
More than 40 research scientists and engineers from diverse disciplines will come together in a new 106,000 square foot research facility on the University of Louisville's main campus. When the $42 million University of Louisville Science and Technology Research Center is complete, the University of Louisville will be home to one of the premier multidisciplinary research facilities in the region. Omni Architects has been selected to head the Research Center's design team, which also involves internationally known consultants from Massachusetts, Arizona and California. Abbie Gregg Incorporate is leading the design of the 10,000 sq. ft. mutli-user cleanroom core facility, the signature research lab in the building.
An initial $25 million grant from the Commonwealth as part of its commitment to the University's long-range strategic plan, will fund roughly 60% of the total cost for the construction of the Science and Technology Research Center. An additional $1 million has been committed to the building funds at this time. Attempts to raise the remaining $16 million shortfall are underway. Naming opportunities for large gifts are planned along with broad-based campaigns to University and community constituents. National foundations and corporations with an interest in basic research science will also be solicited.
The importance of this facility cannot be understated. The research occurring in basic science and engineering disciplines form the backbone of the more easily recognized high technology and medical advances that receive the lion’s share of the media coverage. This work is critically important, but receives little attention outside of scientific community. As such, it is extremely difficult to attract philanthropic dollars to provide support to build the infrastructure necessary to sustain this work.
Several multi-million dollar grants from federal agencies will support research carried out in the new Research Center including grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautic and Space Administration. The Research Center will be home to the Commonwealth's largest controlled-environment “core” facility needed for the fabrication of miniature devices. This "cleanroom" will allow UofL researchers to use a wide range of equipment to fabricate, package, and test various microelectronic devices and circuits. The expanded cleanroom will be a catalyst for start-up businesses and will have a positive impact on the economy of the Commonwealth. Other key facilities within the structure will be biological, chemical and engineering research laboratories, conference and “break” rooms and a multipurpose 100-seat capacity area with audio-visual capabilities.
UofL engineers with specialties in MEMS, bioMEMS, nanotechnology, electrooptics, biomechanics, bioengineering, microfabrication, and theoretical and applied physics, will rub shoulders with scientists from the College of Arts and Sciences with expertise in molecular, cellular and structural biology and medicinal and combinatorial chemistry, and with cancer and genetic researchers from the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. Together they will work on joint or related projects at the forefront of biology, medicine and engineering. To enhance multidisciplinary research, the placement of laboratories will be located so that faculty with similar interests, regardless of discipline, will be in close proximity.
According to UofL President James Ramsey, the project will propel the programs selected for inclusion in the Research Center into national prominence. He believes in particular that the proximity of the programs to each other in one building will encourage the formation of a true research community for the entire University and bring international recognition to many of the researchers.