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Villanova
University and Ben Franklin Technology Partners awarded $600,000 grant from
National Science Foundation
By Megan Armstron
'06
Villanova University’s Center for Advanced
Communications (CAC) and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern
Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) recently were awarded a three-year $600,000 grant
from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their proposal “Partnership
for broadband wireless innovations, development and commercialization.”
The partnership’s focus is Broadband Wireless
Technology, a broad discipline that encompasses three interrelated
technologies that are integral to all wireless systems: Smart Antennas,
Low-Profile Antennas and Thermal Management. “The vision of the Partnership
is to transform existing one-dimensional collaborations in broadband
wireless research, technology, education and commerce now serving the
Delaware Valley region into a multi-dimensional integrated community of
partners pursuing a common objective,” stated Dr. Moeness Amin, professor,
department of electrical and computer engineering and director of the CAC.
The partnership’s goals are: technology development
and core research by the University partners interacting with supporting
Federal Laboratories and large corporations; education diversification
through focused enrichment projects with community college and high school
partners, and education outreach through advanced engineering training
programs with industry partners; and, applied research and technology
commercialization resulting from Ben Franklin’s investment initiatives for
growth-oriented small and medium companies.
Villanova University’s CAC is a communications research program that guides
students by connecting them with the industrial community. The technological
goal of the Center is to become the leading provider of communications
research in the Delaware Valley. This grant from the NSF, which funds
research and education in most fields of science and engineering through
grants to and cooperative agreements with more than 2,000 research
institutions throughout the United States, is one of the approximately
10,000 proposals the organization funds each year. Villanova has partnered
with BFTP/SEP, and organization that provides entrepreneurs and established
businesses the capital and advisement necessary to compete in the global
marketplace. |
