The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is awarding $55.5 million to three new Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) to create novel technology platforms and transform industries.

Shown here is a spatial model of thermal loads generated in a candidate electronic system. The distribution of temperature is superimposed on the two-dimensional layout of individual chip sets. (Image Credit: Professor Alan Mantooth at University of Arkansas)Shown here is a spatial model of thermal loads generated in a candidate electronic system. The distribution of temperature is superimposed on the two-dimensional layout of individual chip sets. (Image Credit: Professor Alan Mantooth at University of Arkansas)The Engineering Research Center for Power Optimization for Electro-Thermal Systems (POETS) is one of them. The center aims to enhance or increase the electric power density available in tightly constrained mobile environments by changing the design. The work will enable the manufacture of lighter, more compact and more efficient power electronic systems for cars, airplanes, construction equipment, handheld tools and other mobile applications. POETS will be led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in partnership with Howard University, Stanford University and the University of Arkansas.

The two other new ERCs are:

The modular treatment systems, which will need less energy and fewer chemicals, will safely enlist the selective properties of reusable engineered nanomaterials to provide clean water at any location or scale.(Image Credit: NEWT/Rice University)The modular treatment systems, which will need less energy and fewer chemicals, will safely enlist the selective properties of reusable engineered nanomaterials to provide clean water at any location or scale.(Image Credit: NEWT/Rice University)Off-grid drinking water. The NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment Systems (NEWT) will pursue high-performance and easy-to-deploy water treatment systems that can turn both wastewater and seawater into clean drinking water. The modular treatment systems, which will need less energy and fewer chemicals, will safely enlist the selective properties of reusable engineered nanomaterials to provide clean water at any location or scale. NEWT will be led by Rice University in partnership with Arizona State University, the University of Texas at El Paso and Yale University.

Nature-inspired soil engineering. The NSF Engineering Research Center for bio-mediated and bio-inspired geotechnics (CBBG) will investigate natural underground biological processes to engineer the ground in ways that reduce construction costs and environmental impacts, while mitigating natural hazards and existing environmental degradation. Transformational new ground engineering methods will improve the sustainability and resiliency of civil infrastructure systems, including bridges, buildings, underground construction and resource exploration. CBBG will be led by Arizona State University in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, New Mexico State University and the University of California, Davis.

The NSF ERCs collaborate with international university partners and American technology companies to conduct translational research and prepare U.S. engineering students to participate in the global economy. Including these three new fiscal-year 2015 awards, NSF supports 20 ERCs in the areas of advanced manufacturing; biotechnology and health care; energy, sustainability and infrastructure; and microelectronics, sensing and information technology.

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National Science Foundation

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