有關英文報紙內容的問題[3-D technology puts UNT institute on map]

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有關英文報紙內容的問題[3-D technology puts UNT institute on map]


3-D technology puts UNT institute on map
Research lab progresses with high-tech tools as federal funds near end
12:00 AM CST on Saturday, November 25, 2006
By MATTHEW ZABEL / Denton Record-Chronicle
The smallest particles imaginable have been worth millions in federal grants to the University of North Texas.
Now researchers can see them in 3-D.
For the fourth consecutive year, Congress has earmarked money for UNT's Advanced Research and Technology Institute in the College of Engineering.
This year, the college will have another $4 million to spend, making a total of more than $15 million over the past four years.
But this will be the last year for such federal funding, said Dr. Michael Kaufman, chairman of the materials science department, so researchers will need to find public and private grants to keep the center functioning.
Each year, the college has added expensive equipment, most recently a local electrode atom probe, one of only 10 in the world.
The microscope allows researchers to look at particles in three dimensions rather than two. And when that machine is used in conjunction with two other high-tech microscopes, UNT has a laboratory that is coveted in the technology fields.
This technology has helped Dr. Brian Gorman, an assistant professor and director of the electron and ion microscopy laboratory, as he tries to find ways to improve solar cells.
"Right now, the mass-produced solar cells, like the ones in your home, are not very efficient," Dr. Gorman said. "Maybe, we can make those more efficient."
The technology also could help make faster computer chips, stronger steel and many other products better.
Because of the laboratory's capabilities, many technology research companies work with UNT researchers and students, Dr. Gorman said.
Graduate student Meggan Weeks said she hopes her experience working with the equipment might land her a job in that field.
Dr. Kaufman said many researchers outside materials science have already used the lab, and he wants faculty in other departments at UNT to know about the equipment in case it would help them with their research.
"There's been a lot of interest from the chemistry, physics and biology departments" in the microscope, Dr. Kaufman said. "Our new program, mechanical and energy engineering will use it. Computer science, engineering technology and people at the health science center will use it, too."

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