Third of a four-part series: 256 Today recently recognized area leaders in innovation and dedication to the nation. The Program of the Year is UAH’s Future Technologies and Enabling Plasma Processes initiative.
HUNTSVILLE — Alabama research scientists and engineers are laying the groundwork to transform the state’s economy into a model that would be aligned more closely to the requirements of the 21st century.
This initiative, the Future Technologies and Enabling Plasma Processes (FTPP), is being funded $40 million by the National Science Foundation during a period of 10 years. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is managing Alabama’s effort and the consortium is producing encouraging results, according to Dr. Sandra Richardson of the National Science Foundation.
FTPP is a 10-member university and industry consortium. The group includes nine Alabama universities and CFD Research, a company based in Huntsville.
The project leverages Alabama’s laboratory and space plasma science expertise to contribute scientific knowledge, technologies, and workforce to Alabama’s aerospace, manufacturing, advanced materials, medical, bioscience, and agricultural sectors.
The research could result in the creation of thousands of high-wage jobs across a broad spectrum of existing technologies, as well as the establishment of new technologies which could provide a revolution of change for workers and industries across Alabama.
“Plasma science and engineering has the potential to transform many areas of modern society,” said Richardson, the NSF’s leader for the effort. “From the creation of novel materials, agricultural applications, sterilization and food safety, all the way to space weather forecasting, developing Plasma Science and Engineering transformational technologies will help to shape Alabama’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) enterprises.”
Alabama is mounting an aggressive approach that will direct the state toward regional and national leadership in the high-technology plasma science and engineering industries by building a homegrown collaborative base for research, new technology development and commercialization, as well as a knowledgeable workforce.
Sustained support by the NSF’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is expanding Alabama’s expertise in plasma, a versatile, highly energized form of gas that has numerous scientific and commercial applications.
“The overall mission of EPSCoR is aligned with making Alabama a leader in plasma science and engineering research and workforce development,” said Richardson. “We are excited to support the jurisdiction in growing in new ways to further expand participation and research competitiveness in the state’s research ecosystem.”
NSF awards have backed two successive projects, both managed by UAH, and the possibility of much larger funding is possible.
The current grant is a five-year, $20 million, Future Technologies & enabling Plasma Processes (FTPP) project is being directed by UAH scientist Dr. Gary Zank.
Zank is chair of the Department of Space Science and director of the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research at UAH.
FTPP is considered a springboard to an even larger possible NSF grant of up to $160 million under a program that would fund Regional Innovation Engines. Achieving that level of support would establish Alabama as a southeastern regional hub for plasma expertise and boost the creation of thousands of high-paying technical careers in the state and region.
Each NSF engine will support the development of diverse regional coalitions of researchers, institutions, and companies to conduct research and development that engages people in the process of creating solutions with economic and societal impacts. Through the process, NSF engines will train and develop the local workforce and grow regional innovation ecosystems throughout the U.S.
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