University of Hawai'i University Relations Media & Publications Honolulu, HI 96822	(808) 956-8856 Telephone (808) 956-3441 Facsimile ur@hawaii.edu E-Mail
For Immediate Release:	November 2, 1998
Contact: Joel Blumenthal , NSF PR 98-73 (703) 306-1070

NSF INVESTS $10 MILLION IN NEW ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTERS The National Science Foundation (NSF) has invested $10 million to fund the first year of new Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) in Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, South Carolina and Virginia. The five new centers are pioneering fields such as tissue engineering, computer assisted surgery, computer modeling and visualization of industrial materials, power electronics and marine bioproducts. "As research expands knowledge, the perceived boundaries between the classic disciplines of engineering and science are beginning to blur," said Eugene Wong, NSF assistant director for engineering. "The Engineering Research Centers not only expand the frontiers of engineering technology, they prepare the next generation of engineering leaders." Each of the five new centers will receive $2 million in the first year from the NSF, leveraged by support from industry, state governments and partnering universities. NSF will support the centers for five years, after which the support agreement is subject to renewal. The NSF has established 34 ERCs nationwide since 1985. NSF created the ERC program to foster partnerships between government, industry and universities in research and engineering. The purpose of these partnerships is to strengthen U.S. industry's position in the global economy. ERC partnerships work to solve crucial research issues that could hinder advances in emerging technologies. As the ERCs develop advanced technologies, they also prepare the next generation of engineers with practical experience in leadership and team-building skills.     -NSF-