MN Nano...
... is a statewide non-profit organization working to establish Minnesota's standing as a region of excellence in nanoscience. The future health of our economic region is dependent upon significant utilization and expansion of technology.  In order for Minnesota to be competitive vs. other states (and countries), it is imperative we leverage nanotechnology as a key enabler in innovating solutions for urgent problems.

UMN Experimental Physics & Nanotechnology Building gets the "GO! Sign" in Special Session!

University of Minnesota College of Science & Engineering students Stephen Snyder, Andrew Pyle and Molly Krogstad are shown in the Governor's Reception Room at the state capitol with Governor Mark Dayton and Bob Hoerr (Nanocopoeia co-founder and Chairman of Scientific Board of Advisors; MN Nano board member), following a January 31 press conference lauding the importance of the physics/nano building project.

As part of an historic "global agreement" to bring the governmental shut-down and 2011-12 biennial budget stand-off to a close, the Governor and Legislature agreed to a $500+ million capital investment bill, officially passed by the Legislature in its Special Session. The bill includes $51.333 million for the proposed experimental physics and nanotechnology building project MN Nano, the University of Minnesota (UMN) and others have been advocating for since the fall of 2009.

"We are delighted Governor Dayton has viewed this building as a priority," said Steve Crouch, Dean of the UMN College of Science and Engineering, referencing how Dayton made it the centerpiece of his proposed bonding bill early in the 2011 Regular Session. "Many legislators, regardless of their partisan persuasion, have also made this project a priority and we are grateful for their support. This is tremendous news for the university and we are very pleased to have this building get the 'green light.'"

"Seeing this building come to fruition has been a top legislative priority for us," explains Rich Baker, vice president of engineering for MTS Systems Corporation and MN Nano board chairman. "We are very pleased legislators and the Governor agreed to advance this project now, rather than wait for the 2012 session. This means construction crews can be in the ground soon, putting up a building that will play a critical role in this state's ability to compete for highly-skilled faculty and graduate students."

Baker acknowledged the many private-sector individuals who have taken the time to contact their legislators so lawmakers would see the importance of this project, "not as 'just another building at the University,' but as vitally important to fast-tracking interdisciplinary research for commercialization opportunities to positively impact our future economy."

To view plans for the Physics and Nanotechnology building, click here.