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ASU, Army join forces for research project
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February 4, 2005
Major advances in battlefield technology are expected from an Arizona State University and U.S. Army research cooperative that starts its work today.
ASU and Army Research Laboratory officials will conduct an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. for a facility at the ASU Research Park in Tempe dedicated to developing more sophisticated and durable display screens for electronic communication and information devices used in military operations.
The Army is investing more than $43 million in the five-year Flexible Display Center endeavor, and might provide an additional $50 million over five years if the project is successful, said Gregory Raupp, an ASU chemical engineering professor and director of the center.
ASU is contributing more than $30 million in equipment and other forms of support, and more money will come each year from participating private technology companies and other research universities, Raupp said.
Researchers will work on designs for smaller, lighter and more resilient display screens for portable computers, telephones, sensors, radios and related devices.
The technology will help provide more reliable communications during combat situations, giving soldiers rapid and accurate data on such things as troop movements, enemy positions and battlefield conditions, said David Morton, who will oversee the Army Research Laboratory’s work at the ASU
center.
"The Army’s commitment on this is a big deal. . . . This is critical technology for an advanced army," Morton said.
The military also hopes to see the project lead to breakthroughs that will bring new and improved electronic products to the consumer market, he said.
ASU beat some rigorous competition from other research institutions to land the joint venture, and its should pay off by giving the school advantages in efforts to lure more high-tech research programs and funding, Raupp said.
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