U.S. "Soldier Nanotechnologies" program comes to attention
from the battletech dept.
The U.S. Armyís new Soldier Nanotechnolgies program to create a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), with industry partners, to develop nanometer-scale science and technology solutions that could be incorporated into a soldier's gear, has attracted considerable attention in the media.
- An article in Interactive Week ("Army To Invest In Cyberuniform Center", by Doug Brown, 25June 2001) reports that with an investment of $10 million annually, the Army is looking to collaborate with a to-be-decided university to start an Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. This institute will study how to incorporate new technology into the clothes and other equipment troops will carry in the 21st century.
- UPI reporter Kelly Hearn filed three reports: "Army developing high-tech uniform", and "Congressional panel hears plans for nanotechnology in the military", both 27 June 2001. The second article reports on the testimony of Delores Etter, deputy undersecretary of defense for science and technology. Etter, along with chief scientists from other military departments, before the House Armed Services Strategic Subcommittee on the state of military research and development, on 26 June 2001. Prepared statements by Etter and others can be found on the Committeeís website, but these do not contain much explicit mention of nanotechnology. And Hearn also interviewed Dr. Michael Andrews, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Research and Technology about Army research programs in nanotechnology and robotics.
An Army-sponsored workshop that initiated the program was previously covered here on nanodot.