LAWMAKER PRAISES NANOTECH INCREASE
The new chairwoman of the U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee praised the Bush administration’s commitment to nanotechnology, but criticized funding cuts in other sciences.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski, (D-Md.), whose subcommittee funds the National Science Foundation (NSF), said she is pleased with the proposed 16 percent increase for the foundation’s nanotechnology budget in the administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2002.
While the overall budget for the foundation would increase, she expressed concern with cuts in core programs for math, science, computers and engineering. That money goes toward graduate student stipends and school programs.
The appropriations bill, which includes funding for the NSF, is expected to move out of the subcommittee and into the full Senate next month, an aide said.
CHINA: SCIENCE IS ANSWER TO ‘EVIL SECT’
The Chinese government says ignorance of science leads people to spiritual movements such as Falun Gong, according to a report Xinhua, China’s official news agency.
The report said China is launching a nationwide science popularization drive that includes billboards with pro-science messages and public consultation services by scientists.
Officials say the campaign will help spread knowledge of nanotechnology, biochips and gene engineering, but it also continues the government’s campaign against Falun Gong, a spiritual movement that incorporates exercise, meditation and music.
China, which has outlawed Falun Gong, calls it an “evil sect” and has detained its members. Falun Gong and human rights groups have accused the nation of beating followers and killing a disabled member. The government denies mistreatment.
FRENCH MEMS FIRM WINS AWARD
MEMSCAP, a French provider of MEMS-based wireless and optical communications devices and services, received the European Semiconductor/Wacker Siltronics award for best European start-up, according to a company statement.
The award is given to a company that is less than five years old and meets several criteria. MEMSCAP was recognized for being the first MEMS-based company to complete an initial public offering, and do so during an adverse economic climate.
AMPLIFIER CHIP INTRODUCED
Agere Systems has created what it’s calling the industry’s first 16-channel high-voltage amplifier chip for MEMS-based optical switches, which it said simplifies design and production of optical networking systems.
Agere, based in Allentown, Pa., said the chip provides the voltages needed to position micromirrors that steer high-bandwidth optical signals between input and output ports in a switch. It replaces systems that require high-voltage transistors combined with lower voltage operational amplifiers, a company statement said.
Agere, formerly the Microelectronics Group of Lucent Technologies, is expected to be spun off into an independent company, the statement said. Agere develops semiconductors for communications applications.
FIRM GETS $17.5M IN SENSOR SALES
BEI Technologies Inc. announced today its Systron Donner Inertial Division recently signed contracts with major international avionics manufacturing companies totaling more than $17.5 million for high-performance versions of its GyroChip rate sensor.
The MEMS-based sensors are used in the next generation of solid-state avionics systems, which are required in all commercial aircraft, the company said. MEMS technology has been replacing the older and less reliable rotating mass gyroscopes used for altitude references and flight controls, according to a company release.
BEI, based in San Francisco, makes electronic sensors and engineered subsystems used in factory and process automation, scientific and medical equipment, telecommunications and transportation.