The University of New Hampshire is using a $5.3 million dollar gift to set up a new advanced manufacturing center at its Durham campus.
UNH plans to develop partnerships with local manufacturing firms so students can develop skills by working on real-world projects.
Sam Mukasa is Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at UNH. He says one of the center's areas of focus will be what's known as flexible electronics - "gadgets you buy in stores, they're all becoming miniaturized; some of them you can wear these things," he says. "We're interested particularly in the so-called micro- and nano-fabrication sector that a number of companies in the state are also engaged in."
Mukasa says the center will have about 10 paid student interns; they'll assist several hundred students with class projects and experiential learning.
The facility is set to open this fall and will be known as the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center; it will be named for the retiring president of Whelen Engineering, which gave the start up funds.
