About WVNano
West Virginia University’s WVNano Initiative is the institution’s focal point for discovery and innovation in nanoscale science, engineering and education (NSEE). Elevated to a State-wide initiative in 2006 through award of an NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement grant to the State of West Virginia, WVU’s WVNano Initiative continues its leadership role, now in partnership with colleagues at partner state institutions.
Origins
The Initiative has its origins around 2000 with informal discussions between cross-cutting collaborative groups interested in enhancing and advancing WVU’s NSEE efforts. These discussions among the founding participants of WVNano focused on faculty expertise, infrastructure, academic and business operations, and culture needs revealed through their collective research paths. Early in 2002, these meetings were formalized by the WVU Research Office. In order to capture the opportunities identified by this group, the WVNano Initiative was formed in early 2004 under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development at WVU to form a critical bridge between interdisciplinary faculty efforts in NSEE and upper administration (Provost, VP, Deans) in a position to take enabling action.
Initiative Objectives
The WVNano Initiative at WVU has three primary objectives: 1) Solidify and grow NSEE research, 2.) Advance supporting NSEE research infrastructure, and 3.) Build the NSEE culture.
Research
WVNano’s central objective is to advance the research environment and diversify West Virginia’s economic base through cultivation and growth of vigorous research in targeted areas of nanoscale science and engineering. The Initiative’s research builds on and connects our core strengths in the bio-nano-info triad. Our technical efforts target coordinated discovery in materials, devices, and biomolecular systems to advance molecular recognition and transport device innovation of societal impact in security, health, environment and energy applications.
Infrastructure
WVNano’s second objective is to advance the infrastructure necessary to support NSEE research. This infrastructure includes facility/laboratory, academic, and administrative resources and policies for support of interdisciplinary NSEE programs. To achieve this objective, WVNano is establishing and evolving policies for usage of shared NSE equipment and facilities. The Initiative leadership also works in concert with units across campus and with administration at all levels to collaboratively address policy issues identified by its faculty participants as enabling to NSEE efforts.
Culture
WVNano’s third objective to build NSEE culture on campus is an underpinning to the Initiative’s success. The characteristics of this culture includes an environment in which extensive exchange and discourse among disciplines is not only enabled, but emerges as essential for research and educational program advancement. To achieve this objective, an extensive set of education and human resource development activities are advanced by the Initiative. These activities range from bridging science and education at the undergrad and graduate levels, to faculty mentorship and development.
Resources
Primary financial resources supporting achievement of the Initiative’s objectives initially derived from a $9M NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Grant awarded to West Virginia to further the core research of WVNano and extend it state wide. The State of West Virginia, through the WV EPSCoR office in Charleston, is contributing an additional $4.5 million, bringing the total federal and state commitment to $13.5 million. West Virginia University has renewed its longstanding commitment to WVU’s WVNano Initiative with an enhanced commitment of $8M in support.
These financial commitments compliment those of Departments and Colleges in space, renovations, and investments in the shared facilities and laboratories for which WVNano serves as steward.
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