$12.5 million DOE award solidifies alternative-fuel research leadership
The U.S. Department of Energy has selected USC to house a research center expected to bring $12.5 million in federal funding, the largest award in the university's history, to a team of internationally recognized energy researchers in the College of Engineering and Computing.

BASF Fuel Cell supports Benicewicz study
Dr. Brian Benicewicz, the USC Center for Economic Excellence endowed chair in Polymer Nanocomposite Research, has received a $320,000 grant from BASF Fuel Cell GmbH/Inc. to support research on high-temperature fuel cells. “It’s an excellent partnership and a model for future industry-university relationships,” Benicewicz said.

Benicewicz, known for his work in polymer nanocomposites, is also well known for his work in developing fuel-cell membranes that function at temperatures higher than most, resulting in a fuel-cell system that is more durable and longer lasting.

To learn more about the University’s Hydrogen research, visit http://www.sc.edu/hydrogen or click on the hydrogen research banner at the top of the banner column on this page.

USC research strong, competitive
University of South Carolina research awards totaled nearly $83 million for the first half of fiscal year 2009, an increase of almost 5 percent compared to the same period of fiscal year 2008.

Congress Finalizes Stimulus Bill with $21.5 Billion for Federal R&D
Congress finalized a $790 billion economic recovery bill (HR 1) on February 12, and sent the bill to President Obama a day later after final votes in the House and Senate. The current AAAS analysis of the potential impacts of the draft stimulus appropriations bill on federal R&D funding is now available. Basic competitiveness-related research, biomedical research, energy R&D, and climate change programs are high priorities in the economic recovery bill.

GRANT program graduates 34
At a standing-room-only Russell House ceremony January 29, USC’s GRANT (Gamecock Research Administrators Networking and Training) program added 34 new names to its graduates roster as Interim Provost Ted Moore and Vice Provost for Health Sciences Russ Pate offered praise and encouragement.