New $5 million
Chair in Nanoelectronics at University of Texas at Arlington
(Nanowerk News) Dr. Robert Magnusson has been
appointed to the Texas Instruments Distinguished University Chair in
Nanoelectronics, a $5 million endowed chair for The University of
Texas at Arlington.
A $1 million gift from Texas Instruments is being
coupled with $1 million from UT Arlington to make up the $2 million
permanent endowment for the chair. Additional funding of $2.5
million is provided by the state’s Emerging Technology Fund along
with $500,000 from the UT System STARS (Science and Technology
Acquisition and Retention) Program for a total commitment of $5
million.
Dr. Robert
Magnusson
Dr. Magnusson taught at UT Arlington from 1984-98 and
served as chairman of the Department of Electrical Engineering here
from 1998-2001. He also is the founder and chief technology officer
for Resonant Sensors Inc.
“We are so pleased that Dr. Magnusson has returned to
Maverick country,” UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo said.
“Texas Instruments – always an insightful player in future
technology – recognizes the value of Dr. Magnusson’s research. And
they have backed up that keen perception with a generous
contribution to this endowed chair. We look forward to future
collaborations with Texas Instruments.”
“TI’s grant makes a strong statement – we believe in
the exciting future of nanoelectronics and in the solid research
capabilities of UTA,” said Philip J. Ritter, TI senior vice
president of public affairs. “Research strength among our local
universities is critical to the future success of our company and
our region, and we are pleased to contribute to the funding of this
chair.”
Dr. Magnusson has developed a new class of
nanostructured photonic devices that have applications in lasers,
sensors, solar cells and display technology. Near-term projects
include commercialization of new biosensor platforms for drug
discovery and medical diagnostics. The technology could make drug
discovery happen in real time instead of waiting hours, days or
weeks for results.
“We’re looking forward to bringing more of these
devices and processes to market,” said Dr. Magnusson, who already
has obtained dozens of patents on related technology. “We believe
that our technology will help revolutionize the medical device and
drug discovery industries.”
TI Senior Fellow Dr. Robert R. Doering said,
“Nanoelectronics innovations will help solve some of the world’s
most pressing problems such as health care, energy efficiency and
safety. Dr. Magnusson’s ground-breaking research will develop
next-generation solutions where there are issues in medicine today,
reducing the time it takes to bring new drugs to market or to
determine medical diagnoses.”
Arjuna “Arjun” Sanga, associate vice chancellor for
Technology Transfer at The University of Texas System, said the
researchers who were drawn to UT System institutions are not only
leaders with great research track records, but they also understand
commercialization and what it takes to create new companies. “The
program has done exactly what we envisioned,” Sanga said. “We set
out to bring the best people to Texas, and they’ve come. We are
tremendously grateful to Texas Instruments in showing outstanding
leadership in participating in this visionary program.”
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