SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $3 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
Funding Will Be Used To Continue Groundbreaking Research Into Battery Systems And Energy Storage
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3 million in federal funding for Binghamton University. The funding was allocated through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) program. According to the DOE, Binghamton University is one of 42 EFRCS in the country selected for $100 million in funding. Specifically, the funding will enable Distinguished Professor M. Stanley Whittingham, one of the inventors of the lithium-ion battery, to continue his groundbreaking research on battery systems and energy storage. Whittingham and his colleagues will use the funding to research and better understand the fundamental chemical reactions in energy storage materials to make them work better and to develop new materials that are cheaper, environmentally friendly, and able to store more energy than current materials can.
“This critical federal investment is great news for the world-class scientists at Binghamton University, who work tirelessly to produce cutting-edge research on battery systems and energy storage," said Senator Schumer. “Binghamton University is home to some of New York State’s brightest and continues to be a leader in scientific research and innovation. This vital funding will enable Binghamton’s own Professor Whittingham and his colleagues to continue their research into energy storage, which is absolutely crucial in advancing America’s clean energy economy and energy security. I will continue to fight for funding that invests in New York State’s universities and scientists who can make a real difference in the future of groundbreaking scientific developments.”
“This federal funding will support research that is vital to the future of energy storage and battery technology,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Binghamton University is a leading research institution that produces cutting-edge scientific developments, and I will always fight for the resources to help the University continue leading in the field of energy development.”
“Smart energy basic research is crucial if we are going to meet current societal demands and remain competitive in today's global economy," said Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger. "We are so proud of the work accomplished to date by Distinguished Professor M. Stanley Whittingham. We are also grateful for the continued support we have received from the Department of Energy and from our US Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand,” said President of Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) program was established in 2009 under the DOE’s Office of Science to help spur innovation, the development of transformational technologies, and address energy security in the United States. Binghamton University will receive $2M in FY2018 and $1M in FY2019 through the program and will use the funding to support Professor M. Stanley Whittingham’s groundbreaking research on battery systems and energy storage.
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