Gov. George E. Pataki announced that the Center for Electronic Imaging Systems (CEIS) has been awarded $2.6 million to expand its research and development activities. CEIS, organized by the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology, links electronic imaging businesses in New York State with academic researchers so that businesses can benefit from the high-level research of a university, and academic scientists can bring their research to the marketplace. Pataki presented the award when he visited the University's South Campus on April 19.
The award will greatly expand CEIS to include microelectronics businesses and six more New York universities-Columbia, Alfred, Cornell, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, SUNY Buffalo and Syracuse. Major companies such as IBM, Eastman Kodak and Xerox have already pledged their commitment to support the new center. Among the benefits to industry are:
· Small and medium NYS-based companies will be better able to participate in the microelectronics industry. · Higher quality design resources and services available in-state. · A single point of contact for a wide variety of microelectronics design capabilities and resources. · Opportunities for non-competitive technology sharing by NYS companies.
"The University is pleased to be selected for one of the first NYSTAR eCAT awards," says Thomas H. Jackson, president of the University of Rochester. "Our director, Eby Friedman, and his co-principal investigator, Charles Zukowski from Columbia University, will lead an effort by eight universities in chip design closely linked to industry needs to advance the competitive posture of New York State. This interaction will enhance what we've been working to build throughout the University, including both our traditional strengths in such areas as electronic imaging, through the CAT, but also in new and exciting areas such as photonics and biomedical technologies-areas emphasized by Governor Pataki's new statewide initiatives."
The award builds on the governor's $1 billion high-technology and biotechnology plan, which he unveiled in his State of the State address in January. The initiative will help the state become a worldwide leader in university-based research, business creation and job development.