The College is expected to receive $1.7 million for equipment, lab upgrades and training under a state grant that partners the College with Superpower Inc. and Schenectady County Community College to develop a workforce for Superpower's commercial production of superconducting wire starting in 2006.
The grant, contingent on final approval of the state budget, would provide the College with mechanical, microscopy and quality control testing equipment; a clean room and characterization laboratory; and internship and professional development programs.
Schenectady-based SuperPower is developing second-generation high temperature semiconductors (2G HTS) that can carry electricity without losses from resistance. 2G HTS wire can carry 3 to 10 times the power of conventional conductors such as copper or aluminum. This allows for lighter, smaller, and more environmentally friendly electrical equipment such as generators, motors, power cables and transformers.
The U.S. Department of Energy has ranked Superpower the top development program among its peers the last two years.
Superpower would receive $2.3 million and SCCC would receive $1 million from the grant totaling $5 million.
“Union College is proud to partner with SuperPower and Schenectady County Community College to support the next generation of electrical transmission and distribution here and around the world,” said Roger H. Hull, president of Union.
“These funds will enable the partners to drive commercialization and workforce development at an accelerated pace – the critical component to ensure that SuperPower achieves a first-to-market competitive advantage,” said Superpower President Philip J. Pellegrino. “The partnership reflects what is possible when business, education and government share a common goal. The funds provided will enable SuperPower to hit commercialization milestones, continue our growth in the Capital District, and ultimately, provide technology solutions that help to meet the daunting global energy challenges we face.”
State Senator Hugh T. Farley, who led efforts to secure legislative funding for the project, described the collaboration as transformational and reflective of Schenectady's history of innovation. “This initiative is the 21st century equivalent of Thomas Edison's original investment in Schenectady,” he said. “Not only will the world's first production second-generation high temperature superconducting wire be manufactured in Schenectady, but the people who know how to design and build this leading-edge product will learn their skills in Schenectady. I am honored to help ensure Schenectady's position in the global high-technology community.”
“We couldn't be more pleased with this announcement,” said Gabriel J. Basil, president of SCCC. “The partnership with SuperPower and Union College affords us the opportunity to strengthen our own technology programs while pursuing an economic development initiative that holds great promise for Schenectady.”