The U.S. Congress has approved at least US$2.25 million for Michigan State University (MSU) in the U.S. to conduct research on nanotechnology-based composite materials for military and civilian air and ground vehicles. The article says that the research will be conducted at MSU’s new Vehicle Research Center and will be aimed at creating safer, lighter, more durable, and more environmentally sound vehicles. The article says that the Vehicle Research Center will focus on six research areas, including: low-cost multifunctional nanotechnology-based composites with thermal, electrical, fire, and self-healing properties; self-diagnosing composites that can detect structural flaws or damage; and biomimetics, the study of engineering and structures found in nature.
