National Science Foundation awards UT $210,000

Money for three-year physics research project

By Blade Staff

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) today announced the award of $210,000 to the University of Toledo for a three-year project to build on the recent success of quantum defect theories for atom-atom and ion-atom interactions.

The annual National Science Foundation award of $70,000 for the project titled "Quantum Theories of Fundamental Atomic and Molecular Interactions” begins this month and extends through 2019, with an annual review.

“Admittedly I’m not one to fully understand the meaning of the terms ‘quantum defect theories’ or ‘anisotropic interactions,’” Miss Kaptur said. “But I do understand that The University of Toledo has an excellent faculty, many of whom are engaged in fascinating and groundbreaking research. Given the competition for funds from the National Science Foundation, this is another indication that The University of Toledo is a highly-respected institution, with an exciting future.”

The National Science Foundation supports research, innovation, and discovery that provides the foundation for economic growth in this country.

Miss Kaptur is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, which has funding responsibilities and oversight over the National Science Foundation.

Bo Gao, UT physics professor and project leader, is eager to use this research funding to make new advances in understanding how atoms and molecules interact.

“We need much more investments in both the research and the education of fundamental atomic and molecular physics to bring about future revolutions in science, including those in biology and medicine,” Dr. Gao said in a prepared statement.

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