In early 2006, over 40 top scientists gathered to form a statewide science and engineering joint initiative to recommend a state wide partnership in Nano-Science and Nano-Engineering called “Nano-System Foundry” with the following three thrusts including: Sensor and Devices, Nanoscale Materials and Nanoscale Structures and Nano-bio. The three thrusts became the Center for Interdisciplinary Discovery via Engineered Nanofabrication (CIDEN), the newest RII Center created by the NSF RII-3 proposal. In this 15 million dollar, 5 year cooperative agreement, there will be four Centers of Excellence, an outreach initiative, and a partnership program. The RII-3 is a statewide effort is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the state of Alabama in research and research-based education, increase the competitiveness of Alabama researchers, and share resources and strengths. As in the past, each center will subcontract to other institutions in the state. The list is as follows:

CIDEN
The Center for Interdisciplinary Discovery via Engineered Nanofabrication (CIDEN) will develop new nanostructured materials with enhanced thermal, physical, mechanical and biodegradable properties. CIDEN will bring individual university resources together to better advance the science of multi-functional nano-composites and structures, nano-bio devices, and nano-systems and serve as the over arching center merging the talents across the state as the other three centers graduate.

CIDEN TEAM
Dr. Matthew Edwards (Center Director), Alabama A&M University
Drs. Lindquist, J. English Elsamadicy, Guo and Coe, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Drs. C. Lawson, G. Gray, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Dr. Greg Thompson, The University of Alabama
Dr. C. Awaah, Tuskegee University

CECST
The Center for Environmental Cellular Signal Transduction will examine macro- and micro-environmental effects of natural and anthropogenic origin on organismal responses using a multi-tiered approach involving microbial, invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant model systems.

CECST TEAM
Dr. Frank Bartol (Center Director), Auburn University
Dr. Michelle Corley, Tuskegee University
Dr. Khairy Soliman, Alabama A&M University
Dr. David Allison, University of Alabama at Birmingham

COSS
The Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies will study new optical sensing and spectroscopy techniques for environmental, biomedical, and natural security applications.

COSS TEAM
Dr. Chris Lawson (Center Director), University of Alabama at Birmingham
Dr. Robert Lindquist, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Dr. Robert Pitt, The University of Alabama

ACNM
The Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials will develop new nanostructured materials with enhanced thermal, physical, mechanical and biodegradable properties.

ACNM TEAM
Dr. Mahesh Hosur (Center Director), Tuskegee University
Dr. Virginia Davis, Auburn University
Dr. Anwarul Haque, The University of Alabama
Dr. Kuang-Ting Hsiao, University of South Alabama
Dr. Uday K. Vaidya, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Dr. Robert Zimmerman, Alabama A&M University

AEOI
The Alabama EPSCoR Outreach Initiative will work with the four Centers of Excellence, the Graduate Research Scholars Program, (GRSP); the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, (LSAP); Teacher Enhancement Awards, (TEA); the Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative, (AMSTI); Engineering Math Advancement Program, (E-MAP); Science on Saturday; Science in Motion; and Math/Science Circles to provide programs to teachers and K-12 students focusing on basic skills to develop interest and pursuit of study and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Of particular interest will be the development of minority groups and those with disabilities.

AEOI TEAM
Dr. Karen Boykin (Center Director), The University of Alabama
Drs. Scott Carter, Visily Prokhorov, and Cornelius Pillen, University of South Alabama
Dr. Xhigang Xiao, Alabama A&M University
Dr. Shaik Jeelani, Tuskegee University
Drs. Jim Gleason, Aaron Kuntz and Sam Evers, The University of Alabama

RII Partnership
This funding will provide opportunities for GRSP students to experience other labs across the state, to partner with the Puerto Rico CREST Program a the University or Puerto Rico to enhance Hispanic minority involvement.