WILMINGTON, Del. - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today praised Delaware’s ongoing leadership role in space-age research and development after two separate University of Delaware education research programs were tapped by NASA this week to do research through its Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). 

“Every time I learn about another Delaware innovation finding application in the space sciences, I get filled with pride about our state’s extraordinary potential,” Senator Coons said Friday. “After working for eight years at one of Delaware’s most innovative materials-based science companies, I know well that the First State is an ideal place for advanced science research. Clearly, so does NASA. Researchers in Delaware are not only highly skilled and well educated, but that they have an established reputation as pioneers in space science research. I applaud NASA for recognizing the cutting edge research being done here in our state. ”  

The first project, developed by University of Delaware Chemical Engineering Professor Norman Wagner, would make space suits even safer.  Wagner created a thickening fluid that can be spread on materials like Kevlar to make the suits more puncture-resistant. ILC Dover, which designs and produces space suits for NASA, will collaborate on this research project titled, “Flexible, MMOD- and Puncture-Resistant Shear Thickening Fluid/Textile Composites for EVA Suits.”

For a photo of Senator Coons with Professor Wagner at “UD in DC Day” in March, click here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/senatorchriscoons/5513004292/in/set-72157626107098569

A second research project, headed by University of Delaware Physics and Astronomy Professor John Xiao, will take advantage of cutting-edge physics to allow scientists to see things in a more detailed manner than they have ever been able to see before.  This project is titled, “Sub-wavelength structures based on metamaterials and spintronic device for microwave detection and imaging.”

Each of the University of Delaware research project will receive EPSCoR Research Awards in the amount of $750,000. EPSCoR Research Awards solicit topic-specific proposals addressing high-priority NASA research and technology development needs.

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