TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — On Thursday, Sept. 7, Governor Katie Hobbs joins University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins in announcing a new $30 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
The university will use this funding to create a new innovation center, known as the New Frontiers of Sound Science and Technology Center.
Researchers specializing in fields within the advanced technology industry — like topological acoustics, where sound properties are studied for their potential to improve computing and telecommunications — will eventually be able to conduct work from this new facility.
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"We all know technologies such as the loudspeaker or the microphone, but we also use sound for sensing environments, such as with sonar and ultrasound medical imaging, and for data transmission and processing every day in your smartphone," said center director and project principal investigator Pierre Deymier, a University of Arizona professor of materials science and engineering.
"However, the quiet revolution advancing sound science and technology is afoot. And that is where the new center comes in," Deymier said.
The field of topological acoustics can be applied not only to traditional technologies that utilize sound, but also fields such as environmental science and medicine.
"This monumental announcement once again demonstrates Arizona's strong position leading the nation in technological innovation," said Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs. "We see society's biggest challenges as a chance to innovate, problem solve and forge new horizons, and our public universities like the University of Arizona are a key part of making that happen."
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Austin "AJ" Janos is a producer for KGUN 9. He graduated in 2022 from the University of Arizona where he worked at UATV3 while attending college. Share your story ideas and important issues with AJ by emailing aj.janos@kgun9.com.
