Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce that Mercer University has been awarded $116,349 in federal funds through the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research equipment that will help advance material science research and teaching. 

“I am glad to see the National Science Foundation helping support research that can have broad applications across several industries,” said Congressman Bishop. “Mercer University faculty and students are part of our country’s best and brightest. They will use this grant for precision tools to conduct cutting edge research that advances American manufacturing which adds to our economic strength and supports our national security. 

“The ultra-high accuracy digital microscope acquisition will promote multidisciplinary research for developing antimicrobial-coated materials. It will facilitate surface investigations on polymers and composites used in the automotive, marine, construction and aerospace industries and evaluate the benefits of coatings applied onto their surface,” said Dr. Dorina Mihut, Associate Professor at Mercer University. “Understanding and preventing erosion and abrasion is a serious concern for a variety of industries, including aerospace and the oil and gas industry. The digital microscope will facilitate fundamental studies of erosion, abrasion and their effects on materials’ surfaces.” 

Dr. Mihut added, “It will also significantly expand faculty and students’ experimental participation to multiple research projects and training from mechanical, biomedical, environmental, and civil engineering, broadening the participation of underrepresented groups.”

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that invests 25% of federal funding into American universities to drive innovation and advancement of the sciences.