Tom Still: Wisconsin’s academic R&D footprint includes energy and sustainability | Business News | madison.com
As universities and colleges nationwide prepare for what could be a major competition for federal research dollars, partnerships that set themselves apart from the pack may stand the best chance to emerge on top.In Wisconsin, look for public and private academic research centers — along with their industry partners — to focus on proposed National Science Foundation “tech hubs” where homegrown expertise and innovation is deepest. Biotechnology, genomics, certain aspects of computer science and advanced manufacturing are categories in which Wisconsin colleges and universities are historically strong.Another emerging area is sustainability, which for purposes of whatever federal research and development program eventually passes Congress may combine advanced energy technologies, biomaterials, water technology, natural resource management and generally preparing for the effects of climate change. It is spread across public and private sources. Here are some examples:
- Across the UW System, universities such as Stout, Superior, Parkside, Green Bay, River Falls and Stevens Point also conduct research in some sustainability field. In fact, it’s hard to find a campus that doesn’t offer some program.
