The bonding bill approved by Governor Mark Dayton includes $28.3 million for UMD’s Chemistry and Advanced Materials Science (CAMS) Building.
Swenson Science of College and Engineering Dean Josh Hamilton says the CAMS building is needed to supplement the learning currently happening in the 70-year-old Chemistry Building, built for 300 students and now serving more than 5,500 students a year.
“We are delighted that the legislature has provided funding for this critical project, which will allow us to modernize and expand our education and applied research programs in all areas of science and engineering in order to meet the workforce and economic needs of Minnesota,” says Hamilton. “This will also provide the home for our new Advanced Materials Center and allow us to remain on the forefront of education and research in this rapidly emerging technology field."
Launched this year, the Advanced Materials Center is designed to train students in the emerging field of materials science– 3D printing, microelectronics, and new materials.
Construction is expected to begin late this summer and take almost two years.
In addition to the state money, the University of Minnesota will invest $14.1 million in the CAMS building.