WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced that in the first month of the 118th Congress, $1,037,800 in federal funding has been allocated for research projects at UMass Lowell. The funding, provided through the National Science Foundation, will support two STEM projects currently underway at the university.
“UMass Lowell has emerged as an international research leader thanks to the leadership and hard work of Chancellor Chen and researchers like Carreon and Ahmadzadeh. I couldn’t be prouder to see this substantial federal investment that will support two important research projects that will contribute meaningfully to our greater understanding of chemistry and advanced robotics,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “As a staunch advocate for increased National Science Foundation funding, I look forward to working with Chancellor Chen and our great UMass Lowell researchers to ensure additional federal funding like this continues making its way to our district’s flagship research university.”
“It is advances like those led by Maria and Reza – members of our talented faculty – that place UMass Lowell at the forefront of not only research endeavors but in strengthening the nation’s economy and improving the quality of life locally and across the nation,” said Chancellor Chen. “We are thankful for the continued support of Congresswoman Trahan who during her many visits to campus has witnessed firsthand the innovation and research which make UMass Lowell a top-tier research institution.”
The first award grants $538,659 to “CAREER: Cold plasma intensified perovskite membrane technology for CO2 utilization,” a project aiming to reach energy-efficient and flexible chemical processing conditions. In Assistant Professor Maria Carreon’s project, plasma catalysis will be investigated as a more sustainable alternative to dry methane reforming. This technology could potentially expand employment and business opportunities in this field. More information available HERE.
Over the next five years, said Carreon, “specific emphasis will be given to the conversion of greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4.”
The second award of $499,164 will fund a project titled “CAREER: Robot Learning of Complex Tasks via Skill Reusability and Refinement.” The project, under the leadership of Assistant Professor Reza Ahmadzadeh, will create advanced robots capable of performing complex household and workplace tasks. The technology leverages human-robot interaction to learn how to complete tasks like loading a dishwasher or changing a lightbulb. More information available HERE.
“Existing work has enabled robots to replicate simple manipulation tasks,” explained Ahmadzadeh. “However, learning complex tasks such as loading a dishwasher, grocery shopping or changing a lightbulb – tasks that can assist those who need help with everyday tasks – demands algorithmic advancements.”
Thanking Congresswoman Trahan for her support, he added: “This project will contribute new theoretical methods and algorithms that will advance complex robotic learning in unstructured environments and lead to the development of robot systems that can help people in their homes, at work and in society.
Congresswoman Trahan has consistently supported increased funding for the National Science Foundation throughout her time in Congress. Last year, she voted to provide $9.54 billion in funding for NSF, a $700.2 million increase from 2021 and a $1.465 billion increase from when she first took office.
