Today, Congressman Michael Burgess secured $4 million for Advanced Research and Technology Initiative (ARTI) at the University of North Texas in Denton. The funding comes from the fiscal year 2007 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The University of North Texas’s ARTI, formerly known as the Center for Advanced Research and Technology, is a research facility in microelectronics, optoelectronics, sensors, energy and informatics.

The relationship between UNT and DoD is already producing concrete results. For example, ARTI faculty developed advanced, flexible, nanocomposite environmental barrier materials for integration into flexible displays. The staff is also working on a variety of other technologies to enhance the lethality and survivability of the United States’ war fighter. These include autonomous sensor arrays for non line-of-sight targeting in urban environments, large area multi-wavelength flexible emitters for use as phototherapy bandages, non-linear optical materials for infrared imaging and 3D photonic crystals for next generation high energy batteries.

“The University of North Texas had the foresight and drive to become an integral player in advancing technology that helps not only our overall national security but also improves our everyday lives,” commented U.S. Representative Michael Burgess.

The University’s goal is to provide the capabilities necessary to satisfy the growing technological and engineering needs of the North Texas region and for the talented faculty to advance research on projects of national importance associated with nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the link to better products from stain-resistant pants and improved optics to creating lighter-weight, but strong security vests for our soldiers.

“Every fiscal year I am committed to securing funding so North Texas remains at the heart of research and technological advancements,” said Congressman Michael Burgess.

Rep. Michael Burgess’ fiscal year 2007 request will allow the partnership between DoD and UNT to complete ARTI infrastructural development and finalize it’s mission of becoming a regional and national defense research and development force. The facilities are multi-user in nature allowing ARTI to form an “umbrella” of capabilities for faculty researchers in order for them to pursue competitive research support in interdisciplinary areas of expertise in areas vital to national security. The ARTI facility serves as a focal point for basic and applied research and is the first high-tech, entrepreneurial research and development park in Denton County, one of the fastest growing communities in the United States.

The fiscal year 2007 Department of Defense Appropriations bill will now go through the Senate. After the Senate completes their work on the bill, a conference will be conducted to negotiate differences between the House and Senate language. All allocations are based on the language in the final passed conference report.

The Department of Defense Appropriations Act contains more than $1 billion less in earmarks than last year’s bill and $2.7 billion less than last year’s conference report. Among other things, H.R. 5631, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007, will provide the following:

• $1.5 billion to develop improvised explosive device countermeasures;
• An additional $725 million for personnel force protection items, including body armor;
• Full funding for the 2.2 percent military pay raise, effective Jan. 1, 2007; and
• $500 million above the president’s request for National Guard equipment needs.

Overall Budgetary Highlights:

• Military Personnel - $84.9 billion
• Operation and Maintenance - $120.5 billion
• Procurement - $81.8 billion
• Research, Development, Test and Evaluation - $75.3 billion
• Ø Revolving and Management Funds - $2.4 billion
• Ø Emergency Wartime Appropriations - $50.0 billion