This Academic Research Facilities Modernization Program (ARFMP) award from the Research Facilities Office provides funds to the University of Detroit for the renovation and repair of the Chemistry Building which houses the research and research training activities of the Chemistry Department. This building was constructed in 1926 and last renovated in 1965. The ARFMP grant of $200,000 and $254,400 provided by the grantee as cost sharing will be used to modernize these research and research training facilities. This project will address the need to improve the current research infrastructure by modifying the space, electrical and ventilation systems, and the hood capacity and other furnishings of three outdated laboratory areas. These modifications will result in the creation of three new laboratories meeting current health and safety standards which will be used for (1) chemical characterization and testing, (2) physical measurement and computation, and (3) polymer synthesis. This award contributes to the infrastructure of science and engineering by providing an improved environment for the conduct of research and for the training of undergraduate and graduate students in a department with a particular commitment to local outreach programs that are making a clear impact upon the recruitment of students, including minority students, into chemistry. The renovation will encourage gifted minority students to go into the fields of science and engineering at the University of Detroit which has a significant enrollment of Black students.
