BINGHAMTON, NY – Binghamton University today opened two new laboratories at the New York State Center of Excellence in Small Scale Integration and Packaging (S3IP) in a ceremony attended by elected officials, local leaders, and university representatives.  The ceremony celebrated the opening of the Center for Autonomous Solar Power’s (CASP) solar laboratory and the colocation of the Integrated Electronics Engineering Center’s (IEEC) reliability and failure analysis laboratory. Both laboratories are housed in the Biotechnology Building at Binghamton University’s Innovative Technologies Complex (ITC).

CASP is a national leader in the research and development of new thin film solar cells.  Its new laboratory will focus on using inexpensive, non-toxic and abundant materials to develop new solar cell and energy storage technologies.  The Integrated Electronics Engineering Center (IEEC) conducts cutting-edge research in electronics packaging and provides the results to affiliated companies.  The newly relocated Reliability and Failure Analysis Laboratory provides expertise in electronics packaging.

“Binghamton has a strong research tradition that is crucial to the growth of the University and our region,” said Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger. “These new laboratories provide us with world-class facilities and usher in an era of collaboration and partnerships that will expand the future of our region, and act as a catalyst to reinvent and enhance the technology focus of the Southern Tier.”

Supporting the new CASP facility is $8.5 million in federal funding secured by US Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand, and US Representative Maurice D. Hinchey.

“Binghamton University has secured its place on the map as a prestigious research center,” said Schumer. “The Center for Autonomous Solar Power enhances that tradition and is a perfect combination of the top-notch faculty and facilities Binghamton is known for. I am pleased we delivered critical resources that will not only create the next generation of solar technology, but also boost to the region’s economy. There is no doubt the University has a bright future.”

Offering new opportunities to develop innovative electronics, the labs will boost Binghamton University’s ability to serve as the nexus of faculty research and industry needs.

“As we celebrate the opening of two new laboratories at Binghamton University’s Center of Excellence in Small Scale Integration and Packaging (S3IP), we are witnessing world-class research and development right here in the Southern Tier, launching us into the next generations of innovative technologies, “ said Gillibrand. “This successful partnership between government, the University and industry leaders will help to grow the economy in the region and to further advance future initiatives.”

An integral part of the S3IP, the labs will bring together government, academia, and industry partners to collaborate in areas such as electronics, healthcare and energy – all of which have national and global impact.

“The research that will be done within these walls has the potential to reshape our energy future,” said Hinchey. “Changing the way we produce and consume energy is an environmental, economic, and national security imperative.  That's why it is so critically important that our government make substantial investments in laboratories just like this one at Binghamton University. I am very pleased I was able to secure $8.5 million in federal funding to help get this laboratory up and running and am so proud of the early successes of CASP.  I know it's just the beginning of many great achievements that will happen at this new facility.”

The opening of the labs was met with enthusiasm from the Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), which supports S3IP and it's initiatives.

“The Center for Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging is a proven innovation leader," said Ed Reinfurt, director of NYSTAR. “These labs will build on that track-record of supplying systems integration and packaging expertise to industry and play a major role in ensuring that New York remains a leader in high-technology academic research and economic development.”